18 Wednesday, January 27, 2021 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Mind-body therapies promote well-being By Katy Yoder Correspondent Pain happens. Sometimes it starts in the mind, sometimes from an injury. As we live with the discom- fort, the true origins of that limp or lower back pain or headache or stiff knee are hard to pin down. We get used to it. We accommodate it; and quite often, our mood is affected by it. Stoicism, finances and, these days, fear of COVID-19 can stop us from seeking help. The mind-body connection can be described as a person9s feelings, thoughts, or behaviors and how they physically manifest in the body. Thoughts, feelings, beliefs and atti- tudes can positively or negatively affect biological functioning. Our minds affect how healthy we are. On the flip side, how we manage the body as it relates to nutrition, exercise, and other activities can either benefit or undermine our mental states. A deep dive into beliefs about mind-body connections is compli- cated territory. Finding a guide to understand and navigate mental and physical challenges can get you closer to feeling better. Mind-body modali- ties abound in Sisters. Practitioners offer a wide variety of treatments used to overcome chronic and acute pain. Kendra Littrell manages the Shibui Spa, known for its tranquility and oasis-like environment.