Hey there!
Elizabeth Scala, MSN/MBA, RN, RYT here.
I’m a holistic nurse, certified coach, reiki master, yoga instructor, and qigong facilitator.
You might be thinking, “So what? Just because you have a bunch of letters after your name… that means you’ve got it all together?”
NOPE!
Those letters and titles are actually all things that I need to practice. That I must practice. That I HAVE to practice. On a daily basis… in order to keep myself happy and well.
That’s right… I do the activities listed above, among others, every single day.
If I didn’t?
I wouldn’t be here introducing myself. More importantly, I wouldn’t be able to help YOU. (Or, to help anyone, honestly.)
Before we get into how I can help… let’s begin with you. I want to be sure we’re a good fit and there’s no better place to start than by you checking in with you.
Check yourself.
Are you someone who recently had elbow surgery? Has your accident left you in a great deal of pain?
I’m sure it has!
Does the pain wake you up, every time you turn over? I’ve been there too.
Lying awake in the middle of the night, crying alone, because it hurt. And you probably don’t want to just pop another pain pill and roll over, numbing yourself from life. (Sounds enticing… but not worth it in the long run.) I can help you figure out how to cope with the pain… all types of pain.
Have you felt so sad that you’re starting to worry if the daily tears might turn into a long-term depression? Have people advised you it could be time to get on an antidepressant? I was told that as well!
Believe me. There’s more to healing than taking meds (keep reading; more below).
Has the loss of autonomy knocked you on your butt? Do you feel frustrated by the slow pace of healing?
Trust me; I get it. As somebody who prided themselves on being independent… I NEVER, ever asked for help. I’m here to tell you… I’m sorry, but you’re probably going to need some help.
As my therapy tech said, “An injury like this is kinda like trust. Easy to break, but incredibly difficult to rebuild.” It’s gonna take time. You have to be patient (and gentle) with yourself.
Well, I’ve got good news!
I help people who’ve had elbow surgery (and/or developed complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)) achieve greater range of motion so they can get back to the things they loved prior to the accident.
How Can I Help?
Quick story.
I’ve been a nurse for over 15 years. First, I worked in psychiatric nursing. Then, I did a short stent out in the community at a wellness center. Finally, for ten years, I was the program coordinator for a hospital’s research program.
There I was… working along…productively and efficiently, performing expertly in my role. A constant doer who was always on-the-go. I couldn’t sit still. Always moving, getting into something, doing more and more.
Then, BAM!
I experienced a life-changing accident which stopped me dead in my tracks. (That’s a whole long story itself; if you’re interested, you can find out more in my book, What Happens after Elbow Surgery.)
Anyway, what happened after surgery?
I was prescribed meds that reduced the pain, for about 4-6 hours. I attended occupational therapy (OT) three times a week, which helped me get back to basic functional activity. I was started on weekly nerve block injections (because of the CRPS diagnosis) to numb my arm so my elbow would move more at OT. I began acupuncture, which shifted the energy within my body.
But what worked best? What helped me actually feel close to my old self again?
Holistic Modalities
Yoga
Yoga can help reduce pain and increase range of motion. Practicing regularly can lift your energy during the day and allow you to sleep better at night.
Have you ever been so tense that you literally feel your skin tighten? Right now, check yourself. Where are your shoulders? Up near your ears?
How about your jaw; do you notice yourself clenching? Yoga can be an amazing way to reduce tension and relieve stress.
As my yoga teacher says, “You don’t use the body to get into the poses; you use the poses to get into the body.”
Qigong
That’s been the all-time BEST therapy for healing.
Qigong helped me feel normal again. I finally felt good about my body.
Instead of looking in the mirror and saying to my scar, “Ugh, that’s disgusting…” qigong has me loving myself.
During qigong, you don’t have to hold yourself up by your arms, like in yoga. You don’t have to put any pressure on your elbow. You can just breathe and move.
Qigong is a lovely way to wake up your body.
Healing Arts + You = Return to Normalcy
You, too, can feel good about your elbow again. You can love yourself, your body, just as it is.
I’m not just a practitioner of these practices; I’m a client of them. I not only teach the above modalities; I practice them. Every. Single. Day.
They’re part of my life, every day, forever.
Meditation, yoga, qigong, reiki, art, journaling, reading, writing, nature, and just stillness… holistic practices that allow me to be well. To be at peace. To feel healthy. To live carefree as me.
My wish for you is that you too can…
LIVE SUBLIMELY WELL
In gratitude,
Elizabeth