Therapy

Every client has a unique history leading to the person that walks through my door, each with their own life story and set of experiences that has both shaped them into the person they are today and produced a complex layering of tension patterns and compensations in the body.

I carefully listen to each person’s story, valuing their knowledge and understanding of their own history, symptoms, goals and dreams in the future. My assessment process aims to “listen,” or perhaps more accurately, “feel” what the body has to say and allow me to find and release the identified tension patterns with manual therapy.

I am constantly striving to learn more and expand my “toolkit” so I can become a better therapist. I currently integrate three different approaches together – all of which are holistic and complete in their own rights, each with a different way to assess and treat the whole person. These approaches allow me to treat clients of all ages (from babies to adults) and help with a large variety problems.

Muskuloskeletal Physiotherapy

Including Front to Back Approach, Myofascial Trigger Point, postural/gait assessment and correction, stretching and strengthening exercises.

CranioSacral Therapy (CST)

Assists with Nervous System function, managing Fight & Flight or Freeze stress responses and with SomatoEmotional release.

Visceral Manipulation (VM)

Assists with symptoms arising from organs such as the the heart, lungs, liver, stomach, colon, intestines, bowel, bladder and uterus/prostate.

Muskulosceletal Physiotherapy

What is the Front to Back Approach?

The Front to Back Approach, Pioneered by Dr. Aileen Jefferis, holistically applies Myofascial Trigger Point Release and other techniques to the whole person, rather than just the area of local symptoms. Stretching and strengthening exercise are also given to further improve and correct posture and movement patterns.

What does it feel like?

Direct pressure is applied to the “trigger point”, or “knot” in muscles/tissues using the hands (usually fingers or thumbs). Myofascial Trigger Point Release can be painful but as only the minimum required pressured is used in the Front to Back Approach, this pain is usually mild and within tolerable limits. After around 30 seconds, the Trigger Point softens and it feels like the muscle lets go.

Why have it?

Many common symptoms are produced by Myofascial trigger points. These includes muscular (dull) aches and tightness in the muscles themselves and pain referred into joints (that often mimic joint pain or aggravate existing joint issues such arthritis). Additionally, nerve pain (sharp, shooting pain) and numbness and tingling can also result from tight muscles compressing adjacent nerves. The Front to Back Approach helps acute and chronic musculoskeletal issues such as back, neck and joint pain including scoliosis.

How does it work?

The Front to Back Approach involves assessing the whole body and releasing ALL related myofascial trigger points to restore normal posture and movement. This includes key muscles such as Psoas (also referred as iliopsoas) commonly implicated in back, neck and lower limb presentations. The Psoas muscle spans from the spine to the hip and when tight, it both pulls the trunk forwards compressing the spine and discs and elevates and rotates the hip forwards on one side, making one leg seem longer and affecting our knees and ankles when walking. Additionally, with the pelvis no longer being level, a scoliosis (S-Shaped curvature) of the spine is produced. The Front to Back Approach carefully unravels the tension patterns (or “muscle trails”) in the body to restore alignment and decmpress pain sensitive structures like nerves, discs, bursas and joints and help relieve muscular aches.

CranioSacral Therapy

What is it?

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on approach aiming to improve Nervous System function by releasing fascial (tissue) tension around the brain and nerves and thereby restoring optimal blood flow.

What does it feel like?

Treatment involves the therapist placing the palm of each hand either side of the body (usually head, neck, chest or pelvis, but can be done anywhere). Compression is then applied between both hands to connect to the intended structures within an area of restriction, followed by a fascial (tissue) release in the appropriate direction. People often report that the contact feels supportive and comfortable and notice their bodies relax and soften throughout the release. Additionally, treatment may also involve working inside the mouth and/or include working with emotions using a technique called SomatoEmotional Release.

Why have it?

CST can help assist with a variety of symptoms including headaches/migraines, concussion and traumatic brain/spinal cord injury, stress (fight & flight), anxiety, fatigue, depressive mood, overwhelm/freeze, trauma/PTSD and autism.

How does it work?

CST works by directly targeting the brain and nerves in the spinal cord and Autonomic Nervous system (think stress response). To find out more about CST, the Autonomic Nervous system or SomatoEmotional release, head to the FAQ Section below

Visceral Manipulation

What is it?

Visceral Manipulation (VM) involves specific assessment of each organ’s mobility (freedom of movement). If limited, treatment is given using a specific technique designed to correct any restrictions and restore optimal function and balance in the body

What does it feel like?

Treatment is non-invasive and gentle, often feeling like light pressure or a stretch. It usually involves releasing tension in the surrounding fascia (connective tissue), which connect organs, nerves, muscles, bones, joints and blood vessels to each other.

Why have it?

VM can help relieve common symptoms relating to each organ; lungs (breathing), heart (circulation), liver, stomach and digestive organs (digestion and immune function), bowel and bladder (elimination) and uterus/prostate (Women’s/Men’s health issues).

Surprisingly, many people have visceral restrictions and don’t know it. Head to the FAQ section to find how VM relates to back pain, headaches and muscle/joint pain.

How does it work?

VM works by directly releasing the restrictions in the fascia surrounding the organs in a similar way to releasing Myofascial Trigger Points in muscles. These restrictions often contribute to the nervous system sending out signals to tighten the surrounding joints and muscles. To find out about how this works head to the FAQ Section below.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Why would I have Visceral Manipulation, when the pain is in my ___?

Our organs are supplied by a different nervous system than our muscles and joints (the Autonomic Nervous System). These nerves don’t typically produce pain (unlike the aches and pain we are used to feeling from our Somatic Nervous System), and send signals to our brain and spinal cord instead (often when a restriction is limiting blood flow and nutrients to the nerve/organ). This can result in a “protective response,” causing the surrounding muscles to tighten/stiffen (limiting movement) and producing the pain we feel (often from myofascial Trigger Points). In addition to treating the symptoms you ARE feeling, VM allows for treatment of the symptoms you AREN’T aware of, resulting in improved and longer lasting outcomes.

How does CST work and why does it help so many different things?

By directly influencing the Central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the extensive network of different nerves connecting out entire body, it is possible for CST to produce a broad range of effects. The brain and spinal cord is surrounded by a layer of fascia (like glad wrap). This layer can become restricted/tight in different places, limiting blood flow and resulting in a “protective response” similar to the one described above in relation to VM. In the body, this response often includes the tightening of muscles supplied by the affected nerve and can produce pain and stiffness in our back or joints. In the brain and brainstem, symptoms may include pain and stiffness in the head, jaw, and neck or any number of symptoms resulting from decreased blood flow to the brain including tinnitus, decreased memory/concentration, co-ordination, brain-fog, sensory processing and mood and emotional dysregulation. Other symptoms arise from stress and the impact of the autonomic nervous system (such as circulation, breathing and digestive issues) and will be discussed below.

What does the Autonomic Nervous System have to do with my stress/anxiety?

The Autonomic Nervous system is responsible for many automatic functions such as heart rate, blood pressure and circulation, digestion and arousal. It also governs our survival responses when we are threatened, by producing two distinct states; “fight and flight” and “freeze”. “Fight and flight” mode increases our blood circulation, adrenaline production and fuel uptake to our muscles and brain to enable us to appropriately act (physically fight or run) or think/plan/talk. Associated emotional state includes anger, frustration and anxiety. This mode is helps promote survival in in life threatening situations (think sports mode on a car), but comes at expense of digestion and immune function (tires need replacing sooner).

In situations of extreme danger, immobilisation or “freeze” of “shut down” can occur, with blood pressure all metabolic function decreased to conserve resources with associated emotional states of helplessness, dissociation/numbness or feeling trapped (think shock or PTSD). This response is beneficial in extreme, short-term life threatening situations to keep us safe, but many people experience a constant (milder) activation of these nerves almost over long periods of time producing a wide variety of symptoms including anxiety fatigue, brain fog, increased pain sensitivity/fibromyalgia, exercise intolerance and decreased metabolic function (decreased digestion, circulation, immune and sexual function).

This fantastic graph was put together by Ruby Jo Walker and the Polyvagal theory was developed by Dr. Steven Porges.

Whilst it is normal to experience activation of the Fight and Flight and Freeze pathways, a healthy nervous system has the flexibility to transition between states easily and is able to adapt appropriately to each situation.

A third pathway, often called Rest and Digest or Social Engagement promotes social activity and feelings of safety, calmness and being mindful and present. In this state we are curious and open and more natural and spontaneous. In practice it can be very difficult to shift states at will and many people are constantly in a state of Fight and Flight or Freeze (or alternating between the two). My goal is to assist clients to experience Social Engagement during our sessions by bringing these nerve pathways into balance with CranioSacral Therapy. For more information on, I would encourage reading “Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve” by Stanley Rosenberg. Available online and at the local library (ebook/audiobook via Libby App).

How does SomatoEmotional Release work ?

SomatoEmotional Release (SER) is and advanced application of CranioSacral Therapy (CST). Emotions, feelings, and sensations can be spontaneously experienced during any type of manual therapy, as they are often stored in various parts of the body. Additionally, memories, thoughts or images may also emerge. SER teaches the ability to find these areas relatively easily and the skills to safely work with them.

In keeping with the key paradigm of CST, whereby the client is the source of the “healing process” (rather than the therapist), SER is a process initiated by the client (often subconsciously) and emerges once there is trust and safety present. It is then facilitated by the therapist but the client (or their subconscious) controls the pace. In my experience, this process cannot be rushed (at most gently encouraged) and tends to happen in its own time.

To further understand how emotions are stored in the body I suggest reading “The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel Van Der Kolk or “Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma” by Peter A. Levine.