A Typical Session
I start each session by asking how you are doing and listening to what you think is important for me to know. We discuss what you would like to get from the session. The goal is to clarify what you want and how we can work to best serve your needs.
You then lie on a cushioned treatment table. (Because the client is normally clothed for this work, wearing loose casual clothes is best.) I begin to work by assessing the conditions in your body by gently palpating the tissues for restrictions and then move to a treatment phase lasting the majority of the session. At the end there is a short rest/integration period. I explain everything I intend to do and you are encouraged to ask questions at any time. A session lasts about 1 hour.
Connective Tissue - The Source Of Many Problems
Mostly I work with a type of connective tissue called fascia. Fascia wraps around every structure and organ in the body and has connections to virtually all other structures. It surrounds the bones, organs, heart, muscles, blood vessels, the brain and nerves. There is even a layer under the skin that surrounds the body. The fascia is a 3-dimensional web that literally connects and holds the entire body together. Bodyworkers are fond of saying you can trace a continuous path from any point in the body to any other point by way of the fascia.
Many aspects of pain, headaches, injuries and health problems involve a restriction of movement in some aspect of the body's anatomy or physiology. Usually the restriction involves the connective tissue (fascia) of the body. Normally fascia is pliable and the different layers of fascia slide and glide over and around each other easily. But if fascia is twisted or irritated from an injury, disease, stress or postural problem it will often stay twisted or form adhesions and restrictions.
These fascial distortions restrict any structures, organs and muscles connected to them and usually produce the pain, symptoms and dysfunction that cause people to seek help. I use a combination of gentle techniques to release these connective tissue restrictions.
There are some common analogies for twisted fascia. One analogy is the uncomfortable binding sensation you can have when your bed sheets and blankets become twisted. Or perhaps you can remember when the layers of your clothing got twisted - shirt or blouse going one way, sweater another way, coat still another way. The end result is an uncomfortable binding sensation. This is what happens with the layers of fascia when they are twisted and stuck together.
Like a spring under pressure the tissues of your body have an inherent ability to self-correct. With the right encouragement tissues will unwind, release restrictions and move back to the correct alignment. This is what I do when I work with the body. I gently unwind the twisting and release the binding. That relieves the pain and symptoms and allows the healing process to move forward unimpeded.
Therapies
Primarily I use three related therapies. These are craniosacral therapy, visceral mobilization, and myofascial release. They all work to release superficial and deep restrictions throughout the body and are gentle, effective and often immediately relieving.
As needed and with a clients permission, I also incorporate orthopedic massage, deep tissue work, somato-emotional release, energy therapy and mind-body therapy. The important thing to remember about these therapies and supporting techniques is that they are just tools. We can choose those that fit your personal situation, comfort and preferences. The goal is always to address the problems efficiently and appropriately so you can become free of pain and symptoms.