Somatoemotional Release
Many unresolved, long term, symptoms have a close and essential relationship with the mind that may not be apparent. Often this mind-body link must be given attention in order for the symptoms to clear up completely and permanently. The somatoemotional (somato-emotional) release aspect of craniosacral therapy is an effective and gentle way to work with problems that have this mind-body link. The term somatoemotional is another way to say mind-body. Emotional refers to the mind and Somato means muscle (body). With a client's permission it can be seamlessly incorporated into the body therapy and be tailored to the client's comfort and sensitivily needs.
Tissue Memory
Somatoemotional (somato-emotional) release work involves tissue memory. Cells and tissues, such as muscle, connective tissue, bone, and organs can store memories related to experiences we have. This tissue memory ability is now widely acknowledged and is being actively researched in the mind-body field of psychoneuro-immunology.
An Example
A simple example of how somatoemotional (somato-emotional) release could be used might involve a shoulder injury received from a fall on the stairs. The shoulder absorbs the forces of the impact and at the same time a tissue memory of the experience is formed. Part of the memory might be a small, unconscious, protective contraction in the shoulder due to painful memories of the fall. If the unconscious contraction and memory are not fully resolved as the shoulder heals the contraction will remain in the shoulder.
This contraction can produce strain patterns that extend into the neck or other parts of the body. The body is usually able to compensate for these small strain patterns and the shoulder feels normal. However, days, weeks or even years later this constant strain can lead to a chronic, painful problem in the neck that is resistant to therapy because the underlying cause is not apparent.
As craniosacral therapy engages the contraction in the clients shoulder, the the fall on the stairs may be remembered. Once this memory association is acknowledged and processed the unconscious contraction in the shoulder resolves. As it does, the strain on the neck is relieved and the neck problem will get better.
Transforming Problems
Somatoemotional release is often used to help resolve problems associated with injury or physical trauma such as car accidents, falls, surgery and challenging life experiences.
Using craniosacral therapy and somatoemotional (somato-emotional) release in this way can help transform problems that seem intractable and unmanageable. It can facilitate change using a process that can be tailored to fit the client's needs and adapted to their specific requirements for sensitivity, comfort and pacing.
Somatoemotional release combined with other mind-body therapy can also help relieve stress, anxiety, tension and the many conditions that are caused or aggravated by stress and anxiety.