Back in 2002 I first remember the onset of pain in my stomach. Years of trips to gastros and doctors, until I was eventually diagnosed with IBS, prescribed laxatives and sent on my way. A little later on at university, I injured my back at the gym and it never seemed to heal, eventually an MRI scan showed I had slight scoliosis. I was referred to a physiotherapist, prescribed pain killers and sent on my way… At 21 years old, I was on laxatives for IBS, antibiotics for acne, painkillers for back pain and antihistamines for hay fever. Something had to change.

It had been suggested to me in passing that IBS and chronic pain are linked to emotions, however I never knew what to do with that information and my diet and yoga always helped. However, now that I found my way back to being a chronic pain sufferer, it occurred to me that I had been going through a tough time at work and was having major relationship difficulties.

I started reading around the topic of psychosomatic disorders, until I came across Dr John Sarno. The pages of Dr Sarnos books screamed out at me, so I started the work of healing immediately. One thing I recognised pretty early on, was that this wasn’t a quick fix. Everything I had done previously was looking for instant results, always trying to ‘perfect’ my life. Whereas this was more about relaxation, acceptance and letting go. I journaled, meditated, resolved relationships and emotional blockages and enjoyed witnessing the gradual shifts week on week, as I made my way to a full recovery.

Jonty kindly shared his story in a live Q&A on the SIRPA Facebook page and answered the viewers questions. You can watch the replay below.

“At 21 years old, I was on laxatives for IBS, antibiotics for acne, painkillers for back pain and antihistamines for hay fever. Something had to change…. I journaled, meditated, resolved relationships and emotional blockages and enjoyed witnessing the gradual shifts week on week, as I made my way to a full recovery.”

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