My Awakening to Empathic Intuition
This post was inspired by Dr. Danny DeReuter, who recently shared his empathic experience in chiropractic school. Thank you for sharing your story and encouraging me to do the same.
Lately, I’ve been obsessed with The Telepathy Tapes, a podcast that explores the experiences of autistic children and the research surrounding their telepathic abilities. A client of mine recommended it, and now I can’t stop telling people about it. To be honest, my fascination with psychic phenomena has been with me since childhood so this seemed to be the perfect opportunity to share my own personal experience with extra sensory perception.
Recognizing My Sensitivity
Throughout my life, I have been tapped into an unseen energetic connection to others, though I didn’t always have the words to describe it. I recall speaking with my “imaginary” friends, having deep conversations with animals, bugs, and plants, and sensing my family’s emotions before they even expressed them. I often lucid-dreamed, exploring realms beyond the physical to seek answers to my endless questions.
For a long time, I assumed everyone experienced the world this way. But as I began to share my experiences, I noticed the strange looks and, worse, the unspoken doubt and skepticism in others' minds. Fearing judgment, I learned to keep my experiences to myself. This suppression of my true nature eventually manifested physically, culminating in Graves’ disease, a thyroid autoimmune condition, during my senior year of high school.
At the time, I didn’t understand that my heightened sensitivity was part of being an empath. Unlike HSPs, who feel deeply but may not absorb others' emotions, empaths take on the energy and emotions of those around them—sometimes to the point of physical exhaustion. Without this awareness, I spent years searching for external solutions to my inner struggles.
A Journey Back to Myself
Looking back, I now understand how throat chakra imbalances arise when we silence our truth. But back then, I spent ten years searching for a solution outside myself. I tried medication, radioactive iodine treatments, every fad diet imaginable, rigorous exercise programs, and even trained for a half-marathon, hoping that crossing the finish line would somehow miraculously heal me. Yet nothing worked. I had lost faith in conventional medicine and began questioning everything I had been taught. Then, as if by divine intervention, the universe redirected me.
My attempts to run long distances with an imbalanced physical structure led to excruciating foot pain. This sent me down a YouTube rabbit hole, searching for natural pain relief. After watching countless chiropractic adjustments, I scheduled my first appointment. Hobbling in, I wasn’t sure what to expect. If it didn’t help, I figured I’d revert to traditional pain medication, a foot brace, and rest.
I never truly believed in miracles—until that day. I walked out of my first adjustment feeling as though I had just met God. A fire had been reignited within me and my inner light had been turned back on. Not only did my foot pain start to resolve, but I also noticed subtle yet profound shifts: increased energy, deeper sleep, clearer skin, greater strength, and even a reduction in PMS and menstrual pain. My body was realigning with my spirit, yet my mind still craved understanding. I heard the whisper of my intuition and followed it all the way to chiropractic school.
The Overwhelm of an Empath in a Chaotic World
The more I studied, the more I trusted the body’s innate wisdom. And as I deepened that trust, my empathic nature—dormant for over 20 years—began reawakening. Suddenly, sitting in class became overwhelming. The collective anxiety of my classmates weighed on me, making it impossible to focus. One day, desperate for relief, I sought refuge in the farthest corner of the room. A professor noticed and asked if I was okay. I burst into tears and confessed, “I know this might sound crazy, but I can feel everyone’s anxiety, and I can’t take it anymore.” He nodded knowingly and said, “Oh, you’re an empath. Nothing to worry about. You’ll learn how to find your center in time.”
It was the first time I had ever heard the term—or at least, the first time I had truly acknowledged it. More importantly, it was the first time I felt seen. I must have looked like a deer in headlights as I sat there in shock.
As I came to understand with time, many empaths go through life absorbing the emotions and energy of those around them without realizing it. We can walk into a room and instantly sense tension, sadness, or joy—not just observing it, but feeling it as if it were our own. We notice subtle shifts in tone, facial expressions, and even energy. While this sensitivity is a gift, it can also be exhausting if we don’t learn how to manage it.
Illness as a Disconnection Between Body, Mind & Spirit
As I progressed through my studies, I began to see illness from a new perspective:
What if every disease, every diagnosis, is simply a disconnect between the body, mind, and spirit?
I was drawn to the “unconventional” extracurricular studies that my colleagues often overlooked. Applied Kinesiology and Acupuncture opened the gateway into a deeper understanding of the body’s energetic and physiological connections. Through Applied Kinesiology, I was introduced to manual muscle testing, surrogate muscle testing, acupressure points, the chakra system, and the intricate relationship between the nervous system, muscle function, and organ function. Acupuncture further deepened my awareness to the flow of Qi, the meridian system, the principles of yin and yang, and the profound wisdom of the Five Element Theory—an ancient framework that links emotions, organs, and seasonal cycles to overall well-being.
Additionally, chiropractic philosophy emphasized the body’s innate ability to heal itself when interference in the nervous system is removed. This holistic perspective resonated deeply with me, reinforcing the idea that structural alignment, energy flow, and overall wellness are interconnected. The fusion of Applied Kinesiology, Acupuncture, and Chiropractic principles revealed a fascinating bridge between Western and Eastern approaches to health, sparking my passion for integrative healing.
As my awareness expanded, so did my ability to tap into others' energy. I could not only sense emotions—I could now also feel their physical ailments within my own body. At first, I thought I was falling apart until I noticed a pattern: their pain would fade from my body after our session—or at least as soon as I could recognize the pain was not mine!
One of my most profound experiences came while working as an independent contractor at a chiropractic office. I was at our second location when I received a call about a new patient, but no details were given. Suddenly, I found it difficult to breathe. I thought I was having a panic attack—until I saw a woman walking in, connected to an oxygen tank. She had COPD. The moment I saw her, my breath returned to normal. That day, I realized I could pick up on how people were feeling the moment they set the intention to enter my space, even before they stepped foot in my office.
Without guidance, I was still an infant in understanding my gift. I didn’t realize I was absorbing and transmuting others’ pain, unknowingly taking on what wasn’t mine to carry. This, of course, is not ideal. It robs people of their own journey, their process, and their lessons. Eventually, I hit my breaking point. Burnout loomed, and in my desperation, I prayed for guidance. The universe answered—leading me to Reiki.
For the first time, I felt validated. Reiki taught me how to channel energy rather than absorb it, transforming my abilities into tools for empowerment rather than burdens to bear. As I continued to learn about energy and what it means to be empathic, I began to fully embrace my identity as an empath.
Embracing Life as an Empath
In my experience, embracing life as an empath is about understanding your unique gifts, setting boundaries, and cultivating self-care practices that support your emotional and energetic well-being. Here are some key concepts I’ve picked up along the way to help myself thrive:
Recognize Your Sensitivity as a Gift
Your ability to feel deeply is a strength, not a weakness.
Create Energetic and Emotional Boundaries
Practice shielding techniques to protect your energy.
Learn to say no and limit exposure to negativity.
Prioritize Rest and Recharging
Engage in meditation, nature walks, and grounding activities.
Ensure quality sleep to process emotions and energy.
Develop Grounding Techniques
Walk barefoot on the earth or use grounding stones like black tourmaline.
Utilize sound healing to help recalibrate your innate vibration.
Surround Yourself with Understanding People
Seek community with other empaths or healers.
Honor Your Intuition
Trust your gut feelings and explore intuitive practices like Reiki or other energy healing modalities.
Release the Need for External Validation
Your experiences are valid, even if others don’t fully understand them.
I often think of the autistic clients I see in my office and wonder if they feel as I did the day I rediscovered my empathic nature—overwhelmed by an influx of information without a way to process it. When we don’t understand what’s happening, it can feel extremely dysregulating. But when we do understand, we can transform our sensitivity into our greatest strength. After listening to The Telepathy Tapes, I finally understand why my clients on the spectrum always seem so comfortable around me.
Empaths are not broken (just as autistic individuals are not broken)! We are conduits of healing, intuition, and deep connection. The key is learning how to navigate this gift with awareness, intention, and self-care. Everyone has access to this ability—it's a part of your divine nature, waiting to be embraced. I’m here to help guide. Don’t hesitate to reach out.