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.
Do you want to find more balance and freedom in your body?
It all starts with a core muscle in the body called the Psoas Muscle. Better Posture is Possible at any Age.
This deep muscle is a connector between the torso and the leg. It originates in the lumbar vertebrae, crosses through the deep abdominal area until the it attaches to the smaller trochanter of the femur. It’s influence over how you walk and move can not be overrated. When it is out of balance, it can negatively affect the spine, and contribute to lower back and pelvic pain. Better posture is key to good health.
Finding better posture
Often you won’t hear doctors talk about this muscle, but it really is one that ought not be ignored. One of the best things you can do is bring your awareness to this core muscle. Why? This muscle is often tight and interwoven functionally with fear, and the fight or flight response. If left overstimulated, it could lead to pain. If you can find away to relax it, you’ll be surprise how much more effortless your movement will become.
Three things that you can do do relax it, and improve posture are:
Yoga poses can help stretch and release the psoas muscle.
Laying on your back with your knees up and feet on the ground, while relaxing for 10-15 minutes a day can help wonders.
Myofascial work and Craniosacral Therapy can relieve deep seated tension around the pelvis and lower back. As the fascia contains the musculature and organs, therapeutic approaches could release restrictions and re-align the spine.
If you are looking for a better posture, look to the psoas and how you can bring more peace and quiet to this part of your body.
I am not going to get into the physiology of Craniosacral, but rather focus on the experience.
When one thinks about life, there are absolutes and there are relative positions.
Absolutes are either all or nothing. It’s not easy for us to live in absolutes. From childhood, we are taught to identify different things with language. Each thing we name has shades of interpretation. It gives us a way to communicate verbally. It helps our cognitive thinking to grow and expand. Yet our spoken language can be so limiting. Have you ever wanted to write something about an eloquent moment or something that felt rich and sensory, but there just was no way to explain it to another?
When we become aware of our observation while it is watching, we can start to unravel everything that we have learned. Forms and shapes lose the meaning we have placed upon them, and we get to see with fresh eyes. Even deeper than that, we can uncover our true essence as we let go of our stories or attachment to what the outer physical world means to us. Our relative thinking disappears and we unearth a truer joy that it the best word I can find to describe out true selves. Where everything is One, that is the only Absolute. And even this explanation is encased in words.
I have found that as a Craniosacral Therapist that I dance with my clients in the quiet experiences of contact between the nervous systems and all the interconnection dialogue that takes place in a moment, and then in another. The endless thinking patterns can come to a stop and there is a feeling of being present and more fully alive. This doesn’t mean that our histories stop showing up, but we are aware of the “now” and can let those pass by without abuse, suffering or pain more and more as we become attuned to this type of living. The energy that has been trapped and kept in chaos comes into order. SomatoEmotional Release , in particular, is a process that allows our stories to pass through the moment as it clears to completion. More advanced practitioners are well versed in holding space and techniques for this to occur as the mind, body and spirit come together for integration.
Often with Craniosacral, I find that sensitive people are drawn to it. This is because they are experts at tracking their sensations and expression of self. Most of my clients who initially respond to Craniosacral Therapy will feel a lot on the table and walk away feeling great with new understanding. However, I also have clients who prefer deeper myofascial therapy work. I love the fascia, so I am happy to oblige with some Structural Integration or whatever they need. However, as they begin to feel more deeply into their body’s, they too begin to bring awareness to the subtle and find the benefits to such work. In most cases, it is helpful to work deeply at times, and range to the gentle sweet touch of Craniosacral too.
Life is about learning about our relative perspectives, but ultimately to be free, we must let go of the mind to feel and sense deeply as well. So whichever type of touch brings you to a greater awareness, jump into the dance. Feel it all. Wake up to your: touch, sounds, waves, melodies, sights and tastes. Find your fullness and feel the emptiness. Life is for the living and it’s all here.
Craniosacral Columbus
I have found that Craniosacral is a very enlivening type of therapy that revitalizes and evokes the deeper happenings of the soul.
What is like to be raw and vulnerable and to be held in kindness while feeling something real like that?
It is interesting when one begins the journey of self-discovery.
I remember even as a little girl wondering about why didn’t I feel connected any longer to other people. Being an identical twin, it seemed only natural that we would all feel and see and think similar things. Not—:) But I do remember at one point getting interested in ESP. Yet nobody seemed to talk about such things in the mainstream at the time. So I became like many others, loosing touch with my deeper sense of connection.
Then when I hit my early 30’s, I began to wonder again those basic questions that I think touch many people: Who AM I? Why am I here? What is my purpose? Again, I did not find many others who spoke about such things. Was it because I was a Pisces, a sensitive and creative woman?
But then I picked up a book, called Hands of Light, written by Dr. Barbara Brennan and felt a whoosh of ah ha. There are other people in the world who are aware of energy and connection in its more subtle forms. I really wanted to go to school right then and there, but I had young children, so I waited. At some point, it did all come together, and the stars aligned so that I might go. That school for me was a place for me so sacred and profound. I faced my deepest fears, touched into places I never imagined in my mind and heart. At the same time, I found it very difficult. I wanted my teachers to fit into my “picture of God” pure, peaceful, compassionate and wise. And they did carry some of these aspects, but they were humans just like me. With their own flaws and unconscious conditioning. So I struggled, I fought, and I cried. At this wonderful school of healing, there was still so much conflict and pain for me. Things left unhealed in them, and things left unhealed in me. But I wouldn’t have changed a thing as they were my guides to the next level of awakening. They laid the foundation for me to be in better relationship. They gave me the space and time to feel raw and dark, love and hate, and peace at such a level I had never known before. I was attached, but I had to leave. I departed with some incredible new friends spread across the globe and such mentors to help me on my way. One who held me close and saved me from myself more than once. Eventually I would teach and I still supervise students. I love the work that I learned there.
Next I moved into my Hakomi training. It was gentle approach from a psychotherapy perspective in mindfulness. The work itself, like the Brennan Science was amazing. Yet even within this quiet and easy container, I felt rage and anger. And wouldn’t you know it, a person from my Brennan Graduate class showed up who I didn’t feel comfortable with, who kept triggering me into my darkness. I loved the work, but I was always challenged. And in all this time, I found some of the instructors to be kind and understanding, and others judging me for feeling so unedited. Was there any place that I could be “real”?
Bert Hellinger’s work caught my eye. I studied there for a while. Learned about family order and lineage healing. Profound and touching our lives on a soul level.
Afterwards, I went into the school SPI for Trauma Training. I expected the founder of the school to be teaching as was advertised. That is why I signed up. But she took ill. A new teacher arrived and I felt so disappointed. Oh- my raw stuff again. But I learned new tools, I processed my “stuff” and away I went with another “tic” under my belt.
If that wasn’t enough, I decided to delve into the Upledger Institute’s work and found myself finally happy with a basic curriculum that focused on the physiological. It took me some type to develop my work, but I loved trusting the “Inner Physician” within my clients and just enjoyed riding the waves. Well, then as I advanced, I started getting more involved in the SER (SomatoEmotional Release) part of the curriculum. Well, you guessed it… in the group my deep feelings seeped right out again. Only this time, the holding was more dear. Not quite enough though. While I looked for someone on the outside to help me, I continued to have a small piece that kept on suffering.
Next stop on the journey, I decided to visit the Byron Katie School for 9 days. Now this was a shift. No bullshit and no Ego teaching here. Each person was taught how to ask 4 basic questions to then turn around in order to find our own answers. Any feelings I felt were mine. Nobody else to blame as all there was were the questions and my mind. What a relief. Taking responsibility for how I felt and created. With each of these teaching, I stepped out of my box and expanded and grew.
Last stop was on a farm in Northern Ohio. I studied with Jackie Stevenson with her horses to learn about equine self-discovery. This was my final destination to truly find inner peace. She held a position of such quiet unconditional love. She took no glory from the healing and growth there. She put the onus on each of us to have our own experience. There was no judgement from any of the participants that I could see. All egos left at the door. So good to be free to cry to say whatever was on my mind, and to stop hiding all that I judged within me. The horses were magical and everything was perfect there for the first time in my life.
Now I have a farm. I work with my horses and other animals. I have also worked with www.integrativeintentions.com in their dolphin program. I have taken everything that I have learned from all these great places and applied them to my life. I now can say, that I let life and every moment teach me. I have let go of wanting other people to give me what I longed for because I know that it is already here. I have felt raw and I have felt deep. But now those feelings feel so much softer and easier. Not saying that I no longer have my distortions or masks. But my tool box is full. My heart is full. And my brain understands things with much more clarity. I can live real as me now.
With all of this said and done, it is freeing being more real and authentic. There are prices to pay for coming out of your shell. People might rebel or leave you, but you will find yourself. I believe that is why we are here. To remember that God is right here inside and that we are the creative aspects of love embodied. It doesn’t mean ignoring your rawness, but it does mean allowing things to be as they are and to progress and they need in their own time. So be with the moment. Explore your relationships and grace will help you to uncover your greatness and essence. The journey is a wave. Ride it. Be it. And know that while this earthy world is temporary, that love is not. Something deeper is calling us all home. That something is real.
