“The familiar hum of the office computer filled the silence as I booted it up. A wave of restlessness washed over me. “I don’t want to do this anymore,” the thought echoed in my mind. Without hesitation, I drafted my resignation letter, each keystroke a beat in the rhythm of a changing life. Apprehension flickered as I placed it on my boss’s desk, but it was quickly eclipsed by a surge of relief. This was goodbye to the old, a hello to the new. Six weeks later, I found myself on a new path entirely, immersed in the world of Chinese medicine.“

Barbara Ellis spent nearly five years as a Speech and Language Therapist at a special needs college in Northumberland, UK. But one day, a seemingly routine opportunity for further certification sparked a life-altering decision. Given the freedom to choose her own course, Barbara embarked on a deep dive, ultimately discovering Tuina massage.

This branch of Chinese medicine, practised both on bare skin and through clothing, ignited a new passion within her. Ten days of intense training transformed her. Returning home on a Sunday, she was practically glowing. When friends remarked on her radiant appearance, she explained it wasn’t a holiday, but a transformative training course. The experience left her exhilarated, and she couldn’t wait to share every detail.

Energised by her experience, she arrived at work the next day with a newfound resolve. Surprisingly, she tendered her resignation. It wasn’t due to dissatisfaction with her job, but rather a consequence of the remarkable results she’d achieved in a short time through Tuina massage.

A profound sense of well-being washed over her. It felt like a homecoming – her spirit had finally discovered Tuina massage, the therapy it craved. The revelation ignited a passion within her. The confines of her old job no longer held appeal. Now, her path was clear: to delve deeper into the wisdom of Chinese medicine.

Barbara remembers a childhood filled with love, both given and received. From a young age, she gravitated towards helping others – friends, strangers, especially those younger. This innate nurturing instinct, though not fully understood then, bloomed into a powerful desire during her own path to well-being.

Barbara followed a conventional path – job, marriage, children, and a degree. Yet, for fourteen years, a shadow loomed. Recurring back problems plagued her, leading to multiple hospitalisations. The solution, when it came, was drastic: surgery to remove part of a herniated disc in her lower back.

Now, fast forward to 20 years later, and she found herself once again sitting in another consultant’s office this time looking at the MRI images of her spine.

“Barbara, have you ever had an impact injury, one where you were in an accident or had a severe fall that created an impact through your spine?” the consultant asked.

It took her a few moments to recollect that, on her honeymoon she fell on a marble staircase in Paris, and came down hard on the base of her spine: her coccyx, which sent a shockwave up through her spine, forcing the air out of her lungs. For a few moments she could not breathe, she could not move, she could not speak, then the pain hit.

She recalled the incident to the consultant.

“Barbara, do you not think this is something that you should have told your medical team all those years ago when you first had back pain?”

“Well no, I never gave it a thought, it was after all something I had never been asked, so I did not make the connection”.

The doctor’s words struck her like a bolt of lightning. At a mere 21, she hadn’t grasped the long-term consequences. How could she have missed the connection? This was the culprit behind the chronic pain plaguing her back, chest, and now her neck. The herniated disc surgery, the lingering nerve damage – all stemmed from this one, unseen cause. A wave of realisation washed over her. “Wow,” she thought, “why didn’t I ever connect the dots? “Why was I so disconnected from my own body?” The irony wasn’t lost on her – a healthcare professional, yet a stranger to her own physical needs. “Why was I so disconnected from my own body?”

Dismay washed over her. Disconnected from her own body for so long, a stark realisation dawned: how could she care for something she barely understood? This self-doubt fuelled a newfound appreciation for Chinese medicine, a philosophy that resonated deeply. Unlike her previous medical experiences, this approach embraced the entire body, a holistic path to well-being that offered a glimmer of hope.

Barbara’s awakening extended beyond her own health. The compartmentalised approach of Western medicine struck a chord. Here, specialists address isolated issues – bones to orthopaedics, nerves to neurologists. A stark contrast to the holistic philosophy of Chinese medicine, where the entire body is seen as an interconnected system. This resonated deeply with her desire for a more unified approach to well-being.

A profound understanding dawned on Barbara: everything was interconnected. This epiphany sparked a fervent search for a solution to her chronic pain, leading her down a path of exploration through various alternative therapies. Yet, nothing resonated quite like Tuina massage and the holistic philosophy of Chinese medicine. This discovery was what propelled her to resign.

Barbara’s newfound passion led her into a world of exploration. Acupuncture and Qigong, essential components of Chinese medicine, became her next focus. Determined to learn from the source, she embarked on a life-changing journey to China, where she received first hand instruction from Qigong masters. This wasn’t just a casual pursuit; Barbara’s dedication culminated in a diploma in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, a qualification that also certified her as a Tuina massage therapist.

Barbara’s newfound passion blossomed into a successful clinic. Integrating other Chinese therapies with Tuina massage, she also offered a holistic approach to well-being through Qiong healing and driven by a desire to help others experience the transformative power she herself had discovered.

But her training wasn’t over. A chance encounter with a colleague introduced her to Havening Techniques. Intrigued by its potential, she enrolled in the training, and it became a turning point. Havening Techniques, which combined elements of touch, eye movements, and psychology, offered a way to help people release trauma and alleviate physical and emotional pain. This new skill became a lifeline when Covid struck. Since in-person sessions were no longer possible, Havening’s remote-friendly nature allowed her to continue supporting clients online.

Her passion for helping others only grew, and she went on to study further techniques, becoming a Six Step Belief Change Practitioner as well.  Now, by combining Havening with these new methods, Barbara has developed a comprehensive coaching program. It empowers people to understand their thought patterns, their reactions, and the steps needed to achieve their life goals.

Just when it seemed Barbara had found her perfect harmony, fate intervened. A new path unfolded, leading her back to her Scottish roots. There, amidst rolling hills, she and her family embarked on a surprising adventure – a farm teeming with life. Alpacas, fluffy hens, and curious sheep became her new companions, and life living in a tiny home, courtesy of The Lone Traveller.

Barbara’s vision unfolded – a vibrant eco-centre where visitors could immerse themselves in farm life, reconnect with nature, and experience all she had come to cherish. Tiny homes awaited, ready to welcome guests eager for a unique escape. However, unforeseen forces threatened to disrupt this idyllic dream. Winter floods and spring droughts swirled on the horizon, casting a shadow over the family’s meticulously crafted plans.

Living simply in her tiny home fostered a profound shift in perspective. She grasped the truth – a great life wasn’t defined by material possessions. This realisation echoed her journey with Chinese medicine – just as she’d treated her body holistically, she now saw the profound connection between humanity and nature. Their well-being was intricately intertwined.

Nestled amidst the trees, embraced by the windswept land, Barbara found solace. The gentle presence of the alpacas and other creatures mirrored the nurturing spirit she felt from nature itself. It was a return to a simpler state, a reconnection that filled her with a sense of childlike wonder. In the quiet moments, surrounded by this natural embrace, a profound truth resonated: there was a deeper meaning to life, a connection far greater than we often realise.

An insightful shift occurred within Barbara. True wealth, she grasped, wasn’t confined to bank accounts or the things we possess. It was all around her, woven into the very fabric of nature. Happiness, she realised, blossoms from a deeper understanding – the interconnectedness of all things. We are not separate from the stars or the earth; we are threads in the grand tapestry of existence, a unified whole.

And when you embrace this existence in the way it is, you have tapped into the wealth of the universe. And even though in the eyes of the world, it may appear like not having much, in its truest sense, it’s having more than one could ask for.

Barbara emphasises the importance of collective responsibility. Humanity, she argues, must strive for unity and harmonious coexistence. We are all interconnected – people with each other, and people with the natural world. The wind, soil, water, trees, and even the sky – these are not mere backdrops, but vital parts of the intricate web of life. We have a moral imperative to care for our environment, for it sustains us as much as we sustain it. Ultimately, existence belongs to all of us, and we, in turn, belong to it.

To witness this unity, this oneness, is to experience heaven manifest on earth.

Barbara’s journey led her to a profound truth: her body was an integral part of the natural world. The key to healing, she understood, lay in rekindling this forgotten connection. By tuning into the rhythms of nature, she discovered a powerful force for well-being.

Barbara now makes a conscious effort to nurture her connection with the natural world, finding solace in its rhythms. But she also recognises the vital role of human connection. Love, she believes, remains the most powerful chord, binding us to each other and to all of existence. After all, where love thrives, life flourishes.

It’s been nearly two decades since Barbara walked out of her office, a life-altering decision that propelled her on an extraordinary journey. Now, with a life many would envy, she declares with a twinkle in her eye, “I’m only getting started!”

And having witnessed her spirit first hand, I can tell you, Barbara Ellis has a voice and a charisma that can transport you into a world, where you too can say, “help me see what you’ve seen Barbara”, and she’ll gladly do that! Because she has found her one thing; a heart full of love.

Today, Barbara Ellis utilises her vast experience, and helps people dealing with chronic pain. Her vision is to not only help individuals recover and lead a normal life, but also go beyond, to living a life where they feel empowered to deal with challenges with as much strength and resilience, like a mountain in a storm. Unwavering, unaffected, still!

Say Hi to Barbara, Goodbye to Chronic Pain, And a Welcome to Regaining Your Vitality!

Book Your 15 Minute Call Today!

About the Author

Sumit Sharma

Sumit serves as a Live Meditation Host at a meditation community called Morning Champions. He also helps solopreneurs and small businesses create powerful websites that truly represent their business and their brand. For more details reach out to hello@sumitsharma.net

If you have been looking for an alternative treatment for lower back pain, you’re at the right place. I have been a long-time back pain sufferer. But the word ‘alternative’ didn’t enter my life until I accidentally stumbled across it, thanks to my previous job.

I had the choice to pick a new certification given my last job as a therapist. And I picked one, where I was sent off for 10 days to learn a new therapy, and returned with a glow on my face.

How did such a miracle happen? Well, all thanks to Tuina massage, a therapy based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. What I experienced was far deeper relief, much more than a pill or physiotherapy alone could deliver.

This was when I realised that western medicine alone wasn’t the answer to some of the persistent problems of mankind. Lower back pain can appear like a pesky problem, that often a pill or rest alone won’t resolve. And especially, when the weather changes, the pain seems to find a way to sneak back in.

This is when I started looking deeper into Chinese medicine, and after having spent years being an alternative practitioner, I’d like to outline 3 potent alternative treatment options for lower back pain.

1. Tuina Massage: Of course, it tops the list because it was the first thing that brought me immense relief. As the word goes, it’s a unique form of massage where various points or meridians as they call it in TCM, are stimulated to induce better energy flow. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, disease is a result of a disharmonious flow of energy in the body. This can be due to tension, stress, anxiety or other environmental factors. When you stimulate the meridians, by massaging at specific points in the body, you are able to release any blocks or tension, so that the energy flow harmonises.
   
   Better energy flow releases the tension that may be causing the lower back pain. In effect, within a few sessions you can feel better, more energetic and also free from lower back pain!
   
   
2. Acupuncture: Again, acupuncture therapy is also a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine and it works on the same principles of energy flow, and meridians. In this therapy a skilled acupuncturist uses a special type of very thin needles, especially designed for this therapy. These needles are carefully placed at specific points in the body, based on what type of disease the patient is looking to cure. And then you’re allowed to simply lie down and relax, while your energy blocks start getting removed.
   In effect, you start feeling lighter, happier, and might as well wake up with lesser back pain right from the very first session.
   
   
3. Qigong: Qigong is one of the most powerful healing modalities in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the beautiful thing about it is that you can learn Qigong and induce self-healing.
   
   As we looked at the above two therapies, they both require someone else to do the healing work, but in the case of Qigong, you can self-heal. Which can be so empowering!
   
   Now, what does Qigong mean? Qi means energy and gong means to cultivate through practice. So essentially Qigong is the art of cultivating life giving energy through daily practice, so that you are able to induce harmonious energy flow, stimulate the meridians, and help release energetic blocks to feel better, more healthier and happier.

The 3 types of therapies that we just spoke about are extremely potent in their effectiveness, especially when you are consistent with the therapy. 

An acupuncturist or a Tuina massage therapist may ask you to do at least a 10 day session before you can experience real benefits. Although it is not uncommon for people to do multiple 10 day sessions for more effective results.

And with Qigong, the recommendation is to just learn and practise it daily, because it’s not just a therapy for lower back pain, but it can go a long way in helping you sustain or regain your vitality, and keep you feeling at your best.

More importantly, I wanted to highlight the importance of being able to take charge of your own health, so you don’t have to run from one doctor to another, finding a solution for your back pain, when the solution lies in understanding the root cause of your back pain, and addressing it correctly.

Another important point to note is that often these therapies are used in conjunction, and that way they can become even more beneficial in speeding up the healing process.

I’d highly recommend you seek a TCM practitioner who is qualified in all elements though definitely begin with Acupuncture if the other forms of therapy are not widely available in your area.  However, my favourite combinations will always include Qigong.

Think your case is different or you have questions? Drop me a line at hello@meetbarbaraellis.com and we can schedule a 30 min consultation at a nominal cost.

Barbara Ellis

Chronic Back Pain Relief Coach

Barbara is a trained and certified Tuina Massage Therapist, Havening Practitioner, & Acupuncturist. Having seen hundreds of patients at her private clinic, she has uncovered the secrets to faster recovery from back pain, and today, she helps people looking for natural relief from back pain. Click here to book a quick 15 min session to learn more on how she can help.

What? Is there a higher I hear you ask? Of course there is and just like you I had no idea that I could look beyond medicine into alternate therapies, and more importantly that a holistic treatment for back pain was just the beginning, and that there is so much more to well-being than simply being free from back pain.

I know I sound audacious, but what I am saying is grounded in reality, just that this is not the reality many people are exposed to.

And with this post I aim to expose this new reality to you, so you can look into a new horizon, where back pain becomes just a blip on the journey, that will be tackled along the way, but the focus will become something else.

Eager to know what it is? Then tag along!

Beyond Holistic Treatment for Back Pain

Regain your vitality!

Yes, read that again, we’re talking about regaining your vitality as something important and essential to focus on, because when you focus on this one thing, it ends up taking care of several other things. It’s like water gushing through a canal and clearing out everything along the way.

So why is it essential to regain your vitality?

The simple answer is because we all have to recharge our batteries and in Traditional Chinese Medicine this aspect of our energetic system is called the Jing. Everybody is born with a certain supply of jing that they inherit, some more, some less, and over a period of time this element starts to get used up.

In essence, the difference between a vibrant (energetic) and a feeble life is the quality and presence of your prana as referred to in Indian medicine, and Jing in Chinese medicine. (DNA in Orthodox Medicine). Less jing, less vibrancy. This is why we all need to recharge our batteries, however, the problem is we often don’t even know it!

Now, that doesn’t mean we never recharge our batteries, it is that we don’t often do this consciously. And more importantly, don’t know the best process of going about it.

This then can end up leading to suffering various chronic ailments, which also includes back pain!

Now you know why those x-ray machines can’t get to the problem. Why those pills won’t do it, and why you seem to be going from one clinic to another helplessly trying to find an answer.

Now, I am not suggesting this is the only reason for back pain, because obviously there could be other aspects playing a role, like an injury, muscle weakness, essentially, pain resulting from some kind of physical trauma, or pain due to a lack of vitamins.

So if there is a physical injury, medicine can do a great job in providing interim relief. However, when it comes to more aggressive treatments like surgery, you’d better first check on all available non-surgical options, before going that route. Now, before I digress too much, if you need help discussing your unique situation, why not book a quick discovery call with me.

Coming back to the point of regaining your vitality, and the point about jing, when you focus on building jing, and boosting your energy flow, it helps you feel much more healthy and happy just because you’ve recharged your batteries in a more conscious way.

If you ask me, building your jing and improving your energy flow is one of the fastest paths to recovering from chronic illnesses like back pain.

And how did I come across this? Here’s a little background.

Honeymoon, the Fall, and Holistic Treatment for Back Pain

It happened on my honeymoon! I fell down hard, and injured my back, but, at that point I had no idea how bad the injury was. It was only after 20 years that I discovered I had had an impact injury which damaged my spine and I underwent surgery. As if it was the answer to the end of back pain, no it wasn’t.

In the 20 year time frame, I’ve had several surgeries done, so I know a thing or two about how far they can go in bringing you relief.

But then, just as if fate intervened, I had the fortune of being introduced to Tuina massage, a form of therapy having its roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine. I was away from my job for a 10 day course, and on return, I was practically glowing.

The next day when I returned to work, I went in and typed in my resignation. To say that I was blown away by what I had experienced would be an understatement. I was so excited about the prospect of what Traditional Chinese Medicine could do for me and others, that I had to quit my job and go take a deep dive into this new found way of healing.

Not only did I fly all the way to China to learn more, but I practiced Qigong, a powerful TCM practice, and also got my certification as an Acupuncture and Tuina Massage therapist.

Over the years I was starting to see for myself, how the body can be treated holistically, instead of treating it symptomatically as is the western approach. This awareness brought about more understanding, that as I did the practice, I was feeling more energetic, and frankly, was bursting with as much energy as someone in their 20’s.

I wasn’t just feeling way better, I had tapped into an elixir that provided anti-ageing-like benefits, and more importantly I was feeling more energetic than I had perhaps ever felt in my life.

Not at the cost of surgeries and medicines, but at the cost of a few changes in my lifestyle, and practicing a few forms of Qigong regularly.

The discovery that energy flow can be improved significantly, without having to learn complicated yoga postures was refreshing, and to this day, I see how being able to take care of your jing, and your energy flow can bring about not just relief from back pain, but help regain your vitality.

Why would you settle for holistic treatment from back pain, when you can have more? You can have both, back pain relief and vitality!

Barbara Ellis

Chronic Back Pain Relief Coach

Barbara is a trained and certified Tuina Massage Therapist, Havening Practitioner, & Acupuncturist. Having seen hundreds of patients at her private clinic, she has uncovered the secrets to faster recovery from back pain, and today, she helps people looking for natural relief from back pain. Click here to book a quick 15 min session to learn more on how she can help.