When Your Body Speaks a Different Language: Understanding Body Wisdom

Since becoming paralyzed at age 18, I’ve spent countless hours with doctors, consultants, and specialists whenever something goes wrong. Whether it’s a fever, UTI, or any illness that triggers spasms, headaches, or even a life-threatening Autonomic Dysreflexia attack, my body rarely gives me straightforward answers when living with a spinal cord injury. This journey has taught me the importance of tuning into my body wisdom.

I can’t simply point to where it hurts because I don’t feel anything below my chest. My arms, hands, all numb. But I do experience referred pain with paralysis. If my hand, hip, or knee is hurting, I’ll become sweaty and uncomfortable, with intense pain in my neck and shoulders. The pain isn’t actually in those areas; it’s my body’s roundabout way of signaling something’s wrong.

Learning the Language of a C5 Spinal Injury

Now at 52, having spent 33 years in a wheelchair, I’ve learned to slow down and truly listen to my body. There’s no direct communication from my spinal cord, severed at C5, the fifth bone down in my neck, to my brain for about 80% of my body. Children find this fascinating; when I tell them I can’t feel my hands or legs, they often sneak a pinch when I look away, struggling to believe it’s possible. I play along, pretending not to notice.

What’s interesting is that while experts undoubtedly know more about specific conditions, sometimes my body hurts simply because it needs stretching or something is irritating it. When this happens, I need to slow right down and start listening. The more I do this, the more I recognize that disability body awareness is crucial; my body is one of my greatest teachers.

Body Wisdom and Trauma Healing

My body stores trauma. It tells me where that trauma lives and what I can do about it. I practice a wonderful body listening meditation where I check in: “Hello legs, how are you doing?” Then I sit back and listen. And they answer, whether they’re hot, cold, tired, or needing something more. I then appreciate my legs and thank them for what they do. For me, they balance me in my chair; for you, they probably carry you from place to place.

Your ultimate teacher is body wisdom. If you slow way down and listen, really notice what your body communicates through different nuances and minor ailments that don’t require a doctor, you’ll learn what it’s trying to accomplish in each moment.

The Intelligence Behind Symptoms

If you’re coughing, your body is trying to expel something. The body has limited ways to fight off invaders: runny nose, cough, sweating, loose stomach, vomiting. When you experience these symptoms, including fever, your body is perfectly executing its defense plan. It’s healthy for your nose to run when you have an infection. It’s healthy to cough, sweat, or spike a temperature when fighting a virus.

Recognizing our bodies as incredible machines that constantly look out for us is transformative. The body possesses wisdom beyond our conscious understanding. Our job is simple but profound: listen to it.

Understanding Autonomic Dysreflexia: A Crucial Safety Note

Autonomic Dysreflexia (AD) is a potentially life threatening medical emergency that affects individuals with spinal cord injuries, particularly those with injuries at T6 level or above. When something irritates the body below the level of injury such as a full bladder, tight clothing, skin pressure, or bowel issues, the body sends signals that cannot pass through the damaged spinal cord. This triggers an overreaction of the autonomic nervous system, causing a sudden, dangerous spike in blood pressure, pounding headache, profuse sweating above the injury level, and goosebumps below it.

If you experience these symptoms with a spinal cord injury, it requires immediate attention: sit upright, loosen clothing, check for bladder or bowel issues, and seek emergency help if symptoms persist. Understanding and responding quickly to AD is essential for anyone living with spinal cord injury; it’s another example of how learning to interpret your body’s urgent messages can be lifesaving.