Finding Freedom from Chronic Pain and Anxiety with Monica Norcross
Chronic pain and anxiety are two common yet debilitating conditions that many people struggle with. My guest today, Monica Norcross, has a unique approach to helping people find freedom from these issues.
At timestamp 00:50, Monica shares that she helps people find freedom from chronic pain and anxiety, mainly Christians, through a program she developed called The Still Workout. It's based on Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God" and is designed to retrain your brain, renew your body, and restore your soul. She's finding results similar to physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, worship, prayer, weight training all combined into one, and treating the body holistically leads to miraculous results.
According to Monica at 03:23, everything is connected - the brain, body and soul. So anxiety isn't just a mental health issue, it's also physical and spiritual. She explains the three components of anxiety: cognitive, physical, and spiritual. The cognitive aspect involves the limbic system which regulates emotional response to stress and trauma. It can become overactive, but the good news is God designed our brains to be renewable resources. Simple techniques can calm the limbic system and retrain it to handle adversity healthier.
At 09:45, Monica discusses the physical side of anxiety which relates to the fascia system or connective tissue. When healthy it's smooth and pliable, but when unhealthy it can get tangled, adhered, and constricted causing chronic pain. Fascia weaves through every cell and holds emotions and trauma. The techniques Monica uses help release fascial adhesions to reduce pain and trapped emotions. She shares an amazing story at 12:12 of how working on her feet released pain she was having in her abdomen.
Finally, at 15:50 Monica addresses the spiritual component of anxiety. The Bible is meant to be studied in stillness and focus which is difficult with anxiety. It says 365 times "Do not be afraid" - one for every day of the year! When we combine spiritual practices with cognitive and physical techniques it packs a powerful punch against anxiety. A typical class includes 7 components: scripture meditation, breathing, cognitive training, strength training, postural alignment, stretching, and fascia release.
At 23:06 Monica emphasizes we are called to be good stewards of our bodies. Physical training is good, and spiritual training is better, but we can't ignore caring for our physical health. Invest in wellness now or pay for illness later. Don't let perfection be the enemy of good - keep moving forward.
For low-hanging fruit, Monica at 28:02 suggests belly laughing every day and praying, which releases even more powerful endorphins than morphing. At 31:11, take time for deep breathing which is calming. She offers online classes and memberships at various levels at TheStillWorkout.com, and right now has a 10-day anxiety solution program. Use code NHM20 for 20% off.
If you struggle with chronic pain or anxiety, I encourage you to check out Monica's biblical approach to whole body health. You can reach her at info@thestillworkout.com.
