The Missing Corner in Healthcare: Why We Need to Focus on True Healing

Life in Balance Issue # 88: Healing from Within: How the Mind, Body, and Emotions Hold the Key to Overcoming Chronic Illness.

In the face of chronic illnesses like back pain, eczema, diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, or even cancer, people often find themselves in a maze of questions: What is really causing my symptoms? Is it the food I eat, a lack of exercise, stress, or unresolved emotional pain? Many patients are left confused, fearful, and yearning for answers.

As a PhD student in Lifestyle Medicine, my mission is to bridge this gap in understanding. The current healthcare model, largely focused on disease management, has made incredible strides in treating symptoms and handling emergencies. However, it misses a crucial component: the deeper, root-cause approach to healing chronic illnesses. This is where the organ-mind-brain connection comes into play—a missing corner in healthcare that can transform the way we heal.

We live in a time when we must shift from a purely mechanical view of the body to one that recognizes the interconnectedness of our body, mind, emotions, and social environment. It's time to embrace a new paradigm—one that empowers individuals to take control of their health and healing.

Why We Need to Evolve Healthcare

The current healthcare system excels in acute care but struggles with chronic illness. We’ve focused too long on managing diseases rather than preventing them. In today’s health paradigm, practitioners treat symptoms—pain, high blood pressure, eczema, depression—without diving deeper into the why behind these ailments. As a result, we “mop up the floor” again and again but never stop the faucet from overflowing.

Imagine having the power to understand why you’re experiencing these symptoms, what biological and emotional triggers are at play, and how your body’s innate intelligence can help you heal. This is the potential that Lifestyle Medicinebrings, and it’s why my journey toward a PhD in this field is vital—not just for myself, but for everyone seeking true health.

The Organ-Mind-Brain Connection: The Key to True Healing

One of the most profound realizations in my own journey has been how closely linked our organs are to our emotions and brain functions. For instance, whenever I feel anxious or worried about my son who is studying abroad, I experience digestive discomfort. It’s not because of what I ate—it’s because my emotions are tied to my digestive system. The brainstem, which regulates survival mechanisms, processes this emotional stress and communicates it to my digestive organs. My body, quite literally, can’t “digest” the uncertainty, which shows up as physical pain.

Similarly, the tension I feel in my back and shoulders is connected to the emotional weight I carry. My brain processes my feelings of self-worth, and when I feel uncertain about how to support my son, my muscles tense up. This isn’t just a mechanical issue; it’s a reflection of my emotional state, processed through the cerebral cortex, which handles feelings of self-devaluation.

These examples show how the organ-mind-brain connection plays a pivotal role in health. Our organs don’t function in isolation; they are part of a larger system that includes our emotions and thoughts. The brain communicates with the mind and organs, and unresolved emotions or stress can manifest as chronic physical symptoms.

The Six Root Causes of Chronic Illness

To truly heal, we need to address the six root causes that trigger chronic symptoms:

1. Organ dysfunction
2. Stress
3. Emotions
4. Beliefs
5. Social connections
6. Lifestyle habits

These root causes explain why many physical issues—whether it’s back pain, migraines, or digestive problems—are tied to deeper emotional and psychological factors. For example, a client might come to me with chronic migraines. After exploring their emotional landscape, we might discover that these headaches are linked to unresolved trauma or chronic stress. The organ-mind-brain connection shows us that treating the body alone isn’t enough—we must heal the mind and emotions as well.

Why I’m Pursuing a PhD in Lifestyle Medicine

This is why I’ve dedicated myself to studying Lifestyle Medicine. It’s about helping people understand that their bodies aren’t just reacting to what they eat or how much they exercise, but to their emotional state, stress levels, and beliefs. My PhD will equip me with the tools to guide people toward real healing—not just symptom management, but true, deep healing by addressing the root causes of their illness.

Imagine being able to understand not just what’s wrong with your body, but why it’s happening. Imagine knowing that your chronic symptoms are tied to emotional stress or unresolved trauma, and having the tools to heal both your body and mind. This is the promise of Lifestyle Medicine and the organ-mind-brain connection.

Empowering Patients to Heal Themselves

Many people feel powerless when faced with chronic illness. They’ve tried everything—medications, diets, even alternative therapies—but nothing seems to work. That’s because most treatments focus on the symptoms, not the root cause. By focusing on the organ-mind-brain connection, we can empower people to take charge of their own healing.

For example, instead of prescribing medication for digestive issues, we can look at the emotional triggers that might be causing the problem—whether it’s anxiety, fear, or unresolved emotional pain. By addressing these root causes, we not only relieve the physical symptoms but also help the person heal emotionally.

This is what Lifestyle Prescriptions? offer: step-by-step guidance on how to improve not just diet or exercise, but emotional health, social support, and stress management. Patients are given a roadmap for healing that addresses the whole person, not just the body.

Moving Forward: The Future of Healthcare

The time for change is now. We are at the threshold of a new era in healthcare, where true healing is within reach—not just through medication or symptom management, but through understanding the deep, intricate connections between our body, mind, and emotions. By embracing the organ-mind-brain connection, we unlock the power within us to heal from chronic illness at its root.

As we move forward, the path is clear: it’s not enough to treat what’s on the surface. We must dive deeper, addressing the emotional triggers, the beliefs we hold, the stress we carry, and the way our bodies respond to these influences. The future of healthcare lies in empowering individuals to understand and trust their body’s natural ability to heal. By embracing this new approach, we can empower people to take control of their health, leading to deeper, more sustainable wellness.

I am committed to being part of this revolution—one that shifts us from passive patients to active participants in our own health. Together, we can create a future where wellness isn’t just the absence of disease, but a vibrant, thriving life. It's time to evolve. It's time to heal from the inside out.

Monique Helou

Editor- Life in Balance Newsletter

Monique Helou

Editor- Life in Balance Newsletter