It is not unusual for clients to report worsening physical ‘symptoms’ after experiencing Shamanic Healing. In my experience, some clients can feel this similarly to having a cold. The body feels run down, or there is a chill. Other experiences depend on the specific healing which has taken place. They can involve feeling physical ‘blockages or changes within the body..

The logical mind often feeds the narrative that things are worse. It suggests the healing has not worked. Or sometimes, the client may experience a new physical condition which they did not have before.

What is actually happening, is the client is now left with their own ‘energy’. This is a perplexing concept that can be difficult to explain to the logical mind. This noticeable change can even lead to the client wanting the intrusive energy back.

The Intention

The intention for the Energy work is to bring anything which is causing an imbalance, up and out. Often it is the energy imbalance which is causing the physical symptom. An imbalance in a specific power centre or chakra can cause physical discomfort. This discomfort is within an associated place in the body. A person may suffer from mobility difficulties or sporting injuries. Lifelong minor conditions may also be present. These issues could be caused by an experience in a past life.

Working with the energy body, supports healing for the physical body. However, this is usually done by bringing to the surface, the physical symptom. After an energy healing session has taken place, the physical symptom can become worsened. This helps the client become more aware of it. This is the point. This is the part where we bring the imbalance to the top. It involves the stuff going on beneath the surface. We face it.

The Importance of Self-Work

One of the ways to support clients through such transitions is to help them build strong and trusting relationships with their own guides. These guides are the ones directing the healing. The person’s guides walk with them on their pathway. Having a strong and trusting relationship can help the integration process. It can also deepen the connection between the two.

Shamanic Energy Work is not a holistic treatment that aims to relax and rebalance. It is a medicine which is being used to help with a sickness that the client is experiencing. The word sickness can have many interpretations. Often, it is something we do not consider when looking at our energy imbalances. When working with the energy body, the imbalances which are discovered often cause sickness in the physical, mental or emotional self. They can also affect the spiritual self. What does this sickness look like? It can be many different things.

• Anxiety,
• Insomnia,
• Intrusive thoughts,
• IBS,
• Stiffness,
• Joint pain,
• Low Mood

These are some of the more frequent visitors. Whilst more severe symptoms can be a sign of deeper intrusions which are physically manifesting.

Up and Out

The easiest way to describe the healing which takes place during shamanic energy work, is like opening a wound. Removing any scabs, and going deep into the core of the original wound to clear it out. Releasing anything toxic, or infected. Removing the scab can cause discomfort. Going to the core of the wound can mean reliving experiences of the past. Remembering and revealing things which have gone before, or things which have been entirely blocked out.

Again, dependent on the clients’ frame of mind, this can be a very difficult process. The client’s session is guided by their own spirit guides. These guides decide what is to be revealed and at what stage.

Of course, the logical mind considers the session to simply be one where the imbalance is removed or the blockage taken out. However, to attempt to do this in once session, when the clients have deeper imbalances, would be unethical. It would not be appropriate to bring everything up to the surface in one session. It is unrealistic to expect a client to integrate everything at once back into the physical world. They are still trying to function and live their day-to-day lives. This can lead to the client feeling overwhelmed, experiencing burnout or in other cases experiencing the symptoms of psychosis.

Storing Our Trauma

Sometimes we are not aware of the trauma stored in the body. Other times we minimise the trauma we have experienced, as a normalised part of growing up. Many traumatic experiences are stored differently. The energy body processes trauma in a way that differs from the mind. Meanwhile, the physical body processes this imbalance differently than the mind does. As a result, the two become out of sync. The energy body and the physical body may be working in different times and need some time to catch up. To integrate and rebalance.

As we transition through the years and the new age, we become more aware of trauma and more open to such conversations. However, for those who suffered from ‘normalised abuse,’ this can be a very difficult time. Those who experienced ‘abusive practices’ as ‘part of their day-to-day routine’ often find it challenging. The deconstruction of the mind begins the inner conflict. Becoming exasperated, the logical mind grasps to its old ways of thinking as a way of protecting itself.

Author- Anna Pedder 2023 © Shamanic Studio Grimsby/ Grimsby Shamanic