So many times when sitting down with a new patient or occasionally an existing client, we often 
discuss some symptom that has existed for their whole life. Many report some issue since their teens, or even the single digits. I have had patients with “stomach problems” since childhood, and others with headaches practically since birth. Many state dismissively that they are used to it and have no expectation of any improvements. That’s when they often see my slight sly smile and give me back an inquisitive look. That’s generally when I say, “If I gave up on every problem people had for their whole life, I would be out of business, and they would still be suffering needlessly.” So many people have gotten over 20, 30, 40-plus years of health issues—from mundane and simple to extremely complex and debilitating. There is no reason to just settle and assume suffering is necessary.
Ridding the body of a chronic condition of 20-plus years certainly does take some work. Chronic health issues tend to spread from their original location to many areas of the body, involving even seemingly unrelated systems and functions. We must systematically assess the body from the physical, chemical and emotional perspectives. For example, with many of my chronic headache sufferers, there are physical tensions in the area of complaint, but it often spreads over the head, down the neck, into the shoulders, often into the arms, and even to the hands. Many physical tensions traverse the anterior of the neck and into the pectorals or chest area. In some cases, even the pelvis and legs can be part of the muscular complex associated with the headache. Beyond the physical aspect, many internal issues relate to headaches as well, such as chronic digestive problems; hormone imbalances; and chronic inflammatory conditions, such as autoimmune issues, like most thyroid problems. Lastly, stress, anxiety and other chronic emotional stresses can hyper-activate the nervous system, causing tightness and spasms throughout the neck and body.
In those suffering from chronic digestive problems, they often have muscle tightness and tension of the mid-to-lower back and shoulders. Anxiety is the most common emotional component to digestive problems, but there can also be anger and frustration. Internally, any of the body’s digestive organs, but often several, may have diminished function and be inflamed. The stomach, gall bladder, pancreas, liver, small intestines and large intestines may have changes in their functional abilities. Again, hormone imbalances, altered immune function, and even postural/physical changes may affect digestion.
Long-term issues may certainly be difficult to deal with, and many just decide to ignore and live with them. Others, however, have taken the journey of truly changing their health and freeing themselves of their lifelong problems. A systematic approach can uncover all the pieces to these nagging issues and unravel the plan to true vitality and wellness.
Source: Dr. David Pollack, of Pollack Wellness Institute (66 Commack Rd., Ste. 204, Commack). For more information, call 631-462-0801 or visit PollackWellness.com.
