Reframing the Healing Narrative: Why “I Healed Myself” Can Be Harmful

In holistic wellness spaces, there’s a phrase that gets thrown around often:

"I healed myself. I was diagnosed with XYZ, and now I don’t need medication anymore."

Or, in admiration of someone else:

"She healed herself."

On the surface, this sounds like an empowering statement—proof that lifestyle changes, nutrition, and mindfulness can have profound effects on our health. And for some people, those shifts may indeed allow them to reduce or eliminate the need for medication. But for many others, this narrative is not only misleading—it can be harmful.

Because not all bodies work the same way and not all illnesses can be "healed" in the way that people assume.

Healing Is Not One-Size-Fits-All

When we say, “I healed myself,” it implies that others who haven’t had the same experience just haven’t done enough. It creates an unspoken hierarchy of wellness, where those who no longer need medication are somehow more "successful" than those who do.

This is particularly dangerous in communities of people living with chronic conditions, disabilities, and autoimmune conditions—many of whom have no option but to rely on medication to stay alive and function. It disregards the reality that healing is complex, individualized, and often not about eliminating medication but about finding sustainable ways to live well.

Shifting the Language: From “Healing” to “Supporting the Body”

Rather than saying:

❌ “She healed herself.”

Consider:

✔️ “She supported her body in a way that allowed it to tap into its own healing energy.”

Our bodies have an incredible ability to heal, regenerate, and recalibrate. But healing isn’t always about reverting back to how things were before. Sometimes, it’s about adapting to a new normal, learning to work with the body we have today, and embracing a different kind of wholeness.

✔️ “I made adjustments that supported my body in regulating again without medication.”
✔️ “I found lifestyle changes that improved my symptoms, and this is what worked for me.”
✔️ “Holistic practices have been an incredible complement to my medical care.”

This slight shift in language acknowledges that healing isn’t about willpower or “fixing” ourselves—it’s about supporting our bodies in the way that works best for each of us.

Medication Is Not the Enemy—It’s a Tool

Stigma against medication has gotten out of control, as if needing it is a sign of failure. But medication is not the opposite of wellness—it’s simply another tool in the toolbox.

Some people may be able to regulate their health without medication. And there are many that will always need medical support to survive. And that IS OKAY.

We can still:
✔️ Support our body’s natural healing processes
✔️ Use food, movement, and mindfulness to reduce stress and inflammation
✔️ Create an environment where our bodies can thrive within their current reality

The goal isn’t always to “heal” in the way society expects. Sometimes, the goal is to support, adapt, and honor the body’s wisdom.

The Problem with the “Healing as an Outcome” Mindset

So often, the idea of healing is attached to an outcome: a goal of being “better,” of returning to a pre-diagnosis state. But for many conditions, especially co-existing conditions—that’s simply not possible.

I cannot “heal” Type 1 diabetes by making lifestyle changes alone. No amount of yoga, meditation, or dietary shifts will change that reality — although I do believe a combination of subtle body treatment with contemporary science is absolutely imperative for the sustainability of any scientific cure that is going to be developed.

Instead of focusing on an outcome, we can focus on a process:

✔️ Supporting the body with tools that help it function at its best
✔️ Making adjustments that promote balance, resilience, and ease
✔️ Allowing space for healing energies without demanding a specific result

Healing, in this sense, isn’t about “fixing” ourselves. It’s about supporting the body and letting it surprise us with what it can do—without forcing it into a predefined version of health.

Lastly, Let’s Give Credit Where It’s Due

Yes, we can support our bodies in remarkable ways. But we need not take full credit for what happens next. The body itself is doing the work—we are just creating conditions that allow it to function at its best.

Instead of framing healing as an achievement, let’s see it as a collaboration—between us, our bodies, our environment, and the tools we use along the way.

Because healing isn’t always about returning to what was. Sometimes, it’s about moving forward into something new—something just as whole, just as valuable, and just as worthy of celebration.