Cured: The power of our immune system and the mind-body connection.
I heard Dr Gabor Mate reference “Cured” in some training I was doing, and as I love his work so much, I dutifully dived in to this book, which turned out to be a profoundly interesting read that really deepened my scope of understanding the pathological pathways of trauma in the body.
"Cured" by Jeff Rediger is a groundbreaking book that offers a fresh perspective on medicine, trauma, neurobiology, and the pillars of health and healing through an integrated lens. Through captivating storytelling and in-depth research, Rediger challenges conventional notions of healing and presents a compelling argument for the transformative power of the mind and body in overcoming illness and trauma.
One of the key highlights of "Cured" is its emphasis on a holistic approach to medicine. Rediger explores how physical, emotional, and spiritual factors interact to influence health and healing. He advocates for a shift from solely focusing on treating symptoms to addressing the root causes of illness, including unresolved trauma and unbalanced neurobiology. This approach fosters a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of our bodies, minds, and environments in the healing process and reflects many of the leading voices of medicine, psychiatry and trauma who are disrupting the symptom driven approach to working with trauma in the body.
Rediger presents compelling stories of individuals who have experienced remarkable so called ‘spontaneous’ recoveries from terminal diagnoses by tapping into their innate capacity for self-healing. By highlighting the impact of beliefs, emotions, and thoughts on the physical body, Rediger encourages readers to harness the mind's potential to facilitate healing and achieve overall wellbeing. "Cured" provides an interesting perspective on trauma and resilience, challenging the prevailing narrative that trauma inevitably leads to lifelong suffering. Rediger explores how trauma can be processed and transformed, leading to personal growth and even physical healing. He sheds light on the role of neurobiology in trauma recovery, emphasizing the brain's inherent capacity for change and adaptation. Rediger's insights offer hope and inspiration for individuals struggling with the aftermath of trauma.
Throughout the book he presents scientific evidence to supports the notion that positive lifestyle changes, such as stress reduction, healthy diet, and exercise, can positively impact gene expression and promote healing at the cellular level. This understanding empowers individuals to take an active role in their health and wellbeing, giving a nod to the need for empirical data, but not at the expense to appreciating that some of the variables of an individuals spontaneous healing are simply unable to be explained through the current tools of science and reseach, opening the door to the spiritual and ineffable elements of healing.
"Cured" by Jeff Rediger is a remarkable book that challenges the traditional paradigms of medicine, trauma, neurobiology, and healing and returns some of the autonomy and power to the individual, I think for me, with a somatic psychotherapy bias, the most extrodinary part of the stories and medical insights he shares is the critical role of identity reconciliation in healing chronic illness. While the other three pillars of inflammation, stress response and diet are essential parts of the equation, it is the healing of our Self, and the unresolved wounds of our authenticity that offer so much hope for the reversal of how our bodies have kept the score.
By weaving together captivating narratives, scientific research, and practical insights, Rediger has integrated in his book what he seeks to rally the world of medicine to create: a holistic understanding of healing that recognizes the profound interplay between the mind, body, and spirit. This thought-provoking work contributes significantly to our understanding of the transformative power of the mind, the impact of trauma on health, the potential of neurobiology, and the importance of a comprehensive approach to healing. "Cured" is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the intricate connections between medicine, trauma, neurobiology, and the potential for personal healing and growth.