Mind-Body Connection or Mind-Body Co-Dependency?
You hear a lot of buzz about mind-body connection, and about nervous system and its regulation. Heck, we talk a lot about both in our clinic sessions, because they matter. But what isn't often enough discussed, is the concept of whether what we are achieving is mind-body connection or mind-body co-dependency. And if the latter, how can we shift that, so that in our movement practices, our exercise routines, our supplement-taking and healthy eating, our sexual and sensual relationships, we are focusing on our factors and resources that promote health, rather than just trying to solve a symptom through the pathogenic medical model.
Salutogenesis - the sister to pathogenesis - refers to the creation of health. In the context of a salutogenic approach to health and pelvic and whole-person health, the mind-body connection is understood as the harmonious interaction between the mind and the body, where both systems work together to maintain and improve health, well-being, and resilience. This contrasts with mind-body co-dependency, where the two systems are overly reliant on each other, potentially leading to dysfunction.
You hear a lot of buzz about mind-body connection, and about nervous system and its regulation. Heck, we talk a lot about both in our clinic sessions, because they matter. But what isn't often enough discussed, is the concept of whether what we are achieving is mind-body connection or mind-body co-dependency. And if the latter, how can we shift that, so that in our movement practices, our exercise routines, our supplement-taking and healthy eating, our sexual and sensual relationships, we are focusing on our factors and resources that promote health, rather than just trying to solve a symptom through the pathogenic medical model.
Salutogenesis - the sister to pathogenesis - refers to the creation of health. In the context of a salutogenic approach to health and pelvic and whole-person health, the mind-body connection is understood as the harmonious interaction between the mind and the body, where both systems work together to maintain and improve health, well-being, and resilience. This contrasts with mind-body co-dependency, where the two systems are overly reliant on each other, potentially leading to dysfunction.
Mind-Body Connection (in a Salutogenic Approach)
The mind-body connection within a salutogenic framework focuses on the relationship between the mind and body in promoting health and resilience rather than just the absence of illness. It emphasizes the ability of individuals to understand, manage, and adapt to stressors, and it recognizes that both mental and physical health contribute to overall wellbeing.
In this approach: Health is seen as a process of growth and development, not just the absence of disease. The mind and body are engaged in a dynamic balance, where mental states (such as thoughts, emotions, and coping strategies) positively influence physical health, and vice versa (this vice versa is key, because what we are not suggesting here is that pain or dysfunction is all in your head).
The emphasis is on empowerment and self-regulation, helping individuals build their resources (such as coping strategies and healthy habits) to navigate life’s challenges.
Sense of coherence (a key concept in the salutogenic model) means that people can make sense of the world, feel in control, and believe that life challenges are manageable. This creates a positive feedback loop where the mind supports physical health and the body supports mental resilience.
In pelvic and whole-person health, this mind-body connection would encourage approaches that foster mental health, physical strength, sensory and emotional resilience, integrating emotional support, education, and therapies like pelvic health exercises. It focuses on wellbeing and whole being, not just symptom relief, aiming for a holistic state of balance.
Mind-Body Co-Dependency (in Contrast)
In contrast, mind-body co-dependency, as I call it, can often involve a toxic or unbalanced reliance between the mind and body, often driven by avoidance or dysfunction, or even habit. For example, a person might become so emotionally reliant on their physical symptoms (e.g., pain, illness, or even physical feedback of an exercise) that they can’t address other underlying and necessary shifts, or their physical health could be perpetuated by negative mental patterns that reinforce the cycle of distress and pain.
This co-dependent dynamic could lead to:
Stagnation in health, as neither the mind nor the body is able to function fully on its own or collaboratively in a way that reinforces wellness and that re-negotiation with your body and movement.
Health challenges may be exacerbated because neither the emotional nor the physical aspects of health are given the appropriate attention, autonomy, or shared new language. The two systems feed off each other’s misinterpretation, rather than working together for optimal health.
Salutogenic Approach and Pelvic Health
In the context of pelvic health, the salutogenic approach encourages understanding the mind-body connection as an integral part of healing. Instead of focusing only on physical interventions (like exercises or manual therapy for pelvic pain), it integrates sensory and mental health, stress management, and emotional wellbeing into the treatment of pelvic health issues, as well as in the support for lifestyle and self-relationship reconfiguration, recognizing that psychological resilience and emotional health can play a critical role in recovery and function.
A mind-body connection approach in pelvic health would involve:
Encouraging mindful practices (like mindfulness, body awareness, and meditation) that allow individuals to recognize and regulate their physical and emotional responses, as well as how they are interpreting them and how they want to communicate in return.
Using techniques that address both the physical aspect of pelvic health (e.g., pelvic floor therapy) and the psychological aspect (e.g., cognitive-behavioral techniques for managing anxiety or trauma that affects pelvic function).
Fostering a sense of empowerment and autonomy, helping individuals create strategies that make them feel capable of managing both their physical and emotional wellbeing, and the adjustments major (or minor!) life changes or stress environments impact.
This whole-person, integrated approach avoids the unhealthy, dysfunctional reliance seen in mind-body co-dependency and instead supports a healthy balance where both systems contribute to the individual’s overall health and healing.
Reconnecting with our bodies is not just about managing symptoms or pushing through discomfort, it's about understanding and nurturing the deep, dynamic relationship between your mind and body. This process of healing is gradual and requires patience, trust, and compassion. It's about learning to listen to your body's signals, honoring its needs, and recognizing when your mind and body are in harmony, rather than stuck in a cycle of co-dependency.
As you move forward on your healing journey, remember that it's not about forcing a return to what was, but about embracing a new way of moving, feeling, and existing. Healing is about balance, and when we find that balance between mind and body, we give ourselves the chance to truly thrive.
Take the time to honor your body's wisdom. Nurture the mind-body connection, and watch how it transforms your health, your wellbeing, and your life. You don't need to go through it alone, your body has all the tools you need to heal. It's time to start listening.
Do you want to learn more, or is this resonating for you, and you would like support in your healing journey?
We've been through it all, and then some! We can support you, help you build resilience, rest, reduce symptoms, and learn a new fluency, body literacy, and connection.
