doTERRA Wellness Advocate Starts Support Group for People with Chronic Pain

PLEASANT GROVE, UT –Tracy Strand suffered from chronic pain and depression for several years. She reached out to find a support group within her community but could not find any. So Strand, who is a doTERRA Wellness Advocate and a Holistic Health Coach, approached her church about starting a support group for church and community members with chronic pain, depression, anxiety, or any other chronic issues.

NIH Invisible Illness
NIH Photo

She started the Sammamish Presbyterian Church Hope Women’s Support Group (Hope SPC) for chronic pain and invisible illness. Invisible illness refers to any disability or condition that is not visible to others. This means the individual may look physically healthy. Many of these conditions are mental illnesses, or chronic conditions that cause limitations in daily life like depression and anxiety. The mission of Hope SPC is to cultivate faith and hope in order to encourage women who are living with chronic pain and invisible illnesses.

“Chronic and invisible pain can be a silent, painful burden to carry. Some of us try to do it all by ourselves so we don’t wear down our loved ones,” said Strand.

Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death in the United States, and visible conditions like heart disease, cancer, and strokes are among the most common chronic illnesses. For those with chronic pain or invisible illnesses, divorce and suicide rates are high. Not only do these individuals have to deal with the physical effects of their pain, but these conditions also take an emotional toll. Those living with invisible illnesses may appear healthy on the outside, but suffer from uncomfortable and painful ailments like migraines, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune diseases, Crohn’s disease, MS, diabetes, and more.

The SPC Hope support group aims to help each other through challenging times as they cope with their illnesses.

doTERRA International is thrilled to share Strand’s success and service and recognizes her as this week’s doTERRA Cares highlight. doTERRA Cares is an initiative through which doTERRA International recognizes and raises awareness for Wellness Advocates who contribute to worthy causes worldwide.

Note: The above was a press release from PR Newswire.

© Therapeutic Thymes, 2016

Author: Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman

Publisher/Editor