Does Your Gallbladder Need Some TLC? Plus 14-Day Whole Foods Summer Cleanse & More Specialized Workshops at Mind the Mat!

I was at the chiropractor this past winter because it felt like I'd displaced a rib. There was a consistent jabbing sensation under my right shoulder blade. I often found myself standing against the edge of a wall rubbing up and down on my back. When I told the chiropractor, he felt my ribs and asked if the pain felt worse after eating and if I ever felt nauseous after eating. I told him I did and that I was increasingly experiencing heartburn after eating as well, but I never considered that the two sources of discomfort were connected.

"You don't have a displaced rib. You might want to get your gallbladder checked out," he said.

I had no idea the pain I was experiencing in my back could be related to my gallbladder. For months, I thought I was eating the wrong foods and giving myself indigestion, so I altered my diet numerous times, but nothing I did made a significant difference.

After the chiropractic visit, I called my family doctor, who ordered an abdominal scan for me. The results showed I didn't have gallstones. So, what was wrong? I called my mom and asked if anyone in our family ever had gallbladder issues, and she told me my maternal grandmother did. It turns out I had the same thing my grandmother had, which is called gallbladder sludge or bile sludge. If not addressed, gallbladder sludge can turn into the more serious gallbladder or liver issues.

I am writing this because I wish I'd read a post like this long ago. Removing the gallbladder is one of the most common surgeries in the United States, and it is often unnecessary. Every year, over half a million people in the United States have their gallbladders removed. Removing the gallbladder can cause other difficult health challenges as well.

So, what was I to do? As I have done with many aspects of my life, I decided to approach my gallbladder issue from an Eastern perspective. I made an acupuncture appointment with Dr. Jodi Knauer, who practices in Old Town, Alexandria. I began to see her weekly for acupuncture and started a Chinese herb regimen she recommended. I also turned to my favorite Ayurvedic doctor, Dr. Doulliard, who recommends cleansing the liver when bile sludge occurs. The liver produces bile, and the gallbladder stores it until it's ready to be released into the intestines to aid digestion. Apparently, my liver was producing thick bile that was clogging the gallbladder and producing inflammation as well as impeding healthy digestion. According to Dr. Doulliard, a combination of apple, beet, and celery juice taken every day can cleanse the liver and remove bile sludge. I started this right away! He also recommends eating a ton of veggies, including zucchini, parsley, and green beans, which I started doing immediately as well.

Within a few weeks after starting the process I outlined above, I no longer felt a jabbing pain in my back, my heartburn went away, and I haven't felt sick after eating since, not once. What is most amazing to me is that I spent months feeling uncomfortable before taking action, and the solution ended up being so simple. Imagine if I had waited longer to see the chiropractor and my symptoms had worsened and progressed into a more severe health problem or if I didn't seek out the advice of holistic practitioners. I don't want anyone else who might be experiencing the same symptoms that I did to miss the boat on their health.

Mind the Mat is offering a 14-Day Whole Food Summer Cleanse with nutritionist Janice Levitt who can help you jump-start any health-related goal you might have, including cleansing your liver and gallbladder. Sign up now, so you have time to prepare for the cleanse that starts on July 18!

Other Coooool Summer Workshops coming up at Mind the Mat:

Butts & Guts with Dr. Megan Brown, PT, on July 18. Don't miss out on this one. Save your spot now!

Childbirth Intensive with Carol Wyman, RN, on July 24 (virtual) and August 28 (in person). Carol has over 25 years of experience in the maternal-child field.

Synergy in Motion: A Yoga & Pilates Workshop with instructors Suzanne Kleeblatt and Katie Goode on July 25. These ladies are experts at their art and a hoot to be around. Find out from them how pilates and yoga work together to address your whole body and mind and why we need them both! Genius is the best word to describe the combination of tools for healthy movement that you will learn in this workshop.

 Prenatal Partners Massage: Prepare for Labor & Delivery on August 14 with experienced yoga instructor, birth doula, and massage therapist Sara VanderGoot. Partners will leave this workshop feeling empowered with a knowledge about the birthing process and a concrete set of tools to help their loved one through the stages of labor and delivery.

Yoga for Osteoporosis on August 21 with Marianne Meyers, an expert in yoga therapy. Yoga for osteoporosis is a specific practice that has been scientifically proved to improve bone density.  

Mind the Mat is committed to providing you specialized workshops, series, and classes with expert instructors in yoga and pilates for any time in your life, whether you are pregnant, just had a baby, are dealing with an injury, a chronic illness or you're an athlete wanting to improve your performance. Check out our weekly schedule of classes here, offered at both our Alexandria, Del Ray location and our Clarendon, Arlington location.  At this time, we are continuing to offer virtual, on-demand, outdoor, and in-studio classes.