More Modalities
In 1986, after teaching the Alexander Technique for more than ten years, I took my first course in CranioSacral Therapy, an osteopathy-based modality that I found integrated remarkably well with the Technique. Gentle but sophisticated, Cranial gave me additional ways of addressing issues that were coming up in my Alexander teaching, and I continued to study it and include it in my practice.
A few years later I was introduced to Visceral Manipulation, another osteopathy-based discipline developed by Jean-Pierre Barral, D.O., a remarkable French Osteopath. Visceral work provided me with the link between the musculoskeletal system (the container) and the internal organs, or viscera (the contents.) Once I had been exposed to this work, I began to see how the container and contents influenced each other, and I realized that it made no sense to ignore either when I had the tools for working with both.
Dr. Barral has gone on to develop work with other body systems, and I continue to learn and apply his new work. I also act as a certified teaching assistant for some Visceral courses. As a result, when a new client comes to me I explain the varied kinds of work I do. Although I can restrict myself to the modality of their choice, I usually recommend that they allow me to choose the techniques that will, in my view, get them to their goals most easily and efficiently. I work with the client fully clothed, and all of the modalities I use are extremely gentle. They are described in more detail below.
A few years later I was introduced to Visceral Manipulation, another osteopathy-based discipline developed by Jean-Pierre Barral, D.O., a remarkable French Osteopath. Visceral work provided me with the link between the musculoskeletal system (the container) and the internal organs, or viscera (the contents.) Once I had been exposed to this work, I began to see how the container and contents influenced each other, and I realized that it made no sense to ignore either when I had the tools for working with both.
Dr. Barral has gone on to develop work with other body systems, and I continue to learn and apply his new work. I also act as a certified teaching assistant for some Visceral courses. As a result, when a new client comes to me I explain the varied kinds of work I do. Although I can restrict myself to the modality of their choice, I usually recommend that they allow me to choose the techniques that will, in my view, get them to their goals most easily and efficiently. I work with the client fully clothed, and all of the modalities I use are extremely gentle. They are described in more detail below.
CranioSacral Therapy
CranioSacral Therapy, developed by John Upledger, D.O, is a very gentle method of manually detecting and correcting blockages and imbalances in the CranioSacral system: the bones, membranes, and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Since this system influences the development and performance of the brain and spinal cord, an imbalance or restriction in it can potentially cause a wide variety of sensory, motor or neurological disabilities. Among the problems CranioSacral Therapy can address are chronic neck and back pain, headaches and migraines, eye difficulties, scoliosis, motor-coordination impairments, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), some emotional difficulties, and many more.
In a CranioSacral Therapy session I use a light touch — generally no more than the weight of a nickel — to monitor the rhythm of the client's craniosacral system and discover restrictions and imbalances. I then use very delicate manual techniques to release the problem areas I've discovered and relieve undue pressures. As restrictions and imbalances are removed, the body‘s own healing mechanisms take over to correct a wide variety of dysfunctions. For more information, please see www.upledger.com.
In a CranioSacral Therapy session I use a light touch — generally no more than the weight of a nickel — to monitor the rhythm of the client's craniosacral system and discover restrictions and imbalances. I then use very delicate manual techniques to release the problem areas I've discovered and relieve undue pressures. As restrictions and imbalances are removed, the body‘s own healing mechanisms take over to correct a wide variety of dysfunctions. For more information, please see www.upledger.com.
SomatoEmotional Release
In doing CranioSacral Therapy a release of emotional energy is sometimes necessary in order to discharge a trauma fully. This is particularly true when physical trauma and intense emotions are tied to the same experience.
SomatoEmotional Release is a technique of CranioSacral Therapy that allows the client to discharge impacted energy that has been generated by such events. Using gentle manual work and dialoguing, I help the client release the energy and allow the body to return to optimal functioning. The advantage of SomatoEmotional Release is that when a problem has both physical and emotional components, it's often impossible to deal with it with either physical work or talk therapy alone. Importantly, I don't impose my views on the client; I simply make space for a part of the client's unconscious to guide us to a resolution.
SomatoEmotional Release work is not necessary for everyone, but it can be uniquely effective when appropriate.
SomatoEmotional Release is a technique of CranioSacral Therapy that allows the client to discharge impacted energy that has been generated by such events. Using gentle manual work and dialoguing, I help the client release the energy and allow the body to return to optimal functioning. The advantage of SomatoEmotional Release is that when a problem has both physical and emotional components, it's often impossible to deal with it with either physical work or talk therapy alone. Importantly, I don't impose my views on the client; I simply make space for a part of the client's unconscious to guide us to a resolution.
SomatoEmotional Release work is not necessary for everyone, but it can be uniquely effective when appropriate.
Visceral Manipulation
Our organs are in perpetual motion: when we breathe, walk or stretch, for example, our organs move in our chests and abdomens. These movements are transmitted through fascia to other structures of the body. When we are healthy, all the structures move with an interconnected fluidity. However, when there are restrictions the body is forced to compensate, and these compensations can ultimately create problems that manifest at some distance from the original restriction. Among the systems that can be affected are the musculoskeletal, vascular, nervous, urinary, respiratory, and digestive systems.
Visceral Manipulation is a gentle manual modality that uses light, specifically placed touch to encourage normal mobility, tone and inherent tissue motion of the viscera (internal organs) and their connective tissue. In working with clients, I gently feel for altered or decreased motion within the viscera, as well as restrictive patterns throughout the body. As I apply appropriate Visceral Manipulation techniques, restrictions are removed, leading to improvement in the physiological functioning of the organs, the systems they function within, and the structural and functional integrity of the entire body.
In the course of developing his work, Dr. Barral came upon ways of working very effectively with systems other than the Visceral system. He has developed a multi-course modality called Neural Manipulation (manipulation of the nervous system), VisceroVascular Manipulation (manipulation of the circulatory system), and New Manual Articular Approach (a way of working with the joints.) I find them very valuable, and use them as well. For more information, please see www.barralinstitute.com
Visceral Manipulation is a gentle manual modality that uses light, specifically placed touch to encourage normal mobility, tone and inherent tissue motion of the viscera (internal organs) and their connective tissue. In working with clients, I gently feel for altered or decreased motion within the viscera, as well as restrictive patterns throughout the body. As I apply appropriate Visceral Manipulation techniques, restrictions are removed, leading to improvement in the physiological functioning of the organs, the systems they function within, and the structural and functional integrity of the entire body.
In the course of developing his work, Dr. Barral came upon ways of working very effectively with systems other than the Visceral system. He has developed a multi-course modality called Neural Manipulation (manipulation of the nervous system), VisceroVascular Manipulation (manipulation of the circulatory system), and New Manual Articular Approach (a way of working with the joints.) I find them very valuable, and use them as well. For more information, please see www.barralinstitute.com