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As humans, we are storytelling creatures... but I think we often overlook how powerful hearing stories of others healing can be. 

Especially when they include facing profound debilitation and hopelessness. And show us how we are ALL capable of finding our way from the darkness to the light. 

To vitality, vibrancy -- even pleasure. 

And that's what I really really love about Julia's story. In her mid-teens she experienced sexual trauma that was tucked away until she was 19 when stabbing, stinging pain started in her vulva and did.not.stop. 

She lived for 6 whole years with debilitating vulva pain, was given a long list of diagnoses from various specialists, and was given very little hope that she would EVER recover from most specialists that she saw. 

In fact, she was told "you'll just have to work on your anxiety," "there's nothing we can do," "we don't understand this condition," and "just put lidocaine on it so you can please your partner."

And the sad truth is, most medical practitioners really don't have anything to offer to those suffering with conditions like vulvodynia, vaginismus, interstitial cystitis etc. 

For some reason, it took years for Julia to be referred to a pelvic floor physical therapist, but finally once she went she felt hope again. 

And along the way, she started studying and practicing yoga, meditation, breathwork, therapy, herbalism, and more. Which all played a huge role in her healing. 

She shares her whole story in a powerful way on this week's episode. And honestly, I think everyone would benefit from listening. 

If you've got chronic pelvic pain, this is especially for you. But if you don't, your compassion for those who do will expand exponentially. 

Share this one far and wide, friends. It's the kind of story that lends hope to all of us. 

Listen to learn:

• why Julia sees sexual trauma as the origin of her pelvic pain
• how chlamydia, a UTI and BV may have played a role
• what it was like for Julia to experience chronic pelvic pain day in and day out
• some interventions that are common but were not helpful
• an intervention that made her pain significantly worse for a year
• what she felt really worked, and how integrative care was most helpful
• how her yoga practice supported her healing journey
• how she got her partner involved in her pelvic floor healing

Resources

• Today's shownotes: Get Julia's links + a link to that Pelvic yoga book
• Episode 19: The importance of softening w Chaya Leia Aronson
• Episode 61: Healing embodied womb trauma w Dr Emily Wilson
• Episode 77: Myofascial release for breasts, chest + pelvic bowl w Lindsay Courcelle
• Free guide: Gardening for your menstrual health

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  

And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so m

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