Massage, like many other healing modalities, promotes overall good health rather than cures any specific symptom in a single session. Utilized as part of a healthful regime that includes proper nutrition and exercise, massage can propel the seemingly imperceptible healing process forward.
According to “Healing Journey” in the “True Health” newsletter published by the Association for Research and Enlightenment, common themes of the healing journey include others noticing the gradual signs of healing before the person being healed does; the cleansing of the body that promote little healings; engaging the mind to keep a positive attitude and celebrate little healings; and acknowledging that sometimes a condition can worsen before it can improve.
CranioSacrally speaking
“In CranioSacral Therapy, there are different ways to approach different things. The therapist can work on structural relief, helping the inertia of the traumatic event vacate the body in the form of heat, pulsing or little muscle fasciculations. The tissue release can help the person relax, rest and heal.
“And sometimes the therapist needs to encourage the patient to go deep within and recognize why there remains such an ache in the heart or deep internal pain in the pelvis. The body leads the way with still points that draw attention to a body part or position in which the memory of trauma resides. If we take our time and allow the memory to come to conscious awareness, the patient is able to release it.”
Don Ash, “Lessons From the Sessions,”
Summer 2003 issue of “Upledger Update.”
Stretch of the month
Horizontal Abduction, from “Active Isolated Stretching” by Aaron L. Mattes:
Method: Face palms forward with arms straight ahead at shoulder height. Reach backward, keeping arms straight, and draw shoulder blades (scapulae) as close together as possible. Return to starting position with palms together.
Raise arms to height of eyes. Reach backward, keeping arms straight, and draw shoulder blades (scapulae) as close together as possible. Return to starting position with palms together.
Raise arms above head. Reach backward, keeping arms straight, and draw shoulder blades (scapulae) as close together as possible. Return to starting position with palms together.
Repeat series of three stretches 10 times. Breathe out when doing the stretch; breathe in when coming out of the stretch.
Muscles stretched: anterior chest and shoulder muscles, including the pectoralis major, teres major and anterior deltoid by contracting the trapezius, rhomboid major and rhomboid minor muscles.
Good for: relieving computer-work tightness and stress and for “waking up” the shoulder carriage.
New Age irony
From “The Open Door,” the July-September 2003 newsletter of the A.R.E. Community of New York City:
“Unfortunately, we have no way of reaching psychic Sean Barden. We’ll let you know when and if we are able to contact or locate him.”
Until next time … be well.
Dennis Sprick
The Heartful Touch
Massage and CranioSacral Therapy