20 July 2025

Your Symptoms Are Messages - Not Malfunctions

Your Body Isn't Wrong of Working Against You

We've been taught to fear symptoms. To suppress them, ignore them, medicate them away, or convince ourselves they don't mean anything. If they annoy us we accuse our bodies of being wrong. But what if your body wasn't malfunctioning...what if it was communicating?


What if your symptoms were simply your body's way of asking you to pay attention?


Your Body is Asking for Different Inputs


Every day, your body is responding to the environment it's living in - your thoughts, your movement (or lack of it), the foods you eat, your relationships, your beliefs, your stress levels, and even the light you're exposed to. Every single input matters. And symptoms? They're just responses. They're how your body adapts to the inputs its receiving.


We often think the goal is to get rid of the symptoms, but what if the real goal is to change the inputs?


That small ache. That sudden fatigue. The skin breakout, the headaches, the low mood. None of them are random. Your body is incredibly intelligent and responsive. It's not punishing you - it's working hard to protect you.


The Root of Fear Is Death - It's Suffering


We often hear that all fear stems from the fear of death. But I believe it goes deeper than that.


We fear suffering. We avoid discomfort at all costs. We want relief, control, certainty. And yet - healing requires us to lean into the very things we spend most of our lives wanting to avoid.


True healing is never linear, never neat, never easy. It's messy, confronting, and often downright uncomfortable. Because it requires you to meet yourself at the deepest level - to look at what you've been avoiding, and ask: what if this isn't working anymore?


Healing Requires Curiosity and Courage


Symptoms are invitations - not punishments. They're an opportunity to reflect on your environment, your habits, your emotional load, your nervous system, and the stories you've been carrying.


They're a sign that something needs to change.


Healing isn't just about removing discomfort. It's about learning from it. It's about getting curious, being grateful for your body's wisdom, and being willing to explore what else is possible.


  • What if the way you've been living is keeping you stuck?
  • What if your body is doing its best to guide you home?
  • What is there is another way?


Healing takes perseverance. It takes radical responsibility. And above all, it takes faith - faith that you are capable of healing, even if you don't know how.


What If You Already Hold the Power?


What if the power that made the body can also heal the body?

What if dis-ease is not a defect, but an opportunity for realignment?

What if the answers you're seeking aren't found in a prescription, a product, or a protocol - but inside yourself?


When you pause and truly listen, you'll hear it. Your body is always whispering.

Sometimes, it has to scream to get your attention - but only when it feels like you're not hearing it.


You hold the power. You are the power.


There's No Medal for "Perfect Health"


Healing isn't about achieving some flawless, symptom-free version of yourself. That's not real. The goal isn't perfection - it's presence. Adaptability. Deep trust. The ability to live your life.


There is no gold medal for never having sick days.


Healing is about understanding your patterns. Becoming aware of your triggers. Learning how you respond to stress and how you can shift your environment to support your nervous system.


You're always healing. You're always evolving. There's no hierachy. No finish line. Only a willingness to be human and to keep meeting yourself, again and again.


The Real Question Is: What Are You Willing to Do for the Life You Want?


Healing asks:

  • Are you willing to get uncomfortable?
  • Are you willing to change?
  • Are you willing to confront what's keeping you in survival mode?
  • Are you willing to move toward a life that actually supports you?


It's not about how it looks. It's about how it feels. It's about what frees you.


Your Body is Always Communicating


Your symptoms are messages. And your healing is a promise - not of perfection, but of possibility.


The question is: are you listening?


How you spend the majority of your day is how your body learns to adapt. Your environment becomes your training ground. If your body is constantly adapting to stress, stagnation, and survival mode - it's no wonder it starts to speak up.


One powerful way to support your body with a new set of inputs is to have your spine assessed and adjusted by a chiropractor. Your spine is a direct line of communication to your brain and nervous system - and when that system is supported, your whole body benefits.


Ready to change the inputs and shift your state?


You can book your appointment online today - we'd love to support you.

New button
by Olivia Sutherland 27 July 2025
Movement nourishes the brain. Confidence comes from experience. And risky, unstructured free play is how it all comes together.
by Olivia Sutherland 13 July 2025
Self-trust isn't something that happens overnight. It's a process - raw, personal, and often nonlinear. It's just you and your body, on your own timeline, learning to listen, respond, and keep going. No one else can do it for you. No one else knows what it's like to be in your body, living your story, making your choices. This is a journey between you and you. You decide when to start. You make the calls. You ride the waves. And when you stumble - which you will - you trust that you can pick yourself back up, dust yourself off, and keep walking forward. You learn. You adapt. You begin again. Everything is Medicine At Self-Trust, we deeply believe that everything in your life contributes to your well-being, and everything can be medicine. Your sleep patterns Your thoughts and beliefs Your stories and your past Your relationships and connections Your sense of purpose How you feel in your body The food you eat and the way you nourish yourself The time you spend outdoors Your access to sunlight and fresh air How you feel about your work, your family, your responsibilities Your daily rhythms and habits What you do to relax How often you laugh, dance, play All of it matters. All of it has the power to heal - or to harm. All of it is a mirror, reflecting the current state of your internal world. And your body is always listening. Your Body Keeps the Score When something's out of balance, your body will tell you. First with a whisper. Then with a nudge. Eventually, a shout if you keep ignoring the signs. This isn't punishment. It's communication. It's an invitation to pause, reflect, and adjust. Because your body wants to feel good . It is always moving towards a state of homeostasis. It is always working for you. Your body is designed to adapt, to move toward healing, to support you through the ebbs and flows. To respond based on the inputs it receives. Your body truly loves you. It is you. Self-Trust is the Commitment to Keep Showing Up To cultivate self-trust is to anchor into your own inner knowing. It's a practice of listening to your body, honouring your energy, and making aligned choices - not just once, but again and again. It looks like: Knowing when to rest Moving your body daily in ways that feel good Sitting with your emotions instead of pushing them away Reflecting on your beliefs and stories Letting go of labels and expectations that no longer fit Spending time with people who lift you up Having fun and making space for joy Prioritising your mental and physical health Trusting your mind, your body, yourself It's a daily devotion to live in a way that feels like medicine for you soul. Because ultimately, your life is your medicine . Every moment, every choice, every breath is an opportunity to come home to yourself. How We Are Here to Serve You At Self-Trust Association, we are here to walk beside you on this journey - supporting your body, your nervous system, and your return to wholeness. Through chiropractic care, applied kinesiology, and family-focused well-being, we're here to remind you that you already have what you need. Your body knows. You are capable. You are worthy of your own trust. 
by Olivia Sutherland 5 July 2025
Think Chiropractic is Cracking Backs?
by Olivia Sutherland 29 June 2025
The Foundation of True Health and Well-being
by Olivia Sutherland 22 June 2025
Your body isn't broken - it's trying to keep you safe. But in order to heal, it needs to feel safe first.
by Olivia Sutherland 16 June 2025
Understanding the link between your symptoms, your spine, and your body's innate intelligence.
A green background with the words `` our fees + services '' written on it.
by Olivia Sutherland 2 April 2025
Welcome to Self-Trust Association, your family-centred chiropractic clinic in Christchurch. We offer holistic care that supports your nervous system, improves mobility, and helps you feel more connected to your body. Whether you're looking for spinal care, professional Applied Kinesiology, or nervous system support, you'll find our pricing transparent and our services deeply aligned with long-term wellness. Chiropractic Services Initial Consultation - Spinal Care (New Patient) $100 (Adults, Children and Students) approx. 45 minutes If you're a new patient or it has been 12+ months since your last visit, this is where your care begins. We'll take time to understand your health history, perform initial assessments, and begin crafting a care plan to support your spine and nervous system. You'll be emailed an online form to complete before your appointment. Regular Visit - Spinal Care $60 (Adults) / $50 (Child or Student) approx. 10 - 15 minutes This is for returning clients who have seen Dr. John within the last 12 months. Regular spinal check-ins help maintain alignment, regulate your nervous system, and support whole-body vitality. Applied Kinesiology Services Applied Kinesiology is an advanced technique combining muscle testing with chiropractic care to uncover root causes of health issues - physical, emotional, and nutritional. Initial or Advanced Applied Kinesiology Consultation $160 (Adults) / $135 (Child or Student) approx. 60 minutes Choose this option if you are: New to Applied Kinesiology Managing complex or chronic concerns Needing a deeper, more comprehensive consultation We'll work through underlying patterns, nervous system imbalances, and nutritional or structural support to give your body toward better function. Follow-Up Applied Kinesiology Consultation $135 (Adults) / $115 (Child or Student) approx. 30 - 45 minutes Perfect for those who have had an initial AK appointment and are returning within 12 months for ongoing care and rebalancing. Chiropractic Care Concession Cards We offer concession cards for those receiving regular chiropractic care. $500 - Adults (10 visits) $420 - Child / Student (10 visits) Note: These cannot be used in conjunction with ACC or other subsidy schemes. Cancellation Policy We kindly ask that you provide at least 24 hours' notice if you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment. Missed appointments or cancellations within 24 hours will incur a 50% cancellation fee . When you book with us, you're reserving time that could be offered to another person in need - your courtesy supports both our team and community. How to cancel: Call 03 365 5777 Reply to your SMS reminder Email us or use the contact form on our website Ready to Book? Appointments are available through our online booking system or by phone
Personalised Human Design Guide Book - The Earth Guide by Olivia Sutherland
by Olivia Sutherland 20 July 2023
Discover how your unique energetic blueprint can help you regulate your nervous system, build self-trust, and support your health and well-being.
A pregnant woman in a plaid dress is holding a cup of coffee
by Olivia Sutherland 7 July 2023
How to Host a Mama-to-Be Circle
A black background with white text that says chicken bone broth
by Olivia Sutherland 4 July 2023
The simplest recipe for homemade chicken broth