Bed sores, lesions, pressure sores, chronic wounds, ulcers and abscesses are nasty looking, a real problem to deal with, and at times quite painful for their owner. Wound management is a traditional medical specialty unto itself. Integrative healing (CAM) modalities and techniques are now being researched in clinical trials to assist and amplify traditional care.

There are many reasons for non-healing wounds, some are the result of medical conditions. Many diabetics fear and eventually undergo surgical amputation. Bed ridden patients in nursing home or assisted living facilities develop bed sores that can facilitate their demise. Paraplegics and quadriplegics develop localized pressure sores that can instigate life-threatening infections. Situations that impede circulation such as complications following surgery, congestive heart failure, rheumatoid arthritis, peripheral ulcers, vascular disease, and traumatic injury help cause wounds. Additionally edema, systemic problems and infection impair normal healing. Most wound programs combine traditional medical and surgical care in addition to advanced wound care technologies including but not limited to dressing materials of bioengineered tissue and hyperbaric medicine. Alternative and integrative medicine processes and treatments offer a different approach.

While initially evaluating a wound, as a medical intuitive and "human MRI", I look at the 360 degree view of the traumatized area. Failing to "see" the entire wound and all contributing factors can sabotage healing. Assess the physical body's systems and the energy systems that contribute to the current wound. Start your intuitive examination from the inner core and work your way out to the surface area of the open wound. Example- Start with the molecular structure of each cell, then the cellular clusters, and finally tissue groups. Next evaluate the infection and blood counts, the blood supply to the deteriorated area, and the blood's oxygen delivery to that wound. Investigate the functions the wounded area contributes to the body and the body's entire immune system, and the immune systems response to the wound area.

Last but not least, evaluate the client's mental, emotional and spiritual states that affect and effect the entire body. Also address and correct the environmental factors such as lack of individual care or attention. Remove medications that hinder healing. Check with your physician about the interactions of various prescriptions. Clients that smoke should be required to stop during wound rehabilitation.

To begin healing the wound, as an integrative medical specialist, I use distant energy healing in addition to and during the physician's treatment and procedures to reorganize the molecular structure of each damaged cell. First I direct electromagnetic energy to the molecules of the cells. This stimulates the cells to restructure themselves and to regenerate healthy new cells. This concept is called returning to the original healthy cellular blueprint. One of the originator's of this concept was Dr. RObert Becker in his book "The Body Electric". He also established the fact that when stimulated with electromagnetic energy, a cell would regenerate.

Then the blood cells must be directed to remove toxins and to reestablish healthy blood counts. This process will eventually remove infection in the wound. Repairing the damaged vascular system is next. The broken vessels must be sealed to prevent excess bleeding, weepage and further contamination and infection. Once accomplished, a healthy blood flow must be established to nourish and support regenerating cells and to implement oxygenation to the area.

Since inadequate oxygen supply to the damaged tissue impedes healing, focus the energy on raising the oxygen levels of the client. This will support the repairing cells and help develop and rebuild a healthy tissue network. In traditional medicine, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is one of the newest technologies to aid wound care. This therapy increases the level of oxygen delivered to the tissues and augments wound-healing repair.

For the immune system to stabilize and contribute to health, direct the energy healing to amplify the immune system's work on the entire body and on the wound area, two separate issues.

Now that you have built a healthy foundation in the core of the wound, work on the tissue areas and the outer edges of the wound in increments. This reduces the size of the open wound, adds healthy supportive periphery tissue around the traumatized and damaged area, and provides clinical evidence that the wound is reducing. You do not want to knit together and seal over a wound that is not healed at its base, that mistake could exacerbate further deterioration.

It's best to approach wound healing in an organized fashion; system-by-system, inch by healed inch, from the inner core to the outside. Trying to heal the entire wound all at once puts too much stress on the body's energy system and the cellular recalibration, and usually misses important ingredients in the entire healing recipe. It is also important to work intermittently on the wound, so the body will not be overstressed, and each system can reestablish itself independent of the others. This plan will manifest a stronger and more rapid healing response, have less periodic reversals, and maintain the integretity of the healed area.

Although addressing physical problems is a major concern, I believe involving patients in their treatment with positive mind over matter actions, attitudes and affirmations is imperative. In deciding right now, this very minute, to address and make positive free will choices to change your mind's attitude about your wound care, and to command your cells to assist in your healing, immediately helps facilitate the healing process. Patient contribution to their own care adds the mind over matter i.e. biofeedback dimension to the healing process and is crucial to long-term improvements. A favorite alternative medicine for your mind is the book "Positive Attitudes, Actions, and Affirmations for Overcoming Your Health Challenges". The self-help section of your local bookstore has many helpful holistic mind body resources.

It has been proven that positive attitude creates a greater immune system response that in turn helps diminish symptoms. It stands to reason that premise should also hold true in wound management. It's the old adage of YOUR mind over YOUR matter. Your cells are here to house your life force energy called your Soul. You are the commander of your cells, i.e. your body, and YOU are the superintendent of your building i.e. your body, so how you handle your maintenance is all part of the healing journey. Having a "can do" attitude directs your cellular structure to do just that, assist in healing itself.

Holistic health care is complementary to traditional medicine. Alternative medicine-medical intuition and distant healing integrates with and can be used during allopathic procedures and treatments. The combination of all types of healing modalities, technologies and whole body therapies gives the patient more healing options and a sense of participation and control over their healing, resulting in a better quality of life and sense of well being, thereby providing the most rewarding and effective healing journey.

Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety.

Disclaimer: Brent Atwater is not a medical doctor or associated with any branch of medicine. Brent works in Integrative Medicine (CAM). She offers her opinions based on her intuition, and her personal energy healing work, which is not a substitute for medical procedures or treatments. Always consult a physician or trained health care professional concerning any medical problem or condition before undertaking any diet, health related or lifestyle change programs. There are no guarantees with the Energy work.

Brent Atwater is a Medical Intuitive, Healer, Artist and Author. As a child, Brent was in the pioneer NC Gifted Student Program (1-12), her intuitive and psychic abilities were studied by Duke's pioneer ESP Research team headed by Dr. J B Rhine. Her international Medical Intuitive and Healing Energy work has been studied by and or documented at Duke Center for Integrated Medicine, the ARE: Edgar Cayce, Association for Research and Enlightenment, Dallas Center in Atlanta, GA, and North Carolina State University's Veterinary school.

As a professional artist, Brent is a pioneer in healing art by scientifically documenting the Healing Energies and healing benefits of her Paintings that Heal™, Healing Art for Children™, and Prints that Heal™. Her artwork was the feature of a PBS program, a segment on PM magazine, Crook and Chase, and others. Brent has been a guest on numerous renowned national and international radio and TV talk shows, and featured in other international media. Brent created and hosted "Alternative Questions & Answers" a radio talk show. Through the 80’s and 90’s B Brent Atwater was a highly licensed, collected, exhibited, televised, and widely sold American photo-realistic, and impressionistic artist. At age 16, she was in the pioneer NC Governor's School for the Gifted in Art, and the North Carolina Museum of Art chose one of her paintings for their permanent collection. Her work has been in many major national magazines and newspapers. Her artwork and designs are seen in many national catalogues and retail stores.

In 1987 she founded “The Just Plain Love” Charitable Trust to benefit children and other worthwhile causes.

Brent is author and illustrator of Just Plain Love Children's Healing Books™. "the Heavenly Express" is a series(4) of bereavement books for children. "Cancer Kids, God's Special Children" is her latest addition. The illustrations in these books hold the same Healing Energies and benefits as Paintings that Heal™. Her pioneer work in researching and documenting the Healing Energies and Healing benefits in her Just Plain Love Children’s Healing Books™ is ongoing. Brent's motto is "I want my art and books to DO good, as well as BE good!!!"

Brent attended Wake Forest University Law School and is a nondenominational ordained minister. She was listed in Who's Who of Law Students, Who's Who of American Women, and Who's Who in American Art.