What should I do first?
When we are trying to figure out how to address in imbalance in our health, it can be really hard to know where to start. This post is a re-print of an article I saved long ago, but have not been able to locate online since in this form. The principles outlined here have served me immensely throughout my years of practice. Enjoy!
The Six Steps of Healing
In the late 1970s, after studying scientific medicine, herbalism, various diets, homeopathy and more, herbalist and author Susun Weed became increasingly confused--in regard to healing--about what to do first. Once she phrased her question, she realized the reply: First, do no harm.
Weed began to group healing techniques and remedies based on the likelihood of a technique or remedy harming or even killing her. In her books, including Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year and The New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way, she describes The Six Steps of Healing, which outline a way to increase health and decrease harm. The Six Steps encourage us to connect with our body's wisdom and healing mechanisms and to address problems at their root. Here they are applied in the context of menstrual cramps:
Step 0: Do nothing. Weed describes this as "a vital, invisible step." She explains, "You must actively do no-thing." Essentially, Step 0 is about taking time for yourself. Unplugging your phone and your TV, meditating and resting are included in Step 0.
Step 1: Collect information. Talk with friends and health care providers, read, search the internet. Learn Fertility Awareness and chart your fertility signals--your waking temperature and cervical fluid. Keep a record of your questions and observations (e.g. Does eating less sugar affect my menstrual cramps?).
Step 2: Engage the energy. Notice what emotions come up around menstruation. Attend to your dreams. Write out a conversation between your period and you. Find out what it wants; find out what you want from your period and see if there's a happy medium. Take a bath or try a homeopathic remedy. Give thanks for your interest in your own wellness. Pick one remedy from Step 2, and set a time limit for working with it. Weed says it's vital to set time limits for every step. If your problem worsens, try another Step 2 remedy, or go on to Step 3.
Step 3: Nourish and tonify. Feed yourself well. Replace processed, sugary, fast-foods and drinks with freshly made, nutrient-rich meals. Prepare herbal infusions (which you can learn about from books or an herbalist). Keep your body and mind toned with regular physical activity. Take a yoga class. Grow some of your own food. Go for a walk. If your problem worsens or is not relieved within your time limit, add another Step 3 or go on to Step 4. (Muse's note: In my opinion, consultations and treatments I offer are "Step 3" due to the strong emphasis on self inquiry, personal habits and self care.)
Step 4: Sedate and stimulate. Acupuncture, chiropractic, Swedish massage, and most herbal tinctures fall into this category. Susun Weed cautions that "There is always risk of developing dependence on Step 4 remedies. Be aware of the frequency, dosage and duration of your treatments--and your time limits."
Step 5-A: Use supplements. In this step, Weed includes all concentrated, extracted, and synthesized substances--including vitamin and mineral supplements, standardized herbal tinctures, and all herbs in capsules. (Supplements can be synthesized or, if made from foods grown with pesticides, include concentrations of pesticides.)
Step 5-B: Use drugs. Over-the-counter and prescription drugs as well as all hormonal medications (including progesterone creams) are included in this step.
Step 6: Break and enter. Besides surgery, Weed includes psychotropic drugs, "fear-inspiring language," shots, diagnostic tests such as laparoscopy, and surgery in Step 6. "If all other steps fail and you are a woman with severe menstrual cramps," she says, "a hysterectomy is a reasonable choice."
Susun further explains, "When you do nothing, collect information, engage the energy, and nourish and tonify (Steps 0-3), then functioning and joy increase: you build health. True healing takes place in these early steps. Whether your problem is chronic or acute, Steps 0-3 (along with realistic expectations of the time healing takes) are worthy of your attention.
"Although the impulse in our culture is to jump to Step 4 or 5, each step up increases the possibility of severe side effects. While healing can and does take place with the aid of drugs and surgery, once you get to Step 5, you can damage or destroy health. Drugs might get rid of menstrual cramps, but they don't address the cause or nourish your body. Drugs mask symptoms. Even common over-the-counter drugs like aspirin can injure health. In the Wise Woman Tradition, symptoms are not enemies to be destroyed but cherished messengers who encourage us to take good care of ourselves."