When it comes to scoliosis treatments, the focus is largely on the physical body from a structural standpoint. In this post, I’ll be sharing my scoliosis food philosophy and why it is a necessary component of a scoliosis treatment plan.
As for the history of food and nourishing the body, soul, and mind, I view cuisine and sharing meals to be a unifying practice that brings people together setting them up for being the best version of themselves. Food can be comforting, satisfying, thought-provoking and evoke a whole myriad of emotions, thoughts and feelings. An unbalanced relationship with food can be the root of health issues in some cases as well as the cornerstone for healing in others. Realizing food can be so many things ranging from delightful to fear-inducing makes it even more apparent just how important it is to respect, appreciate and understand how to utilize it for our health. Food is about a lot more than just eating, it’s about community. Think of a time when you shared a meal with someone new. Did you feel closer to them afterward? Food is a major component of our social lives. And for this reason, it cannot and should not be boring, deprived or taken for granted.
Scoliosis and Food
I am currently learning how to use food to heal my body. I did a ‘gut reset’ last September where I was on a very strict organic whole food regimen and cooked all my meals at home. Through that process, I learned how my body responds to what I put in it and just how boldly it communicates when it is not pleased. As I mentioned in my post about my surgery, I felt like there was a missing piece to my scoliosis healing. In the past, I have knowingly been chronically dehydrated and unknowingly been experiencing poor nutrient absorption. After reading many books and diagnosing my food sensitivities, I finally feel like I’m on the right track. I had no idea I was experiencing systemic inflammation until it all went away. I literally went down two, yes TWO, pants sizes. The weight loss was an undesirable side effect, but I am working on putting it back on in a healthy way.
Food should be easy. Not everyone is, nor should they be required to be, trained in the science of food and nutrition. However, I believe we are each responsible for understanding our body’s unique needs and, with the right tools, this comes from within. Individuals with scoliosis may share a similarity in deficiencies that lead to the structural condition. This is something I’m very curious to explore further to identify trends.
Looking at my health over the span of three decades now, it is much easier to see what my body was saying and where my nutrient intake was off balance. If we focus on the way our body communicates to us through the foods we put in it we begin to create a relationship with ourselves in a deeply loving way.
The Healing Journey
Along with healthy movement, I believe that the key to successful scoliosis treatment is to protect the body through:
- Elimination of exposure to negative environmental influences (i.e. pesticides, toxic chemicals)
- Healing the body through a restorative gut regimen high in fruits, vegetables and clean meats
- Identifying and addressing nutrient deficiencies
- Finding joy in activities that get you moving in a way that is pleasing to your spirit
What are your thoughts on food as a vehicle for healing? In what ways have you put this into practice?
2 Comments
C Port
I can’t say that I’ve tried to do a gut reset [yet] but I am curious about what can be learned from it. Perhaps that is something Ben and I will try this year. We’ve tried to integrate more organic, whole foods to our diet but we would still have far to go. I definitely think that clean, conscious eating that is homemade brings a lot of joy into our lives. It’s also more cost-effective and I find it to be very relaxing. I know that it’s easy to fall into the trap of cooking just for the sake of getting something in your stomach rather than reflecting on your food, but it’s worth the time. I think it just requires the desire and dedication to slow down for such things.
Carlyn
C Port, I love this comment!! Are you familiar with intuitive eating? I listened to the audiobook version of this: Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Program that Works
It sounds like you’re on that path right now of appreciating and savoring nutritious wholesome foods. I agree with you that it sparks joy in a way that I just don’t get from my old habits of eating fast and eating convenient. I’ll write a post about the different gut cleanses I’ve read about and what resonated with me. What is your favorite dish to cook? I agree that cooking is super relaxing. Especially with some soft piano music from Spotify playing in the background.