5 Holistic Practices I do for Crohn’s

It wasn’t until about four years after being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease that I became interested in approaching treatment holistically. 

For the first four years, I only saw a gastroenterologist and was trying medications through trial and error. I wasn’t improving, and quite frankly in some ways, I felt like I was getting worse.

I did not grow up in a house that practiced natural or holistic medicine. If we had a headache, we reached for the Tylenol. If I got sick, I went to the doctor and received whatever prescription that was prescribed. We ate a typical American Standard Diet and the idea of using food as medicine was definitely foreign.

Naturally, when I got sick, I reached out to a gastroenterologist and blindly followed his directions.  I was told diet had nothing to do with Crohn’s and that I simply needed to try medication and find the one that would give me relief.

Well after four years of feeling like a hamster running round and round on a hamster wheel, I decided to reach out to a Holistic Doctor. It was the first time that I was educated on diet, stress, and even environmental factors that could affect my health.

My eyes were truly opened for the first time. I needed to treat my body by looking at it as a whole rather than just dissecting it into parts. In order to heal, I needed to not only heal physically but also mentally and spiritually.

Here are 5 things I implemented that gave me results:

1. Therapy to support Crohn's disease management

I HIGHLY suggest finding a therapist and doing sessions at least twice a month to start. This was a huge game-changer for me.  Little did I realize, I had many traumas from childhood and adolescence that I needed to work out.  With the help of my therapist, I was able to heal these old wounds.

Now, you may think this is a bit of a stretch, but I am a firm believer that these traumas if left unhealed can certainly affect our physical health. It is a scientific fact that stress can cause disease. And stress can come in the form of trauma. So definitely consider healing emotional wounds, as it can certainly impact your health in a positive way!

2. Diet changes with Crohn's disease

When I was first diagnosed, I was told that diet had nothing to do with Crohn’s. Well, over the 9 years of living with this diagnosis, I beg to differ.

Diet, in my opinion, is a key component to induce healing of the gut. When I saw my Holistic Doctor, he immediately told me to avoid all wheat products like the plague. And to stay away from sugar and dairy. It was the first time, I started to see relief!

3. Success with essential oils/CBD oil

I was introduced to essential oils by a family member and I haven’t looked back. I find that diffusing oils brings me so much relief. Not only do oils have exceptional physical benefits to the body, but they also promote emotional and mental benefits. They relieve stress and promote calming of the mind.

In addition, I also use CBD oil. Such a great tool for lowering inflammation and helping with sleep and pain!

4. Prayer and spirituality with Crohn's

Some may not agree, but I believe that it is important to consider our spirit when it comes to our overall well-being. When was the last time you prayed or meditated?

Truly, if you commit to a daily practice of meditation you will find that your stress levels decrease. And guess what, less stress has a positive physical effect on our body! Stress promotes disease. So don’t forget to fortify and strengthen your spirit.

5. Exercise makes me feel better as well

I love low-impact workouts. Stretching is one of my favorite things to do. I also love yoga. It is easy on the joints and promotes flexibility, strength, and mental focus. I do some sort of low-impact exercise at least 4-5 times a week. Every time I finish a workout, I ALWAYS feel better.

What about you? What holistic approaches do you take to better your health? Share below, we love to hear from you!