Re: CranioSacral Therapy

[Guest guest]

Elaine,

This sounds very interesting. I will have to look into it. Thanks for the

info. Keep us updated on how it is helping

Jack.

JMurraybel@... wrote:

> From: JMurraybel@...

>

> ,

> CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle non-invasive manipulative technique.Seldom

> does the therapist apply pressure in excess of 5 grams. Examination is done

> by testing for movement in various parts of the system. Often when testing is

> completed, the restriction has been removed and the system is able to self

> correct. In newborns,infants and children,colic,hyperactivity,feeding and

> sleeping problems, and faulty development are often helped by CranioSacral

> Therapy. Routine evaluation of newborns often reveals and permits the easy

> release of subtle strains and restrictions that may, if left lead to chronic

> dysfunction later in life. This applies not only where birth has been

> difficult but also with " normal " deliveries

> The craniosacral system influences many body functions. An imbalance in this

> system can adversely affect the brain and spinal cord which can result in

> sensory, motor and intellectual dysfunction. The name craniosacral is derived

> from the system's associated bones. Included in these are those of the

> skull,face and mouth-which make up the cranium-and of the spinal column which

> extend down to the sacrum. Membranes enclosing a hydraulic system connect the

> craniosacral system.

> Jack saw his therapist last week for an evaluation. It was very interesting.

> She feels that she can help Jack especially with hypotonia ,speech and

> feeding. She said that Jack has a left to right something or other(sorry

> can't remember the name) split in his skull and that this is causing a lot of

> his problems. She also said that he is very crowded around his eyes and

> cheeks and that this is causing problems with nystigmus and feeding/chewing.

> She also said that because the main arteries to the brain run up the side of

> his eyes this is also possibly causing problems with his circulation. I must

> admit I was abit sceptical at first but after meeting her and listening to

> what she said I really feel that it all makes sense.

>

> Elaine mum to Elise(7yrs) & Jack(26mths) CHaRGE

> Dumfries,Scotland

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

JMurraybel@... wrote:

>

> From: JMurraybel@...

>

> ,

> CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle non-invasive manipulative technique.Seldom

> does the therapist apply pressure in excess of 5 grams. Examination is done

> by testing for movement in various parts of the system. Often when testing is

> completed, the restriction has been removed and the system is able to self

> correct. In newborns,infants and children,colic,hyperactivity,feeding and

> sleeping problems, and faulty development are often helped by CranioSacral

> Therapy. Routine evaluation of newborns often reveals and permits the easy

> release of subtle strains and restrictions that may, if left lead to chronic

> dysfunction later in life. This applies not only where birth has been

> difficult but also with " normal " deliveries

> The craniosacral system influences many body functions. An imbalance in this

> system can adversely affect the brain and spinal cord which can result in

> sensory, motor and intellectual dysfunction. The name craniosacral is derived

> from the system's associated bones. Included in these are those of the

> skull,face and mouth-which make up the cranium-and of the spinal column which

> extend down to the sacrum. Membranes enclosing a hydraulic system connect the

> craniosacral system.

> Jack saw his therapist last week for an evaluation. It was very interesting.

> She feels that she can help Jack especially with hypotonia ,speech and

> feeding. She said that Jack has a left to right something or other(sorry

> can't remember the name) split in his skull and that this is causing a lot of

> his problems. She also said that he is very crowded around his eyes and

> cheeks and that this is causing problems with nystigmus and feeding/chewing.

> She also said that because the main arteries to the brain run up the side of

> his eyes this is also possibly causing problems with his circulation. I must

> admit I was abit sceptical at first but after meeting her and listening to

> what she said I really feel that it all makes sense.

>

> Elaine mum to Elise(7yrs) & Jack(26mths) CHaRGE

> Dumfries,Scotland

Elaine, WOW, I'm impressed with your knowledge of CST. I'm glad I didn't

try to answer that question too, I would have looked like an idiot!! You

give me more reason to start looking into this, I think we may have a

hard time finding a therapist though.

Jeanie Colp

mom to MacKenzie 15mos. CHARGE, Tyler 7, & Zachary 5

[Guest guest]

Re: CranioSacral Therapy

> From: toby.c@... (Toby Colp)

> > >

> ......> give me more reason to start looking into this, I think we may

have a

> hard time finding a therapist though.

>

> Jeanie Colp

> mom to MacKenzie 15mos. CHARGE, Tyler 7, & Zachary 5

Jeanie:

You could give it a try when in the Toronto area in October? I know of an

applied kinesiologist in Hamilton. It won't be as expensive as the Handle

workshop in Detroit. There must be an applied kinesiologist in Toronto as

well...?

Ann

[Guest guest]

Okay guys, I have a question about this CranioSacral Therapy stuff ( I am

generally a skeptical person, so keep that in mind)...if this REALLY helps

kids, etc, why doesn't my doctor send Kennedy for it, or any of the other

professionals that work with her? It's a little confusing to me because it

would seem that if it truly helped with feeding, hypotonia, etc, etc, it

would be common practice, wouldn't it???

Sign me,

Confused...

Mom to Kennedy 19 mos old CHARGEr, 10, 8, and wife to Graeme

New Brunswick, Canada

Visit the " Weir homepage " at:

http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palms/5716

ICQ #1426476

>From: toby.c@... (Toby Colp)

>

>JMurraybel@... wrote:

>>

>> From: JMurraybel@...

>>

>> ,

>> CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle non-invasive manipulative

technique.Seldom

>> does the therapist apply pressure in excess of 5 grams. Examination is

done

>> by testing for movement in various parts of the system. Often when

testing is

>> completed, the restriction has been removed and the system is able to

self

>> correct. In newborns,infants and children,colic,hyperactivity,feeding and

>> sleeping problems, and faulty development are often helped by

CranioSacral

>> Therapy. Routine evaluation of newborns often reveals and permits the

easy

>> release of subtle strains and restrictions that may, if left lead to

chronic

>> dysfunction later in life. This applies not only where birth has been

>> difficult but also with " normal " deliveries

>> The craniosacral system influences many body functions. An imbalance in

this

>> system can adversely affect the brain and spinal cord which can result in

>> sensory, motor and intellectual dysfunction. The name craniosacral is

derived

>> from the system's associated bones. Included in these are those of the

>> skull,face and mouth-which make up the cranium-and of the spinal column

which

>> extend down to the sacrum. Membranes enclosing a hydraulic system connect

the

>> craniosacral system.

>> Jack saw his therapist last week for an evaluation. It was very

interesting.

>> She feels that she can help Jack especially with hypotonia ,speech and

>> feeding. She said that Jack has a left to right something or other(sorry

>> can't remember the name) split in his skull and that this is causing a

lot of

>> his problems. She also said that he is very crowded around his eyes and

>> cheeks and that this is causing problems with nystigmus and

feeding/chewing.

>> She also said that because the main arteries to the brain run up the side

of

>> his eyes this is also possibly causing problems with his circulation. I

must

>> admit I was abit sceptical at first but after meeting her and listening

to

>> what she said I really feel that it all makes sense.

>>

>> Elaine mum to Elise(7yrs) & Jack(26mths) CHaRGE

>> Dumfries,Scotland

>

>Elaine, WOW, I'm impressed with your knowledge of CST. I'm glad I didn't

>try to answer that question too, I would have looked like an idiot!! You

>give me more reason to start looking into this, I think we may have a

>hard time finding a therapist though.

>

>Jeanie Colp

>mom to MacKenzie 15mos. CHARGE, Tyler 7, & Zachary 5

>

>---------------------------

[Guest guest]

, a lot of doctors just aren't aware of alternative therapies, including

acupuncture, herbal remedies, craniosacral, sensory integration, etc. they

are mainly trained in diagnosing and treating, primarily with meds.

[Guest guest]

I didn't necessarily just mean doctors, even the PT's, OT's, feeding teams,

SLP's and the numerous other people that work with her. I know what you

mean about the docs not being too " in to " alternative therapies..

Mom to Kennedy 19 mos old CHARGEr, 10, 8, and wife to Graeme

New Brunswick, Canada

Visit the " Weir homepage " at:

http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palms/5716

ICQ #1426476

>From: MoMouse495@...

>

>, a lot of doctors just aren't aware of alternative therapies,

including

>acupuncture, herbal remedies, craniosacral, sensory integration, etc. they

>are mainly trained in diagnosing and treating, primarily with meds.

>

>---------------------------

[Guest guest]

,

I'm also quite a sceptical person but I was willing to give this a go as if I

remember correctly it was discussed on the list a while back and some of the

others had some success with it. As far as professionals go, it was Jack's

speech therapist who gave me the Craniosacral Therapists name and said she

was really interested in it all. Jack's PT has also said that it should

benefit him. As for Dr's --- I'm sure Jack's paed will be interested to hear

about it but she certainly would never have recommended it. In fact she

possibly doesn't even know what it is. Also I think that medical

professionals are perhaps wary of homeopathic remedies and may even feel

threatened by them.

Just my opinion. I've got to give my boy the chance and then if it doesn't do

any good at least I feel that I have tried It can't do any harm can it or

does anyone know different?

It is also not that expensive here---£19 a session. Is that about equivalent

to $28 ?

Elaine mum to Elise(7yrs) & Jack(26mths)CHaRGE

Dumfries,Scotland

[Guest guest]

Elaine,

What exactly do they do in a session of CST? This has gotten me curious...

By the way, 19 Pounds is $45.00 Canadian!

>From: JMurraybel@...

>

>,

>I'm also quite a sceptical person but I was willing to give this a go as if

I

>remember correctly it was discussed on the list a while back and some of

the

>others had some success with it. As far as professionals go, it was Jack's

>speech therapist who gave me the Craniosacral Therapists name and said she

>was really interested in it all. Jack's PT has also said that it should

>benefit him. As for Dr's --- I'm sure Jack's paed will be interested to

hear

>about it but she certainly would never have recommended it. In fact she

>possibly doesn't even know what it is. Also I think that medical

>professionals are perhaps wary of homeopathic remedies and may even feel

>threatened by them.

>Just my opinion. I've got to give my boy the chance and then if it doesn't

do

>any good at least I feel that I have tried It can't do any harm can it

or

>does anyone know different?

>It is also not that expensive here---£19 a session. Is that about

equivalent

>to $28 ?

>

>Elaine mum to Elise(7yrs) & Jack(26mths)CHaRGE

>Dumfries,Scotland

>

>---------------------------

[Guest guest]

,

Jack has only had a consultation and not a proper session as such. First of

all Ingrid(the osteopath) took a very detailed history of all Jack's problems

and also about my pregnancy and his birth. She had done some research into

CHARGE which I found impressive and she knew about the cranial nerve

involvement. She then examined Jack's head,face, spine and sacral system. She

used only very gentle pressure and Jack was quite happy to lie and let her

get on with it. One thing I really noticed was that there seemed to be a

great serenity and calmness about Ingrid and she put us at ease very quickly.

When he has his next session on the 4th October she will work on his head and

face for around 20-30mins. I also noticed that when she was manipulating

Jack's skull it seemed as if the calmness surrounding Ingrid was transferred

to Jack. Does that sound daft? I don't know.

Hope this helps.

Elaine mum to Elise(7yrs) & Jack(26mths) CHaRGE

Dumfries,Scotland

[Guest guest]

Elaine,

When you say she used gentle pressure, do you mean like rubbing him? I'm

still kind of vague here...

Mom to Kennedy 19 mos old CHARGEr, 10, 8, and wife to Graeme

New Brunswick, Canada

Visit the " Weir homepage " at:

http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palms/5716

ICQ #1426476

>From: JMurraybel@...

>

>,

>Jack has only had a consultation and not a proper session as such. First of

>all Ingrid(the osteopath) took a very detailed history of all Jack's

problems

>and also about my pregnancy and his birth. She had done some research into

>CHARGE which I found impressive and she knew about the cranial nerve

>involvement. She then examined Jack's head,face, spine and sacral system.

She

>used only very gentle pressure and Jack was quite happy to lie and let her

>get on with it. One thing I really noticed was that there seemed to be a

>great serenity and calmness about Ingrid and she put us at ease very

quickly.

>When he has his next session on the 4th October she will work on his head

and

>face for around 20-30mins. I also noticed that when she was manipulating

>Jack's skull it seemed as if the calmness surrounding Ingrid was

transferred

>to Jack. Does that sound daft? I don't know.

>Hope this helps.

>

>Elaine mum to Elise(7yrs) & Jack(26mths) CHaRGE

>Dumfries,Scotland

>

>---------------------------

[Guest guest]

Elaine, I am excited, I have made an appt for for craniosacral therapy.

she will do about 2 hrs first visit because of history etc. hope it doesn't

end up costing too much with repeated sessions etc. have any of you had any

financial help from insurance or anything? as an alternative therapy, i

doubt I will be able to get any. but looking forward to checking it out, as

well as Handle clinic Oct 2-3. The more options the better! Barbra Mousouris

(Elaine, I am the Scot also, my mum was just in Dumfries and sister!)

[Guest guest]

,

She didn't rub his skull or face. She looked as if she was gently pressing

around his head with both hands and gently manipulating the skull bones. It's

hard to explain exactly what she did but it amazed me how much she could tell

me about Jack just from feeling his head and face.

Elaine

[Guest guest]

Barbra,

I can't wait to hear how gets on with the therapy. I am a member of HSA

which pays out healthcare benefits for dental, optical, hospital stays etc.

One of the things it covers is Homeopathic and osteopathic remedies so I can

claim 1/2 the cost of any treatment back from them. If I wasn't a member I

would have to pay for it all my self as it would not be covered by the NHS

(National Health Service in UK).

I wish I had known that your mum and sister were visiting Dumfries. They

would have been very welcome to call in for a visit and meet Jack. I hope

they enjoyed their visit.

Elaine mum to Elise(7yrs) & Jack(26mths) CHaRGE

Dumfries,Scotland

[Guest guest]

Elaine,

Will you tell us more of what she does when he has more sessions? I'm

really interested about learning more about it.

Thanks..

Mom to Kennedy 19 mos old CHARGEr, 10, 8, and wife to Graeme

New Brunswick, Canada

Visit the " Weir homepage " at:

http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palms/5716

ICQ #1426476

>From: JMurraybel@...

>

>,

>She didn't rub his skull or face. She looked as if she was gently pressing

>around his head with both hands and gently manipulating the skull bones.

It's

>hard to explain exactly what she did but it amazed me how much she could

tell

>me about Jack just from feeling his head and face.

>

>Elaine

>

>---------------------------

[Guest guest]

Elaine-

Your experience sounds much like Aubrie's one and only CST session. The woman

exuded peace and tranquility. She hardly

placed her hands on Aubrie. I couldn't see that she was doing anything, but

Aubrie's body would sometimes move in

response to her. Very strange and hard to believe until you've experienced it.

I can't describe what the session was

like, but I definitely felt like something happened. The therapist had a lot to

tell me about Aubrie too. At the time,

Aubrie was still pretty sick and not doing much. She told me that she was going

to do well, that things were flowing

well, etc. There were a few things to work on, but she was very positive

overall. Turned out that Aubrie is doing

quite well. You are doing a great job of explaining an experience that I found

beyond words. I hope Jack continues to

benefit from the therapy.

Michele W

mom to Aubrie (21 mos) CHaRgE and (7 yrs), wife to DJ, in IL

westml@...

JMurraybel@... wrote:

> From: JMurraybel@...

>

> ,

> She didn't rub his skull or face. She looked as if she was gently pressing

> around his head with both hands and gently manipulating the skull bones. It's

> hard to explain exactly what she did but it amazed me how much she could tell

> me about Jack just from feeling his head and face.

>

> Elaine

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

Michele,

Thanks for your kind words. I do find it really hard to explain what CST is

so I'm glad you could understand me!

Elaine mum to Elise(7yrs) & Jack(26mths) CHaRGE and running a temp!!

Dumfries,Scotland

[Guest guest]

,

I'll certainly keep you all informed about Jack's progress with CST. First

proper session is on 5th October.

Elaine mum to Elise(7yrs) & Jack(26mths) CHaRGE

Dumfries,Scotland

[Guest guest]

Elaine,

That would be great, I'll be interested to hear more. I really do hope it

works for Jack.

Mom to Kennedy 19 mos old CHARGEr, 10, 8, and wife to Graeme

New Brunswick, Canada

Visit the " Weir homepage " at:

http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palms/5716

ICQ #1426476

>From: JMurraybel@...

>

>,

>I'll certainly keep you all informed about Jack's progress with CST. First

>proper session is on 5th October.

>

>Elaine mum to Elise(7yrs) & Jack(26mths) CHaRGE

>Dumfries,Scotland

>

>---------------------------

[Guest guest]

MoMouse495@... wrote:

>

> From: MoMouse495@...

>

> Hey guys, just got back from 's first craniosacral therapy. It was

> PHENOMENAL!! I couldn't believe he lay there motionless (he twitched a

> little, but mentally totally calm) for over an hour! When he emerged, he

> kept saying all the way home, " I feel different! I've never felt like this

> before...everything is different. I have no more negative feelings. They

> should do this to criminals! " ;-) He kept saying he was seeing clearer,

> he was walking slower, he has been much better all evening behaviorally! She

> said he had 1 leg shorter than the other, so she worked on the sacrum a lot

> too, and in his mouth, by his ears, etc and loosened up everything. he said

> his teeth even felt better! and he felt like there was no gravity, that he

> felt so much freer. It was awesome...I can't wait to go myself! Worth the

> (gasp) $90...which I don't think Blue Shield would cover??? I want my

> daughter to go too, it is amazing therapy for anyone. More later, Barbra M

Barbara,

WOW, This is amazing to hear from someone that can actually explain

what the experience was like. Thank for the insight.

Jeanie Colp

[Guest guest]

Hey guys, a bit more input from 's 2nd CST. I know this is REALLY WEIRD

(twilight zone music, please...) but here's what happened:

In the middle of 's therapy, he said, what is that funny smell? he and

the practitioner both smelled anesthesia, and he had that metallic taste in

his mouth. It was anesthesia being released from prior dental surgeries,

tonsils, etc! ISN'T THAT WEIRD??? She said it has happened before, and that

anesthesia can stay in us for many years, a whole lifetime even, and he will

be clearer when it is all released. I wouldn't have believed it if it

weren't my own kid coming up with it! More later, Barbra M

[Guest guest]

Marilyn,

Yup is was Lark.. hmmm.. wonder if I could find her posts... I

have all back digests (yeah.. almost three years worth) either on

my other puter.. the web .. or on floppy.. I'll go hunting

Casey

Mom to Dawn 20 HH, Ken 10 ADHD, 7 CHARGE

ICQ 728514 AIM ZeeCasey

CHARGE Web Page:

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/1220

[Guest guest]

Gee I'm good.... <G>

Here's some stuff I found that Lark wrote about CST, it's mainly

about hyperactivity and CST, I'll keep looking for more.

Casey

Dear Parents--

I am a 29 yr old female licensed massage therapist with bilateral

cleft

lip/palate, and while I am not very familiar with the specifics of

CHARGE,

I will share what I have learned in my own experience as a

professional

massage therapist and as a bodywork client who has a

craniofacial anomaly.

The following is just one of any number of possibilities--but

apparently it

is quite common with craniofacial anomalies, particularly if there

was

birth trauma involved as well. A disturbance of the " craniosacral

system "

can often cause physiologically based behavior problems. The

craniosacral

system is a sort of hydraulic pump of cerebrospinal fluid up and

down the

dural tube, which encloses the spinal cord. This hydraulic

system's chief

responsibility is making sure that the brain is bathed in nutrient-rich

cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). For a much clearer explanation of this

idea

than I can give here, you can type " craniosacral " into your search

engine,

and among others, the site for the Upledger Institue in Florida will

appear. (CranioSacral Therapy was invented by osteopathic

physician Dr.

Upledger over 15 years ago, and has become increasingly

accepted in

conventional medical circles--often practiced by physical

therapists,

massage therapists, and chiropractors as well as osteopaths and

MDs). This

subtle means of manipulating the dural tube to restore normal

functioning

worked wonders for me, and was essential to the resolution of

longstanding

physiologically-based depression/concentration problems which

had roots in

the surgical trauma of my cleft lip/palate repair. In lay-person's

terms, I

re-experienced surgical " bodymemories " and their emotional

component, which

Dr. Upledger says is a standard result of restoring dural tube

function. In

CranioSacral Therapy, the palate is a key " hotspot " for somato-

emotional

holding, thus the dramatic impact in my case. Key to

hyperactivity,

however, according to Upledger, is the jamming of the occipital

bone

forward on the neck.

Here is what Dr. Upledger's book, _CranioSacral Therapy

SomatoEmotional

Release: Your Inner Physician and You_ (North Atlantic Books,

Berkeley,

1991) has to say on the subject of hyperactivity/behavior disorders

and

children:

" Hyperactive children are very effectively treated by CranioSacral

Therapy

when the problem is not emotional in origin. In my experience,

about 50-60

percent of hyperactive child problems have a basis in the

CranioSacral

System " pp. 151

. . . " The hyperactive child would often fall asleep on the treatment

table

after we made the CranioSacral System correction. Usually this

problem was

found at the base of the skull in the back where the head joins the

neck.

There was usually a jamming forward of the head on the neck and

then an

extreme tightness of the neck muscles that maintained this

malposition . . .

If we did not find the jamming of the skull (occipital bone) forward

on the

neck, we observed that the hyperactivity was probably due to

some other

cause . . . .Our success rate was nearly one hundred percent

when the

hyperactive child presented the jammed condition of the head

forward on the

neck. About 50 percent of the hyperactive children we saw in our

clinic

had this condition. The other 50 percent were hyperactive for other

reasons. " pp. 25

There is also information on success in treating dyslexia and other

learning disorders which is too lengthy to quote here, but in other

sources, I have read that if the above " jamming of the occipital

bone "

occurs, the child (or adult) is 100% guaranteed to experience

some type of

psychological/behavioral difficulty. Anger/concentration difficulties

are

the norm.

I wish I were more adept at explaining Upledger's

theory/treatments in a

limited space, but his webpage or books should be helpful. I found

this

method to be a lifesaver for myself, and the physical therapist who

spoke

to our local parents' support group recently said that he believed

this

method should be *required* in the *standard* rehabilitation

process for

craniofacial anomalies. I couldn't agree more--please let me know

if I can

answer any questions or direct you to other sources.

Lark Jarvis, Licensed Massage Therapist

Portland, Oregon, USA

[Guest guest]

Casey,

If you save old digests on floppys, how do you keep an index of what is on the

disk? Do you higlight the index and

then highlight the letters themselves and save it all.

I'm so impressed you found all Lark's letters!!! They are so good.

wendy

Casey wrote:

>

>

> Marilyn,

>

> Yup is was Lark.. hmmm.. wonder if I could find her posts... I

> have all back digests (yeah.. almost three years worth) either on

> my other puter.. the web .. or on floppy.. I'll go hunting

>

> Casey

> Mom to Dawn 20 HH, Ken 10 ADHD, 7 CHARGE

>

> ICQ 728514 AIM ZeeCasey

> CHARGE Web Page:

> http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/1220

>

> > For information about the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation or to become a member

please contact marion@....

[Guest guest]

OK.. found the one where she talks about actually smelling

anesthesia during therapy:

Casey

I was

an *extreme* skeptic about this approach several years ago, but

debilitating menstrual problems got so bad that I started looking for

other

options. It seems that humans (actually, everything from one-celled

organisms on up) contract around pain, and that when surgeons cut through

the viscera around organs (not to mention muscles, etc), a contractile

pattern is set up that has some sort of electrical basis (see below--if

all

of this sounds pretty out there, remember it's fairly well-accepted that

connective tissue in the human body actually does serve as a

semi-conductor). Long story short, I began treatment with SHEN

Physio-Emotional Release work, and after a few months of treatment, my

periods became almost painless (I had wanted a laparoscopy, etc, because

I

was at the end of my rope, but the massage therapist I was seeing

virtually

guaranteed me that my problem was a left over auto-contractile pain

response--mainly referred from an old hip bone graft site that was very

painful when it orginally happened. The site had not hurt in years, but

pain was reactivated and released when I began SHEN treatment. Pain does

get stored in tissues in some deep biochemical way.) I have had releases

with this type of bodywork that have actually released the smell of

anesthesia into the room (which the practitioner told me is not at all

uncommon) Releases always had an emotional component as well, which is

expected. In 's case, with his surgical history, this might

definitely

be an angle to consider. (The giggling part really seemed somehow

therapeutically significant to me, too . . .) Hope this is useful--it's

the

best modality that I know of for releasing surgically-caused contraction.

Let me know if I can answer specifics, help you find a practitioner, etc.

Lark Jarvis, LMT--Portland, Oregon

Here is what _Discovering the Body's Wisdom_ (a recently published guide

to

all of the major bodywork modalities--I think it's the most comprehensive

resource I've seen to date) says about SHEN Physio-Emotional Release

Work:

(sorry this is so long, but the SHEN Assoc. doesn't have a website to

refer

you to.)

" SHEN is an acronym for " Specific Human Energy Nexus. " According to its

founder, Pavek, the energy field that permeates and surrounds the

physical body is involved in producing the sensations that we call

'emotions.' In turn they trigger so-called psychosomatic conditions,

such

as eating disorders, premenstrual and menstrual distress, sexual

dysfunctions, irritable bowel syndrome, and migraine and cluster

headaches.

According to Pavek, the body contracts around pain, whether it is

physical

or emotional, coming from the inside or the outside. He identifies the

Auto-Contractile Pain Response (ACPR) as the physiological mechanism

through which the body traps painful emotions and disrupts normal

physical

functioning. The main purpose of SHEN is to clear trapped emotions from

your body.

To do this, SHEN practitioners hold their hands at various places on your

body without applying pressure. They wait at each spot a few seconds or

minutes, until they sense a release as energy passes from one of their

hands to the other. " Doing a flow " through the body relaxes it,

dissolving

tensions, unlocking contractions, and encourages you to let go of

debilitating emotions, traumas, or memories. Provided there is no

ongoing

biological cause, Pavek says you may experience relief of pain and faster

recovery from illness.

Although there are no specific meridians or acu-points, as in the Chinese

and Japanese systems, practitioners follow a pattern of hand placements

in

a series of flows--peripheral, spinal, shoulder-head, roots, arm-hand.

In

SHEN theory, the natural flow in your body is up the right side and down

the left. Therapists also work with four emotion centers, which are

located at or near the sites of four of the seven chakras. For example,

they call the second chakra " the Kath " ; it is located from the top of the

pubic bone almost to the navel and relates to issues or self-esteem,

self-worth, and sexuality.

SHEN protocols have been developed for chronic-pain units and psychiatric

treatment programs as well as for drug and alcohol treatment programs.

According to Pavek, SHEN can be used in such stress-linked and

emotion-related disorders as depression, anxiety, shock, and phobias . .

.It has a small, indirect effect on viral or bacterial diseases. But,

says

Pavek, SHEN can reduce local swelling by releasing tensions in the

surrounding tissues so that drainage occurs, and it also can cause the

passage of gall-stones . . .

Various professionals, including nurses, psychotherapists, counselors,

physical and occupational therapists, massage and other body therapists,

and physicians, also incorporate SHEN into their practice . .

Resources--International SHEN Therapy Assoc. (ISTA) 3213 W.

Wheeler St.,

#202, Seattle, WA 98199, (206)283-1256

- --_Discovering the Body's Wisdom_ pp.367-68.

[Guest guest]

Barb M. wrote:

>Hey guys, a bit more input from 's 2nd CST. I know this is REALLY

WEIRD

>(twilight zone music, please...) but here's what happened:

>

>In the middle of 's therapy, he said, what is that funny smell? he and

>the practitioner both smelled anesthesia, and he had that metallic taste in

>his mouth. It was anesthesia being released from prior dental surgeries,

>tonsils, etc! ISN'T THAT WEIRD??? She said it has happened before, and

that

>anesthesia can stay in us for many years, a whole lifetime even, and he

will

>be clearer when it is all released. I wouldn't have believed it if it

>weren't my own kid coming up with it.

Not really so weird...anyone remember Lark talking on the list about that -

what, Casey, maybe two years ago? I remember her talking about some kind of

" releasing therapy " - can't remember if she was talking about CST - but it

also involved the release of anesthesia stored in tissues for long periods

of time. I'm going to check out the web and find someone local to check out

!

Friends in CHARGE,

Marilyn Ogan

Mom to Ken (10 yrs) and (7 yrs, CHARGE)

Wife To Rick

oganm@...