Verbal First Aid: Words ARE Medicine

MIND IS MATTER The simple truth of verbal first Aid “what is mind? No matter. What is matter? Never mind.”

Why Verbal First Aid is
so important:
It can save someone’s life
It can save your life
It can keep you out of court
People tend to sue when they believe their needs were ignored or that no one cared about them.

The Power of Thought messages in water by masuro emoto Lake water before prayer Lake water after prayer

Molecules changed
by
Thought.
You make me sick Thank you Om Namah Shivaya

verbal first aid works because
Words impact physiology:
Words generate images
Images generate emotions
Emotions generate
cascades of chemistry.

If What you say matters... If it is even remotely possible that words have an effect on the limbic system, the endocrine system, the circulatory system, the respiratory system, and the G.I. tract then it is utterly reasonable to use them very, very carefully.

Verbal First Aid™ Options
Do something
Say something
Do something and say something
Do and say nothing

Words are medicine. "During periods of great stress, words that seem immaterial or are uttered in jest, might become fixed in the patient's mind and cause them untold harm." (American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 1987) In shock, the impact of words is magnified.

The effect of words is not only seen in emergencies, but in daily life. They have a cumulative effect.

Emergency workers’ protocol m. erik wright, md, phd The kansas experiment (1976)

The wright words
" The worst is over. We are taking you to the hospital. Everything is being made ready. Let your body concentrate on repairing itself and feeling secure. Let your heart, your blood vessels, everything bring themselves into a state of preserving your life. Bleed just enough so as to cleanse the wound, and let the blood vessels close down so that your life is preserved. Your body weight, your body heat, everything, is being maintained. Things are being made ready at the hospital for you. We're getting there as quickly and safely as possible. You are now in a safe position.
The worst is over."

Post-it notes
For the practice of
verbal First Aid™.

Post-it note #1.
Stress and shock cause an
altered state.

Post-it note #2.
In an altered state
We are more
suggestible and our
attention is Fluid.

Post-it note #3.
Establish rapport .
rapport is the
foundation of
Verbal first Aid™.
It means
“ this person hears
me and
understands.”

Post-it note #4.
Get an alliance.
In study after study,
hand-holding was one of the
Most important reassurances
Given to people in crisis.

Post-it note #5 .
Establish benevolent
Authority.
In crisis, you are
The pack leader…
Lead them to health.

Post-it note #6.
Use Non-verbal First Aid.
Eye contact
Physical contact
Soothing sounds
Breath
Intention/prayer

Post-it note #7.
Make an offer they can’t
refuse…
Use suggestion to
lead to
wellness.

Two things to know about verbal first aid™: 1. It is not therapy. It is about being therapeutic no matter where you are or what you do for a living. 2. You cannot use this to manipulate agreement, compliance or accord. Your intention always manifests.

Contact Judith Acosta, LISW 914-584-7394 or 505-771-2282 www.wordsaremedicine.com

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Verbal First Aid: Words ARE Medicine

by Judith Acosta on May 19, 2009

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