CranioSacral Therapy
Robert is an Upledger Certified Craniosacral Therapist (CST)

Craniosacral Therapy(CST) is based on the principle that the body functions with its own intelligence and an inherent ability to heal.  CST facilitates this natural ability by releasing soft-tissue restrictions that cause imbalance and interfere with optimal function and health. 

 The craniosacral system consists of the soft tissues (meninges) and fluid (cerebrospinal fluid) that surround and protect the central nervous system. Its rhythmic movement can be felt throughout the body.  With a trained, sensitive touch, we can assess and monitor this rhythm for disturbances to locate the source of dysfunction.  We then apply gentle manual techniques to release these restrictions, allowing the nervous system to rebalance and the body to self-correct.

Craniosacral Therapy is beneficial for a wide range of health challenges including but not limited to:

• Chronic pain

• Post-concussion syndrome

• Fibromyalgia

• Insomnia

• Migraine headache

• Complex regional pain syndrome

• Fascial adhesions

• Multiple sclerosis

• Neuralgia

• Neurodegenerative diseases

• Temporo-mandibular joint syndrome

• Stroke

• Speech impairment

• Epilepsy

SomatoEmotional Release (SER)

SomatoEmotional Release (SER) expands on the principles of CST to release the residual effects of past injuries and negative experiences that can lodge in the body and cause pain, dysfunction, and emotional or mental stress.  SER facilitates a gentle process for releasing tissue memory and healing the effects of past traumas.  

SER includes the same manual techniques used in Craniosacral therapy.  Additionally, a practitioner may engage the recipient in dialogue focused and guided by the response felt in the their tissues and nervous system.  This somatic approach can support mental/emotional well-being and physical function by helping a person make sense of past trauma and how it has affected physical and emotional health. 

Reference:
https://www.upledger.com/therapies/

Visceral Manipulation (VM) is a manual therapy focusing on the body’s internal organs (viscera).  Like Craniosacral Therapy, it is an osteopathic technique that honors the body's intelligence to locate and release restrictions in movement.  VM philosophy holds that each organ has an optimal position and range of motion within the body.  An organ's function is compromised when its natural movement or position is impaired.  Such restrictions can then give rise to compensation patterns in soft tissue that, in turn, impair the function of other organs, fascia, and musculoskeletal movement.  

The VM practitioner “listens” with a highly trained sense of touch and detailed knowledge of anatomy to locate impaired organ movement. Precise, delicate, and remarkably gentle manual techniques awaken the body’s awareness to restore mobility and facilitate a balanced relationship between the organ and its surrounding structures.

Myofascial Therapy,

Deep aching muscular pain that is persistent or worsening.  A tender point or tight “knot” in a muscle.  Difficulty sleeping due to pain or tension.  Decreased range of motion or ability to stretch.  Overall stress or fatigue—these are just a few signs of possible fascial adhesions. 

Fascia is the collagen based connective tissue that surrounds every structure of the body.  It forms a web-like system that not only surrounds the large structures of bones, muscles, and organs, but penetrates these fibers and tissues down to the cellular level.  Fascia supports and brings nutrients to all these structures and is the ground substance that connects and unifies the body from the skin to the deepest levels of organ and bone.  Stress, dehydration, injury, and nutritional imbalances can cause fascial layers to adhere to one another or the structures they surround.  These fascial adhesions can, in turn, restrict movement, circulation, and decrease the optimal functioning of the vital organs

The myofascial system is the structural and functional interaction of fascia with the muscular system (myo meaning muscle).  Myofascial therapy is a manual technique applied to release adhesions in the myofascial system.  Myofascial therapy is known to increase joint range of motion, relieve joint and muscular pain, relieve headaches, release neural impingements, facilitate circulation, and improve a number of chronic pain conditions related to postural imbalances and muscular tightness.  Myofascial work has also shown to be effective in softening and realigning scar tissue as well as improving the appearance of surgical scars. 

Myofascial therapy involves applied pressure that may be held in a position to relax, stretch or realign the tissue.  It can include both light touch techniques as well as deeper pressure.  You may be asked to move slightly against pressure to release a particular area or free the restricted movement of a joint.  A myofascial session is generally more therapeutic in approach than a typical relaxation massage.  While it is not unpleasant, the work can be intense at times, and a skilled therapist will always stay in careful communication with you regarding your pain-threshold.  There is usually more movement and changing of positions on the table than in a typical massage session, and while the mood of the session is more “clinical” than “spa,” the result can be a more deeply satisfying sense of rejuvenation and ease, as you find your body liberated from the restrictions of old patterns.

Pilates

 Pilates is a method of movement and exercise designed to improve strength, flexibility, and awareness named after its founder and creator Joseph H. Pilates.  Emphasizing proper breathing, smooth, rhythmic movement, and correct alignment, the Pilates method focuses on quality of movement over forced repetitions.  Whole-body movement that begins from core, Pilates demands a mental focus that increases body awareness, and leaves you feeling grounded, well-conditioned, and capable. 

 Pilates exercises can be performed on a floor mat with or without props, or on apparatus designed specifically for the method.  Over the decades of its existence, Pilates has been incorporated into many disciplines including dance, athletic training, physical therapy and rehab to name a few.  For more information on Pilates and its history click here (https://www.pilates.com/pilates/origins). 

 At Bodywork Balance, I use exercises and principles from the Pilates Method for corrective and rehabilitative work as well as for ongoing sessions for strength, general fitness, and resilience. 

Therapeutic Movement:

Addressing chronic pain, and stress patterns at their root cause: your daily life. 

 Whether for injury, stress, or persistent pain and tension patterns, Therapeutic movement and corrective exercise will take your progress to the next level empowering you with the knowledge and tools to relieve pain, counterbalance stress, balance posture, and condition your body for greater resilience and performance.  Even a few simple movements for as little as fifteen minutes a day can enhance your bodywork sessions for longer lasting and continuous improvement.  Ongoing regular sessions build your resources for addressing physical challenges on your own as they come up. 

 During our first session, we will assess your posture and movement patterns, and discuss any challenges or concerns you are hoping to correct. Then we work together to discover a series of corrective movements tailored to your particular challenge.  Exercises are largely based on the principles of the Pilates Method and may also include other forms of resistance training, flexibility training, and body awareness work.