Just like you, I want predictable, fast results. It would be so much easier if I had specific protocols for each condition, symptom, illness, or disease. I would love it if people would react exactly as I expect, in every situation. If I prescribe X herb, Y results. If I needle X point, Y response happens. But this is not reality–not just for acupuncture, herbal prescriptions, and other natural health therapies, but also in life.

Sometimes you’re not exhausted after a poor night of sleep; other times you’re tired despite a solid eight hours of shuteye. Sometimes you can eat that piece of pizza with extra cheese; other times you get bloated even just thinking about it. Sometimes Tylenol gets rid of your headache entirely; other times it it does nada, naught, zilch, zip, zero, nothing.

So, of course, just like the ads say in small print, results can vary. But that’s not a bad thing. In order to get true healing, not quick temporary fixes, you need to allow yourself to ease into the journey.

A Winding Journey of Healing

The path of healing often resembles a winding road—sometimes moving forward, sometimes plateauing, and occasionally even feeling like it’s regressing. One acupuncture session may leave you feeling energized and pain-free, while the next might bring up emotions or initially leave you a bit achy. These shifts don’t mean the therapy isn’t working. On the contrary, they often indicate that deeper layers of imbalance are surfacing and being addressed.

This variability often frustrates those who are used to quick fixes and immediacy. Our waning attention spans and reduced patience are at least partially the result of our modern world, consumerism, and our dependence on technology. We have so many things vying for our attention—a flood of information coming at us 24/7. The things is, our biology can’t keep up with that pace. The human body doesn’t operate like a machine. It’s a complex system affected by lifestyle, emotions, environment, and time. Healing within this system is an unfolding journey, not a straight highway.

Just because progress isn’t immediate or consistent doesn’t mean it’s absent. Healing happens in layers, peeling back old patterns, trauma, and tension that have often built up over years or decades. As these layers are addressed, different symptoms or emotions may arise. This can feel unsettling but is actually part of the body’s natural recalibration process.

One of the most important things to remember during this process is patience—and trust. Trust in your body’s innate wisdom to heal. It’s also vital to recognize that healing is deeply personal. Two people may receive the exact same treatment but respond entirely differently. That’s because healing doesn’t follow a standardized script. It’s tailored by your history, your biology, your beliefs, and your current circumstances.

Setting realistic expectations and allowing space for the process is essential. While some improvements may be felt quickly, most sustainable healing requires consistency, openness, and time. Think of it like planting a seed. You don’t water it once and expect a tree the next day. You nurture it, adjust its environment when necessary, and wait patiently for it to grow strong roots and begin to bloom.

Moreover, healing is not always about the complete disappearance of symptoms. Sometimes, it’s about a greater sense of peace with what is. It may involve gaining a new perspective, increasing resilience, or learning how to support your well-being more effectively moving forward. These are victories just as meaningful as physical relief.

Ultimately, whether through acupuncture, herbal remedies, dietary changes, or any other therapeutic method, healing is a journey—one that invites us to slow down, listen to our bodies, and let go of rigid expectations. It reminds us that we are ever-changing beings, and that transformation doesn’t happen on a schedule.

So, if you find yourself on the path of healing and wondering why it’s not a straight line, remember: nature rarely moves in a straight line either. Trust the process, honour your pace, and know that every step, no matter how small, is part of your evolution toward wellness.