![]() (shared with permission) Some months ago a client was telling me of all the moving pieces she felt the need to control with regards to a particular event in her life, in order for things to go well, and for her to meet the goals that she had. Putting the pieces in place had been an ongoing effort for many months and it was obviously emotionally and mentally draining for her. I said to her that it seemed she was pushing a very large boulder up a steep, steep hill. She said that was what this felt like. I asked her what was the worse that could happen if she just stepped aside, stopped pushing the boulder and let go. Silence.
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Something I hear often from clients during or at the end of their sessions is “I didn’t know that muscle was tight, or sore, until you were massaging there” or “I didn’t realize how tense and stressed I was until I was quietly lying on the massage/reiki table”. Most holistic therapies encourage relaxation, and when added to a quiet atmosphere many people begin to breathe more deeply, become more present in the moment and become more aware of where they are holding stress and tension in their body, mind and/or spirit.
Shared with client's permission.
We had the most interesting experience yesterday, a client and I. During a Craniosacral Therapy session my client displayed, in real time, a response from the Vagus Nerve. It was pretty amazing to be a part of! Stress in it's chronic or acute stages can be debilitating to mind, body and spirit. The changes it creates in the body can lead to emotional responses of depression and anxiety.
~ even if you haven't had Covid-19. ![]() I have noticed that the pandemic we are in, and have been for three years, has shown visible symptoms in every client that I've seen through that time. Regardless of occupation, age, beliefs, etc. many are exhibiting the symptoms of PTSD and Chronic Stress. Yes, it is more intense with those clients in Healthcare and the Teaching professions, however it has been obvious in everyone. ![]() How is your Vagus Nerve Tone? After the past two years and the impact of a pandemic on our daily lives, I'm going to guess that its not that good. If the stress of Covid was placed on top of existing stress or physical/emotional trauma, your Vagus Nerve tone is probably struggling. The majority of us have had to modify and adapt our personal and work lives, as well as limit our social engagements. There have been many unknowns as we've tried to safely navigate our lives and keep others safe. The result has been chronic stress at varying levels. (The pandemic has made stress appear to be more prevalent however many people were already dealing with the burden of chronic stress and unresolved trauma prior to Covid.)
Diabetes is a condition that most are familiar with, whether you are diabetic or pre-diabetic yourself or know someone with Diabetes.
While Massage, Reflexology, Reiki and other forms of holistic therapies are safe for diabetics, there are some things to consider both before and after your sessions. This past week I had the opportunity to participate in 2 workshops for enhancing Craniosacral Therapy outcomes for clients. While there was a lot of fascinating information shared one topic that stood out to me was the role of Craniosacral Therapy in gently releasing muscular restrictions in the body, versus Deep Tissue Massage where that release is forced, through pressure.
![]() Gentle, slow unwinding of Fascia while also opening up any restrictions in the movement of cerebral spinal fluid, are the goals of a Craniosacral Therapy session. I often find that if a muscle is not letting go with traditional Massage Therapy, that a gentle Craniosacral hold to the area will do the trick. Sometimes muscles require a lighter touch to respond. |
Teresa Graham,
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