Muses

Wednesday’s Inspiring Woman ~ Elise Faust. The Healer.

I don’t seek professional help lots. I just plug away. Not that I recommend this. Two years ago, I kept popping painkillers walking around as my appendix grew to the size of a pizza pan. Thank God I got help with that before it was too late. (Like too late in a big way.)

But I strongly believe in the mind/body connection.

That’s why I was fascinated with Elise Faust’s, Doctor of Chiropractic, program on stress relief at a recent Chamber Women in Business meeting.

Here she is with her hubby, Mark….

Tell us about your personal life. Family.

Let’s see. I’m married, have two amazing daughters, and have lived here in Madison for 15 years. I am a Chiropractor by profession, but take immense joy in teaching yoga and Pilates (both of which I have done for many years). I went to New York University in Manhattan where I studied dance as well as Anatomy and Kinesiology. It was there I became a certified Fitness Trainer and Yoga Instructor and started a business working with clients individually.

After marrying my husband, and having our first child, I received my calling to become a Chiropractor. I refer to it as a calling because that’s exactly what it was. I fell in love with the science and philosophy of Chiropractic and made a commitment to go back to school (for 4 more years) and I have not regretted it for one moment in the 15 years I’ve been practicing.

Have you seen her daughters dance? Phenomenal. And so she dances like that too. Okay. If I were younger and not nearing self-actualization that could really, really make me jealous.

I’m still jealous.

What is your feeling on the mind/body connection? What can your practice offer a new patient?

The basic premise of Chiropractic is that the body is a self-healing organism with an innate God-given intelligence that desires health and balance and will do anything and everything in its power to maintain that health and create balance. The nervous system controls and coordinates all the functions of the body. If this system is working without interference then the body has the best chance possible to create that healing process. The spinal column houses that nervous system and if the bones within the spine are out of their proper alignment then imbalances get created in the adjoining soft tissue (muscles, nerves, ligaments and tendons).

Chiropractors are trained to detect where in the spine there are misalignments (subluxations) and correct them, allowing the body to begin the self-healing process, and come into a more balanced structural and functional state of health.

What about stress? There’s no way to get rid of it. Saying you’re not stressed is almost unAmerican.

Stress is chemical, emotional, and physical sensory input that the body then tries to accomodate and deal with it the best way it knows how. The problem for most people lies in the fact that:

A. They are not aware of what their stressors are. Therefore

B. They don’t recognize when that stressful sensory input is taking place. And finally

C. They really don’t know or don’t have the tools to properly address that stress and develop healthy balanced coping mechanisms.

It is my desire at this point in my life and career to more fully address this issue in our community and to be more accessible and available to people to help them in this capacity.

I do need help in this area. But what has already helped is your suggestion to identify my stressors and then stopping and choose how I react to them. The stressors will never go away — it’s just how we see them and react to them. No doubt, we all could use your help in this area.

I had to ask if this was her...or a picture of her two daughters. Who do you think?

What is your diet? Exercise? Relaxation? Since I have your captive e-attention — and you always have that beautiful smile and awesome lithe dancer’s frame….

Well, like everyone I struggle with poor habits that have resulted over time…that may be quick and easy because they are habits. But the older I get (yes, I’m 45, perimenopausal, etc.) a mere child the more I realize that I am responsible for the health of my body. I am tying to make the best choices that make me feel healthy, and thusly more balanced…some days great…some days like everyone else not so great. Moderation and balance are common words in my vocabulary. Extreme …be it in diet, exercise or anything else always leads to imbalance and more stress!!! LOL.

That’ s so very true. Hate to admit but the older I get it is all about balance. And I’m not by nature a very balanced individual. But I’m trying…there’s a book on my head right now sitting here typing this.

Describe a perfect day.

A perfect day for me. Wow that is a hard question! Waking up having a cup of coffee, lighting my candle and doing some spiritual reading, going for a run or doing yoga, going to work…(Yes I love my job!) Spending time with my beautiful daughters who are my joy! Eating a supper prepared by my husband (Who is an awesome cook!) And finding some time for reading. Life to me is perfect even with its hard times and challenging moments. They have to be part of the perfection we are talking about. Struggles are healthy and can be such an impetous for growth.

A moment in your life you felt inspired.

Inspiration? Well I would have to say that every single day I am inspired by patients, friends, my family. but I have to say that a moment in my life that I always come back to for inspiration is the day my sister in law, whom I was very close with, passed away from cancer (aged 30) She was ready, and I was with her, and she looked at me with tears rolling down her face and a gentle smile and said, “Elise…LIVE…”. I was 19 at the time and ever since that day any time I have been faced with struggle, I think of the strength she had and the passion and joy for life that she instilled in me, and so I LIVE….. that was beautiful. I know she is enjoying watching you and your beautiful family.

So if any of you have any questions or need any help on your road toward a healthier more balance lifestyle, call me! I would be glad and honored to be of service!!! My office number is 706-342-7115