It’s time for bed. It would be nice to have your 7-9 hours of sleep so that you can feel refreshed the following morning. But the obsessive thoughts about work or your relationships swirl around your brain non-stop. Maybe it’s too noisy or the ambient light in the room is keeping you up. It could be you are hungry or your hormones are out of whack. Whatever the problem, you aren’t getting the rest you need.
There are some easy fixes to this. Shorten your naps to 20 minutes or less. Turn a fan or white noise machine on, go get a healthy snack, turn off the blue light technology in the room, seal your mattress against mites, buy pillows for comfort just to name a few. But if after all of this, you still are not finding the rest you need, consider finding a certified Craniosaral Therapist through the Upledger Institute to help you to sleep and feel better. Good sleep is crucial to our health.
One of the best benefits that result from Craniosacral Therapy is a balanced Central Nervous System. The brain and the spinal cord can come back into optimal peak performance. Any type of stress can be listened to by experienced hands through the Craniosacral System. This type of gentle work is geared to support your body to find harmony and to use its own inherent process of self-correction. The body is always looking to respond with a healing response, and this work uses techniques to enhance your own healing power.
sleep
Often, after about 5 minutes on the table, many of my clients snooze off quickly. The Central Nervous System knows when there is connection, and with the techniques, the stress slips away. Many of my clients have come back to me saying that not only has there pain disappeared, but also that they are sleeping better, eating better, and feeling more upbeat. And this makes sense because when stress is eliminated, adrenaline and cortisone won’t keep the body in active alert.
I do have some clients that come in that can’t relax at all. Their eyes stay wide open or they talk through the whole session. However, the more work we do together, those things start to slip away, and they begin to quiet down. It’s like getting a treatment mixed in with a meditation. And for people who have trauma, Craniosacral Therapy can use SomatoEmotional Release to help support the client to sense and feel more deeply in their bodies. As this happens, old stressful memories give way to more energy and feeling more vital.
Cranosacral Therapy is a great balancer for helping to restore healthy sleep patterns. Don’t you deserve to give yourself a good nights rest? It’s easy to go out and be interested in so many things outside of ourselves, but it is essential to start within first to promote health and wellbeing. Our lives begin with how we feel.
Do you want to get your mind and body back on track? Find a way to relax again?
Most people who come into my office are looking for help in one of the four following situations:
Chronic Pain
Anxiety
PTSD
Concussions and TBI’s
Craniosacral Therapy in particular seems to address the symptoms associated with these conditions well.
One of the reasons why I became so intrigued with the Craniosacral type of work was that my practice attracted these types of issues, and I wanted to find a way to really connect and serve my clients. It was easy for me to see that many of the people who came in for a massage were feeling tense, and uncomfortable with their bodies. They were feeling stressed and afraid. So the first question I asked myself, was how do I help these people to feel better? And of course- the first thing that seemed necessary was to create a positive and trusting environment that allowed for deep healing.
How did I do start this journey?
I studied massage and bodywork, but also delved into body centered psychotherapy. With 2 years invested in Hakomi and some time studying trauma at SPI, I gained a good understanding of techniques. But I also went and had my own sessions so that I could expand and deepen my experience and hold a more rich and diverse space for clients to open up. I sincerely believe, that the more present we can be with ourselves as facilitators to the healing process, the more we are present for our clients. Furthermore, I studied at the Upledger Institute into the Advanced Levels, as well as going through the Highest Certification possible with them: The Diplomate. For this, I learned their methods on how to work with people on the table who were in need of emotional processing. This work is called SomatoEmotional work.
Some of the common principles that I work with are:
Creating Sacred Space- A place of safety and trust.
Allowing organic process to appear. No forcing or pushing, but rather being in time and space together.
Mindfulness- bringing awareness to the body in a gentle and kind way.
Using light touch that is caring. This allows the defensive patterns to be bypassed to go deeper.
Being aware of healthy boundaries
No giving advice. The Client has their own inner wisdom that can be engaged for self-empowerment.
Listening on various levels. Clients have much to say verbally, but also non-verbally. The body is a crucial aspect of the healing process.
Trusting the tissues, and the dialogue that happens in the silence.
Staying curious and in neutral. This means no judgments.
Keeping the work confidential unless instructed otherwise by client.
Using techniques that are supportive and nourishing.
Relax
Coming into the office, it’s important to find out for each individual, what helps them to relax. Sometimes people with anxiety and PTSD don’t have a clue how to do that. They may be used to living with hyper vigilance, guilt, disassociation, and or intrusive thoughts, just to name a few challenges. People who are tense or/and are in pain might not be able to focus on anything else. And I as the Craniosacral Therapist need to understand that there might be trauma, violence or emotional scarring that needs to be acknowledged.
So I listen to see what the stressors are. We address them one by one in a variety of ways. Sometimes this may take a few minutes and the person is snoring on the table, and other times, it may take many sessions. With patience, often the gentle touch of Craniosacral Therapy can sooth the Central Nervous system. I have had clients tell me after a few sessions that they can’t remember ever being so relaxed. The Craniosacral Therapy works with the cerebrospinal fluid that circulates around the brain and the spinal cored. Believe it or not, we craniosacral therapists can feel how it works with the body through a flexion and extension motion that can be felt anywhere on the body. Often when the system shuts off, we can tell when something significant is occurring, helping the body to release any cellular dysfunctioning. Our intention is to continue to support in as gentle a way a possible whatever unfolds and is ready to process. Also, I have personally studied the brain quite a bit, and find that is possible to directly dialogue with the tissues (i.e. meninges). Often clients who have not healed completely from concussions and TBI’s find great relief, more clarity, balance and presence after a series of sessions.
The key to learning how to relax again, and to letting go of painful and fearful states, is to bring awareness back to self in a kind, and compassionate manner. To be able to work together going deep into the Central Nervous System, we can help the body to come into better organization in its more natural way of being.
If you would like to find a way to relax again, safe hands and safe presence will help you to remember the way.
Overwhelmed is nothing more than leaving the current moment in our thinking.
One of the reasons why Craniosacral Therapy is so helpful to clients who are feeling overwhelmed is because the act of gently and trustingly touching a person can wake up the sensations in the body. Working with techniques as well as intention can bring the work to a whole new level of allowing awareness to grow. When a therapist works with the Craniosacral Rhythm, we are listening to what is happening is that specific interaction between therapist and client. We are curious about what IS…. and what the next wave of motion is going to be. By staying present in the moment with ourselves, we hold a template of sorts to bring our clients there with us.
Overwhelmed
Of course, even while staying present in the moment, the mind can wander in so many directions. There are stories, thoughts, beliefs that are melded with our emotions and our sensations. And often when we feel a sense of being overwhelmed, it is because we have at some level resisting allowing those to arise and to diffuse with the greater whole. First in the body, and then with the whole of life outside of the body.
By listening to the body, we can stay in neutral and support the upwelling of the creative wave. Things that have been suppressed, forgotten, avoided can re-emerge and take flight. People begin to feel alive again, with more vitality and a sense of empowerment. This though, can take courage because it was carefully wrapped up and tucked away for a good reason. And that may be scary, controlled or frozen. Craniosacral Therapy can help the therapist- client relationship to build trust, and a kind exchange of information that can unlock the non-consious. It is done organically and without advice, but rather with holding, care, and connection.
When we can slow down, breathe and learn Presence, it can alter our world. When we focus on what is right in our immediate lives with focus and clarity, it’s easier to love and to be kind. It’s easier to find peace when we are jumping into the future or escaping the past. It the moment, everything we need is available and present.
Whether you try Craniosacral Therapy or not, mindfulness and meditation can do much to alleviate the stresses of overwhelm.
Eckhart Tolle quote: Surrender is the simple but profound wisdom of yielding to rather than opposing the flow of life.
A mind at war is one that is fixed in judgment, or guilt or shame.
Life can only get easier when we go with life as it is. And help create the next creation with conscious choices.
My thoughts for the night about being overwhelmed. What say you?
The Meaning of Life… Waking Up. What does that mean to you?
So many people these days are so busy running their errands, taking care of things, and reaching for success. No problem with that. The Meaning of Life is in the doing.
But there are some people who have stopped and realized that real value means something else. And what usually happens is that when it becomes clear that there aren’t any real answers to life’s questions in the busyness, they begin to slow down and take account. In the quiet, they begin to get introspective and to start listening to another voice. A lighter voice. And that becomes clearer as they find their path to Waking Up. As that happens the Universe in its Divine Pleasure starts to resonate with the new direction of the Mind. The Meaning of Life is found and deepens as it illuminates each moment along the way.
The Meaning of Life can be discovered more easily using The Law of Attraction. Basically, what this means is that what you focus on is what you create in your life. In some of the New Age material, they suggest that you focus on the positive if that is what you want in your life. That can work miraculously as long as one is clear. But I would suggest taking it a step further and also acknowledging what is stressful as these situations arise and blocks your create flow with an objective as possible view. Because if we don’t do that- that thought can still take precedence over what we are thinking. As much as we might want to be positive, the unconscious mind shows up quite frequently in how we perceives things whether “for the good or the bad”. So it is important to notice our thinking process first, how we react to outside situations, and to accept What Is As It is. When we are at peace with ourselves and our relationships, even for just a moment- that clears the way for the next wave of Creation. Question the truth or the realness of those stressful thoughts too, and you’ll be amazed at how life can change. I recommend highly www.thework.com to get you on your way.
As we begin to let go of those stressful thoughts, that “like” energy will attract other “like” consciousness to us. When our minds are freed, we are open to that next thing that wants to happen. A mind that is Waking Up finds relief in day to day living. It begins to recognize that it is easier to drop resistance and duality. A mind that is Waking up sense a joy, even if it had been hidden for a long time. And this joy is more pervasive and long-term than a temporary material happiness. It is something that bubbles from within.
There are many people on the planet now who are Waking Up. These are the free thinkers who see that love and kindness are essential. They understand that the the heart can open and lead the way for the mind. These are the people who own their own craziness and have the courage to walk through the fire to know peace. Waking Up can be found anywhere. It is God talking to us and we are the listeners. We do so in surrender because we have learned to trust the compassionate light and its nourishment as Spirit lights the way for our human selves.
Each person has a way that they see the world. It is unique and made only for him/her. And all life is precious. But if we truly want to make a positive impact in our lives and with those we love, we must learn to be mindful and release all the learned beliefs that tell us that we are separate or different. True meaning instead, is about interconnection, and recognizing that we are all made of the same cloth with an opportunity to express it in different ways. But we must clear the way and focus on what brings us pleasure and warmness to our hearts for as much times as we can. Because that will allow of mutual partnership to flourish and make this a better world.
Joy
So Y’All. It’s time to sing together in peace. What say you?
A concussion is a traumatic type of brain injury that is impacted by some type of fall, blow or injury.
A concussion is not something to be taken lightly. I know. After treating many other people for concussions, I now am facing my own. I fell off my horse while landing on my buttocks and back, and also hit my head. Fortunately, I was wearing a good helmut. Since that time, I have rested quite a bit for the past two weeks, stopped most reading and writing, and took off even from the television for a bit. My doctor told me the best thing I could do is lay down in bed and close my eyes. I did the best I could, and it’s finally paying off. In the last few days, I have been applying some Craniosacral Therapy techniques to myself and have noticed an even better rate of improvement. Enough to think clearly and to write this short blog.
Fortunately, I did not lose consciousness, but I did lose my steadiness, and did get headaches for a while if I overdid it. I am so happy to be feeling better every day. Most people will fully recover from concussions, but others may not. Especially if there have been multiple incidents. So please take your health seriously. See a physician if you have any concerns that you have a concussion and make sure that self care is your priority.
Craniosaral with a focus on Glial Cells
Craniosaral with a focus on Glial Cells
Craniosaral for a Concussion with a focus on Glial Cells
I am in the process of setting up some appointment with a peer who does Craniosacral Therapy but also a therapist who knows how to focus on working with the glial cells. Why the glial cells? Lately, it has become increasingly better understood that the glial cells play a very important role in the functioning of the brain. In a class that I recently took from Tad Wanveer (an Upledger.com) therapist and teacher, I learned that through light biomechanics intention, dialogue and touch, that an experienced therapist can create wonderful improvements in how the brain works. The way that Tad explains this in his book, “Brain Stars, glia illuminating craniosacral therapy,” The Glia is more than glue. It is also plays an integral part in:
CNS development
Maintaining homeostasis
Supplying nutrients and oxygen
Synapse formation
healing injured neurons
sensory signaling
motor signaling
Cleansing of the CNS
Healing,
Production of the cerebrospinal fluid
Immune Response in the brain
Insulating
Flow regulation
Memory Processing
To destroy and Remove Waste
If the glia become over stressed or the environment in which they live- toxic, the CNS can be adversely toxic.
The good news is that the Glia can be touched and supported in a way that can repair and expedite the healing process.
As Tad says, ” Glial cells and neurons form and interdependent structural and functional system throughout the CNS that is fused with the Craniosacral System (CSS). This fusion ties place where glial cells attach to the pay matter membrane. The pain matter membrane in the innermost membrane layer of the CSS. It interconnects wit the other CSS membrane layers (meninges), and these layers connect to the bones of the cranium and spinal column. This bone to membrane to glial matrix is a dynamic biomechanical pathway CST practitioners cause use to help their clients correct nervous system dysfunction.”
In this class, I learned to touch into many parts of the brain and spinal cord. By listening and identifying through the different layers, one can come to appreciate the body’s innate ability to self-correct from a deep well of wisdom within. It is very possible to feel into structural and physiological restrictions and then to find a balance point for correction and to create better flow and drainage. In a more optimal environment, it is much easier for the brain and spine to heal.
It’s a bit ironic to me that my focus recently has been to work more and more with people who have concussions and TBI’s. And here I sit, healing with my own. But I feel very confident in the results I have had as a therapist with others, and also in my ability to work with myself, but also having incredible experiences from other therapists before. I know I am getting better, and this will resolve itself. I am back to working a light case load (craniosacral is not hard on the body or mind), and enjoying the miracles of interaction.
If you are feeling stressed about a concussion, please do take seriously that it is important to rest and heal. But I am here to tell you that there are some other integrative therapies that you docs may not know about. Craniosacral Therapy is an amazing hands on approach based on science, and experience that has helped countless others. At www.upledger.org you can see that the Upledger Institute has been helping football player to heal and feel better.
If you are local to the local Columbus area, and have a concussion, please give a call, and I am happy to offer a free 15 minute phone consult. Or look at www. upledger.com and find a Certified Therapist near you.
People who come in for a Craniosacral Therapy Session are often looking for corrections to their bodies such as with balance, healthy motion and dialogue. What they often leave with is a sense pain relief, more freedom in movement, and a sense of better grounding.
What makes a session helpful to clients is that they feel like their concerns are heard and that their therapist can speak the same language verbally, but also with their presence and hands.
In my experience, for the best results, the therapist is listening from moment to moment as to what the body is saying. As a client, I can really feel the difference when I am touched as to the quality of connection. So when I work, and teach other therapists, I offer this teaching as one of the most important guide posts to providing a valuable session.
Once this criteria is met, techniques come into play that can help the body to self-correct in the most gentle way. With Craniosacral Therapy, the touch is so light, that it feels like a whisper on the skin that nourishes and promotes efficiency and wellness. This is why it is such a wonderful therapy for ages from infancy to working with seniors. Almost all people can receive this type of work easily.
A trained Craniosacral Therapist will check the motion of how the cerebrospinal fluid is moving through the Craniosacral System (CSS). What he or she will feel are the flexion and extension phases that are constantly providing information to the therapist about any restrictions or dysfunctional patterns in the system itself, or with fascia and other parts of the body.
Once the pattern expressions are presented, the therapist listens, follows, and encourages gentle changes to help with symmetry, amplitude, rate and quality. This can have a great impact on how the CSS functions. When the Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) can flow freely, it allows the nerves to function more optimally. Without getting into too much detail, the clients often feel more balanced, at peace, and more centered after a session.
CST
I have been a Massage Therapist and Bodyworker for about 20 years. In the last 10 years, I have refocused much of my work into the field of Craniosacral Therapy, SomatoeEmotional Therapy, Brain Work and Visceral Manipulation because the effects are profound and yet the touch so tender and precise.
I have learned so much at the Upledger Institute because I value their contribution to the wellbeing of so many people across the globe. One man, Dr. John Upledger, explored into an unknown frontier and brought this science based medical work to hands on practitioners to bring health and joy back into individual lives. I have seen dramatic changes for people with chronic pain and energy issues, to people recovering well from TBI’s and concussions, back and and neck pain relief, fibromyalgia relief just to name a few conditions.
I don’t think that anyone can quite explain what a session is like. Yes, I could say that you come in fully clothed and you are touched this way or that. But hardly anyone expects how great they feel by the end of the session. This work goes beyond a gentle one hour treatment. Its reaches go deep into the cells along with the mind connection there. It simply is bliss. And the changes continue to happen for days, and often times longer.
As with most types of massage and bodywork, each client is unique. And each will have a different experience. One person may feel huge shifts the first time, and others- well it may take them some time to really relax. But most often they do, and people often discover new sources of tranquility, energy and a sense of Self.
So that is my take on Craniosacral Therapy at this point in my practice. I love the work. I love practicing it, and I love receiving it. It has helped me on so many levels: physically, emotionally, in my heart and with spirit. And I have been blessed to help others with it.
If you would like to learn more, or have some questions about Craniosacral Therapy, I do offer a free 15 telephone consult. I love to share this work, and hopefully I have educated and imparted an idea of how it can help you. I haven’t found one person yet who hasn’t found some benefit in CST.
