Healthcare ~ Selfcare Soulcare
I was delighted to turn my calendar last week to find this beautiful piece of art by Elizabeth VanDuine. Despite the April nor’easter, I find this image cheering and hopeful. Happy Spring to all of you!
|Craniosacral Therapy|
As I mentioned in my last newsletter, I did indeed attend a four day training on craniosacral therapy this winter. You might ask, what is craniosacral therapy? Well… it is:
a light-touch, whole-body treatment technique that works with the body’s craniosacral system to support and nourish the central nervous system — improving overall health and well-being
a complementary method of hands-on bodywork; facilitating balance within the natural and unique rhythms of the different body systems
a technique that helps to alleviate the aches, pains, and strains of life; improving coping mechanisms to allow for better management of stress
an intentional modality that improves the body’s ability to self-care; yielding profound, positive changes.
This work challenged my palpation skills and rocked my own thinking around what bodywork looks like and feels like. In the last several years I have been kindling a curiosity about the power of lighter touch and energy work. This was a fantastic opportunity to dip my toes fingers into this world in a way that aligns with my personal beliefs. For those of you who know me, you probably can see that I value having one foot in the western world of medicine and another in a holistic realm that honors the anecdotal wisdom of the ages. Craniosacral work provides this for me. While there is an undeniable presence of intentionality and energy work within the modality, its foundation resides within the science of anatomy and physiology.
|Is craniosacral for you?|
Already I see craniosacral work seeping into my typical sessions. You may have noticed a slower pace and sometimes even a stillness in my hands that might either leave you wondering what I am doing (anything?) or put you right to sleep.
A stand alone craniosacral session is about an hour on the table, face up and fully clothed. The touch is very light and consists of gentle holds at various places on your body, though much of it involves your spine and head.
I am exploring and incorporating craniosacral work within a more typical massage session. In order to build it in with an agreeable flow, I would encourage a 90 minute session starting with massage on the back body for about half of the time finishing in a face up position with quiet, more relaxing craniosacral work. Or maybe the other way around - craniosacral first, followed by massage. It is really a fluid decision depending on how we both show up to the session.
Craniosacral therapy is deeply relaxing work. For me, when receiving it, I am able to go to that welcome place of rest, nearly sleep, that I rarely can access otherwise. I find it grounding, restorative, and profound. If I am craving oil on skin and deep muscle rubbing, this is not the work I turn towards, but if I have been anxious, overextended, or just unable to find a sense of peace in my life, craniosacral work can be a great reset. For me it feels like internal house cleaning, like all of my cells have come into harmony. I wonder how it would feel for you?
Relaxation is the gateway to healing. When we upregulate the relaxation response and downregulate the stress response we set the stage for our bodies to balance and repair.
-inspired by Jill Miller, Body by Breath
|Invitation|
Unlike many forms of healthcare, a massage therapy session always seems to come with some new age relaxation music in the background. Over the years I have basically played whatever CD or Spotify playlist is most handy. I think it would be excellent if I were talented at curating the best playlist for you, but I don’t suppose that is actually my expertise.
That being said, please weigh in! I have Spotify streaming through the office iPad so if you would like to share your preferred playlist with me, please text it before your appointment. Or if not that, feel free to let me know any general preferences you may have that I can easily look up on Spotify.
|Share|
Here is a TED talk that I hope you might take some time to view. It’s called Why Things Hurt, presented by Lorimer Moseley. I think it is relatable, helpful, and funny. Have a look, it might help you reframe the way you think about pain.
