That symptom? It’s not in your head.

If you’ve ever had some nagging symptom, and no one seems to be able to help, this post is for you.

As a functional health coach, I’ve heard so many stories about what people are told when they talk about their symptoms or seek help from doctors or specialists.

It makes me very sad, and it never ceases to amaze me. They are told things like this:

· It’s all in your head, you’re fine.

· You’re such a hypochondriac.

· Your blood tests are normal. Nothing is wrong with you.

· This is just a part of getting old. Deal with it.

· Sometimes this just happens, and there’s nothing we can do about it.

· You’re just depressed.

· I’ve done everything I can to help you.

· I think you’re fine, but if you want me to humor you and send you to a specialist, I can.

· You need to get a hobby.

I had one client tell me, “I wake up every morning in pain.” Her doctor had told her that her bloodwork was normal and sent her on her way.

WAKING UP IN PAIN EVERY MORNING IS NOT NORMAL.

Neither is being bloated or gassy after you eat. Having tingling sensations in your limbs. Feeling constantly exhausted. Suffering from chronic aches and pains. Having cold hands and feet all the time. Losing your sex drive. Experience brain fog. Having migraines or chronic headaches. Dealing with skin issues. Suffering from depression or anxiety. Or just plain feeling like crap.

You are not fine if you have any kind of chronic health symptom. These things are a sign from your body that something is wrong. Some basic bodily function has been tripped up and has set off a cascade of problems that, over time, has caused your body to break down until a symptom finally reared its ugly head.

When you have a malfunction, it can be a slow process. Our bodies are very resilient. And they recover well from things. But over time, with repeated stresses (physical or emotional), we lose that resilience. Eventually, we can’t keep up with the repair.

A symptom (or something like an autoimmune marker) means that this process has been going on for a while under the radar. This is why once you have one health problem, others seem to crop up. Your body is breaking down.

If you’re lucky enough to have a great doctor who will truly listen to you, believe you, and help you not just treat the symptom, but work tirelessly to figure out what the root cause is – you will learn that your body actually has a great ability to heal itself.

If you are not that lucky, and you are told your symptoms are something you must live with – then you need to find another practitioner.

Run, don’t walk.

This is your health. Actually, it’s bigger than that. This is your life! And life is short enough as it is. So, please, don’t waste a second of it being made to feel that you are imagining your health symptoms. Or that you are just getting old and should learn to live with these things that affect your life every single day.

One of my family members has a rare autoimmune disorder, and a neurologist she was referred to said to her, “I have to be honest, I don’t know very much about this disease, so I’d ask if you can give me a few weeks before you set up an appointment so I can do some research and get up to speed on this so I can better help you.”

THAT is what you want. Knowledge is important, yes. But passion and tenacity are equally as important. As is open-mindedness. There is more than one way to skin a cat. You want the person who will look at all of the angles. Who is willing to learn and evolve if that’s what it takes to help you.

My best friend’s aunt used to tell us (regarding men) that, “You get what you settle for.” I think this is true of healthcare too. Don’t settle. I know people who have been suffering for years upon years because no one was willing to listen and then roll up their sleeves for them.

You’d be surprised how often people who have been told they are stuck with symptoms are later able to resolve them because they partnered with the right practitioner who took the time to find the root cause. I know, because I’ve been there. That’s why I pursued this path.

So, the message I’d like to leave you with is this:

Be your own champion. And never rest in doing so.

Find partners in your health journey that are passionate about helping you really get to the bottom of things so you can find (or fight!) your way back to health.

I promise, you are worth it.