Part 6: Spirituality, Social Justice, & Health – 44 Revelations About Healing They DID NOT Teach Me In Medical School

In this series, I am reviewing the Cliff Notes of everything that should have been taught in medical school but wasn’t. I will also share what I have learned about healing through my own research and self-study since completing my medical training. If you haven’t read the first 10 revelations about healing that were not covered in medical school, please refer to Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5.

35. Spirituality and Healing

Spirituality can play a role in facilitating healing. However, it is important to be aware of the concept of “spiritual bypassing,” which can hinder the healing process. True healing requires the expression of pent-up or repressed emotions, including anger, grief, sadness, jealousy, and other difficult feelings. A healthy spiritual practice should not bypass these emotions or ignore the need to address trauma. Instead, it should foster nervous system regulation through comforting beliefs, nurturing care from safe spiritual communities, experiences of awe and wonder, and a sense of belonging and value.

For trauma survivors, spirituality can help them feel good enough, loved enough, and safe enough. It allows them to tap into the unconditional love of their higher self and connect with a larger cosmic source, leading to a deeper understanding of their true selves. However, problems arise when religious or New Age spiritual beliefs are used to suppress emotions and justify conflict avoidance. This can prevent healing and negatively impact one’s health.

Author Robert Augustus Masters, PhD, describes this phenomenon as “spiritual bypassing,” which includes emotional detachment, repression, overemphasis on the positive, fear of anger, excessive compassion, weak boundaries, imbalanced development, self-judgment, devaluation of personal experiences, and illusions of higher being.

In cases of narcissistic abuse, spiritual bypassing is often used to avoid facing psychological and physical dangers. It can also manipulate spiritual seekers into idolizing narcissistic spiritual leaders, who abuse their power without being held accountable. This leads to retraumatization within religious and spiritual communities.

36. Social Justice and True Spirituality

Engagement with social justice at the social and political level is an essential aspect of true spirituality. Many religions and spiritual communities falsely claim superiority over others, using religion and spirituality as a means of oppression. However, genuine spirituality is free from dogma and does not oppress anyone. Christian nationalists and New Agers associated with Q-Anon are not truly spiritual; they are oppressors who use spiritual bypassing techniques to subjugate those they perceive as inferior.

37. Spirituality and Human Rights

A healthy spirituality always stands for human rights and social justice for all. Any spirituality that upholds oppression, discrimination, or harm in the name of religion or spirituality is, in fact, abusive and not true spirituality. As Dr. Paul Farmer said, “The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong with the world.” Genuine spirituality aligns with Dr. Farmer’s perspective.

38. Healing Individuals and Systems

Healing an individual cannot be separated from healing the systems that contribute to their illness. It is a fallacy to believe that an individual can heal on their own without considering the impact of larger systems. While personal efforts to heal are important, true healing involves addressing collective trauma and transforming the political and systemic structures that perpetuate harm.

As long as oppressive systems such as white supremacy, sexism, and extractive capitalism continue to harm individuals and the planet, individual healing can only go so far. Wellness culture often places the burden of healing solely on individuals, disregarding the trauma caused by systemic oppression. It is crucial to acknowledge the unearned privileges that are often overlooked when discussing healing.

39. Group Healing

Group healing is a spiritual practice that can yield mysterious results. When safe and non-oppressive groups come together with the intention of healing and bonding, remarkable healing can occur. Adding art, music, ritual, beauty, and other trauma-supportive practices to group experiences can amplify the healing effect. Researchers refer to this as the “mega-placebo effect,” while religious individuals may view it as “miracles.” For example, groups of pilgrims gathering at places like Lourdes in France may experience healing, not solely due to the physical location, but also because of the collective intention to heal and support one another.

40. The Power of Circles

Healing does not happen in isolation or within hierarchical power structures. Indigenous communities and groups like the Quakers have long recognized that healing occurs within circles of humans. Circles create an equalizing force that facilitates shared power rather than power over dynamics. Hierarchies impede healing, while circles promote it. Michael Lerner of Commonweal describes a healing circle as anything that touches the heart and guides individuals on their path. Conventional medical systems often operate within hierarchical structures, with doctors at the top and patients at the bottom. However, such hierarchies hinder healing and should be replaced with circle-based structures that protect individuals from oppressive leadership.

41. Contagious Life Force

The life force within a group can be contagious and serve as a powerful force for healing. The more connected and bonded a group is, the greater the potential for group life force to facilitate healing. Group bonding can be fostered through activities such as singing, dancing, rituals, trauma healing, artistic expression, and engaging in spiritual practices together. Cults can be attractive because they offer this kind of group bonding experience. However, it is essential to engage in group bonding without falling into hierarchical power structures or relinquishing critical thinking. True healing occurs when individuals can heal together in a non-oppressive, non-coercive environment while retaining their autonomy and ability to challenge leadership.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is holistic medical opposite?

Holistic medicine examines the whole person and all its aspects. Holistic medicine is based upon the belief that all illnesses must have multiple causes. Therefore, it requires a combination treatment to maximize effectiveness.

Holistic medicine doctors believe that prevention is more effective than treatment. To achieve optimal wellness, holistic medicine doctors work closely alongside their patients.

They work to find the root cause of disease and prevent it recurring. Holistic doctors look at the whole body, not just the organs. Holistic physicians often refer to the whole being as “the Body”.

This means they see beyond the skin and treat your body holistically. The doctor may suggest lifestyle and diet changes. He may also suggest meditation or yoga exercises, herbal supplements, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, or other forms of alternative medicine.

What is Alternative Medicine, and how can it help you?

It is an approach to healing that focuses on prevention rather than cure. It encourages consumers to become educated and active in improving their well-being.

Alternative medicine refers to any system of diagnosis and treatment that does not employ allopathic (conventional) medical practices.

Which types of treatment are not considered part of holistic medicine?

Holistic medicine treats the whole person, not the symptoms. It aids in the recovery of illness by promoting good health and preventing future ones.

Holistic medicine is a natural alternative to drugs and surgery.

Holistic medicine is a lifestyle change that includes exercise, diet, yoga, meditation, breathing exercises and massage.

Holistic medicine is often called integrative medicine because it integrates all aspects of a patient’s physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual needs into one comprehensive care plan.

Holistic medicine emphasizes early detection and prevention of disease, and promotes healthy lifestyles.

Holistic doctors believe that there is no single cause for any given condition. Holistic doctors instead look at the whole person, including genetic factors and environmental influences, lifestyle choices, personal habits, and lifestyle choices.

Holistic practitioners are more concerned with the mind, emotions, or spirit than they are about the body.

Holistic physicians collaborate closely with their patients in order to determine the best fit for each individual.

What are the five domains of integrative medical care?

Integrative medicine encompasses five domains: mind-body; nutrition; social determinants; lifestyle and prevention. These five areas are concerned with all aspects, including the physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

Integrative medicine aims to provide a comprehensive approach to addressing overall health, wellness, and disease treatment. It includes conventional medical treatments and complementary therapies such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation, massage therapy, herbal medicine, chiropractic care, nutritional counseling, and biofeedback.

Why is holistic healing better?

Holistic health care is about treating the whole person, not individual symptoms. This means looking at how someone feels, what they eat, where they live, how much stress they are under etc…

Holistic medicine treats patients as an integrated whole. It may sound simple, but in practice, this approach is very difficult to achieve because most doctors focus solely on the physical side of patients.

What is the difference between holistic and alternative medicine?

Holistic medicine treats the whole person: body, mind, spirit, and soul. Holistic medicine examines every aspect of a person’s health. It also considers spiritual, physical, and environmental factors that may be overlooked by traditional medicine. Alternative medicine is used to treat conditions like arthritis, asthma, and allergies.

Statistics

A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)
category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

How To

What are the main 4 categories of complementary and/or alternative medicine?

The main four categories of CAM include mind-body medicines, natural products and manipulative therapy. Mind-body medicine can include yoga, meditation and Tai Chi. Natural products can include herbs, vitamins and minerals, dietary supplement, and botanicals. Manipulative therapy includes physical manipulation, such as chiropractic and osteopathic care, acupuncture and therapeutic exercise. You can also use prayer and visualization to help you heal your energy.

CAM refers to a variety of health practices that are not in line with Western medical models. There are many differences in the scientific support for these practices, including whether they involve drugs and surgery, as well as which conditions they treat. Some CAM professionals also perform diagnostic testing, such as blood tests, and prescribe medication. Some practitioners do both.

Each category has many subcategories in addition to the four main categories. For example, within mind-body medicine, there are relaxation techniques, mindfulness training, guided imagery, self-hypnosis, yoga, qigong, Tai chi, deep breathing exercises, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, stress management, biofeedback, and visualization. Natural products are nutritional supplements, botanical medicines, homeopathic remedies, essential oils, probiotics, nutraceuticals, herbal preparations, medicinal plants, and teas. Manipulative therapies include manual, movement, traction, electrotherapies, cupping, stretching, soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, orthopedics, and neurostimulation. Spiritual healing can be done through prayer or faith healing.

Many CAM therapies treat symptoms, but not the cause. Some chronic conditions may benefit from CAM. If used properly, CAM can be combined with conventional treatments.

There are many reasons that people use CAM.

To improve their overall wellbeing.
To manage a particular condition.
To relieve pain or discomfort.
To prevent illness.
To promote wellness.
To address a personal belief.

Some people prefer CAM over conventional medicine because they feel it provides more control over the health of their bodies. Some may feel it has less side effects. Others opt for CAM to avoid prescription medication. Some people prefer not to use pharmaceuticals. Some people seek out CAM to avoid having to repeat the same mistakes they had with traditional medicine.

Some people who use CAM want to know what they are doing before they try something new. Many CAM users have questions about safety and effectiveness. Others rely more on word of mouth recommendations from their family members and friends.

Although CAM is sometimes viewed negatively in society, many users have positive feelings about it. People who use CAM are happier and healthier than those who don’t. This holds true regardless of gender, age, race, religion, income level, occupation, insurance status or any other factors.

An overwhelming majority of Americans are familiar with some form of complementary or alternative medicine. 95% of adults use CAM at least once in their lives. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health(NCCIH), there were approximately 40 million visits to CAM providers between 2010 and 2010.

According to the NCCIH estimate, 10% of the U.S. Population uses chiropractors.

The American Medical Association has reaffirmed its support to integrative medicine in 2013, It recognized that doctors must “integrate scientifically valid alternative and complementary medicine into clinical practices…to meet patients’ needs.”

In 2007, the Institute of Medicine published a landmark report called “Relaxing Constraints: Improving Access to Complementary and Alternative Healthcare.” The report concluded that “there is no credible evidence that any specific CAM intervention is effective for preventing, treating, or curing cancer.”

CAM continues its popularity despite the fact that it has been proven to be very popular. 2008 saw a 8 percent increase in the number of CAM professionals compared to 2007.

Recent research found that nearly half of respondents used CAM in their primary healthcare routine.

CAM therapies may include natural products and mind-body practices as well as manipulative techniques, energy healing, modalities, exercise, and dietary supplements.

Many CAM treatments are used primarily for pain relief. However, they can also be used to improve mood, sleep quality, stress reduction, and immunity.

Acupuncture can, for example help with chronic back pain, anxiety and depression, improve immune function as well as promote weight loss.

Many CAM treatments have roots in Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Traditional Chinese medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which originated in China 5,000 years back, has been practiced in China ever since.

It was not until the mid-1800s when Western science began to gain prominence, but TCM remains an important element of health care today.

TCM is used for treatment by more than 70% of Americans today.

Yoga is another popular CAM remedy. Yoga originated in India around 5000 B.C. It is now accepted all over the world.

Yoga is gaining popularity because of its many benefits, including spiritual, mental and physical.

Yoga can relieve stress, improve flexibility, and increase strength.

Yoga has been shown to improve sleep33, even though there is not much scientific evidence. It may also be beneficial for insomnia sufferers.

Other CAM therapies such as aromatherapy, meditation, and homeopathy are also being accepted by mainstream medicine.

The most widely used CAM today is herbal medicine.

Herbal medicines can include herbs, spices, plants, seeds and fruits as well as bark, leaves, roots, stems, and other medicinal substances.

These drugs are frequently considered safer than pharmaceutical drugs and are popularly used by consumers.

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health estimates that about 90 million Americans use some form of complementary/alternative medicine.

The American Cancer Society reports that 45% (or more) of those diagnosed with cancer have used alternative medicines during their illness.

The National Institutes of Health estimates that 60% of patients with cancer use CAM, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 50% of all cancer survivors report using CAM.

According to a recent study 51% of cancer survivors used at least one type CAM.

However, only 8% of these individuals discussed this use with their physicians.

This communication gap between conventional medical providers, CAM users and traditional doctors is a major problem in healthcare delivery.

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