Chiropractic is a system of health care that is concerned with the preservation and restoration of health by removing interference (subluxation) from the spine and nervous system. A subluxation is a disturbance of proper neural function that compromises organ function and general health. Chiropractors direct controlled and specific forces (adjustments) into the spine to remove subluxations thereby allowing the body to heal.
Network Spinal Analysis (NSA) is a synthesis of chiropractic techniques, methodologies and philosophies along with energy medicine. Network adjustments are precise and gentle, spontaneously generating two wave forms which dissipate tension and integrate coordinated spinal motion.
For NSA Treatments in the Reno area contact Layne Linebaugh D.C. 775 657-9026 1005 Terminal Way Suite 264, Reno NV 89502 or go to www.mywellnessdoctorlayne
For Craniosacral Therapy in the Reno area contact Marigael Morris, LMT, 327 Thoma St. Reno, NV 775-972-6722. To locate a practitioner in your area go to www.upledger.com
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Developed for children, but also highly successful with adults, this method of treating trauma doesn't require the patient to divulge information about the trauma. While the patient recalls the incident, the eyes are guided in a smooth pattern. The International EMDR Association, www.emdria.org, establishes standards for EMDR while the EMDR Institute www.emdr.com provides a directory of traind EMDR clinicans and complies information on workshops, seminars and research.
Massage
Massage is defined as the systemic manual or mechanical manipulations of the soft tissue of the body by such movements as rubbing, kneading, pressing, rolling, slapping, and tapping, for therapeutic purposes such as promoting circulation of the blood and lymph, relaxation of muscles, relief from pain, restoration of metabolic balance, and other benefits both physical and mental.
Lymph Drainage Therapy
LDT, is a hands-on method of lymphatic drainage developed by Bruno Chikly, MD, of France. LDT enables practitioners to detect the specific rhythm, direction, depth and quality of the lymph flow anywhere in the body. They assess overall circulation and determine the best alternate pathways for draining body-fluid stagnations. Therapists work with flat hands, using all the fingers to simulate gentle, specific wave-like movements. These subtle manual maneuvers activate lymph and interstitial fluid circulation as well as stimulate the functioning of the immune and parasympathetic nervous systems.
For Lymph Drainage Therapy in the Reno area contact Rosalie Henry LMT 775 846-0227.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture uses the technique of inserting very fine pins at specific points or meridians. The Western view of why this works is that the pins release endorphins, the body’s natural pain relievers. The Eastern view is that acupuncture resolves imbalances in the body’s energy system.
Acupressure
Same as acupuncture, except uses pressure from the practitioners fingers instead of pins.
Reflexology
A technique, which by using pressure on specific areas of the hands and feet, is claimed to reduce stress and reclaim health in the entire body.
Watsu® (Also considered an energy therapy)
Watsu is a water treatment where you are encouraged to relax and to let go of all thoughts. "Relax, loosen your muscles until the flesh seems to be falling from the bone", is what I was told as I began this treatment. The person is moved around in the warm water, slowly at first. The practitioner directs energy, a white healing light, at the person undergoing treatment. At times the person may be submerged under the water, or moved quickly on the surface, all the time being held. At times, during this process, I cried, I laughed, and I howled like a wolf. I have no idea where these emotions came from, but at the end of the treatment, I felt more relaxed than I ever felt in my life, and months later, I still felt at ease. On a follow up visit I focused my mind during treatment on the incidents which resulted in my diagnosis of PTSD. I screamed and cursed at the situations and individuals involved. Immediately following this I was able to speak of these incidents without the strong emotions and huge lump in the throat I usually had.
In the Eastern Sierra's Watsu is given at Sierra Hot Springs in Sierraville CA 530-994-3773 www.sierrahotsprings.org
Yoga
Yoga is a mixture of exercise and meditation. Strength, balance, and flexibility are its goals. Learning how to focus the mind is part of the practice.
Touch Therapy
The touch therapies listed here involve the soft touch of one individual to another. The memory of trauma is stored in the body. Soft touch done in a safe environment by a caring sensitive individual can help release these traumas.
Candice Pert, in Molecules of Emotion, goes into how neurotransmitter/ receptors help transmit information about the emotions we experience. This woman, who was part of the team which proved the existence of neurotransmitters / receptors in the brain, in The Body is our Sub-Conscious Mind, postulates that due to discovery of these same neurotransmitters/ receptors in the body, although less densely packed, that the body is an extension of our minds.
This first touch therapy doesn’t require extensive training, and is typically performed by couples on each other. The amount of intimate touch, if any, should be the sole prerogative of the individual being touched. Usually the couple will take turns, first one partner touching the other and then the person giving the touch being the receptor. Music for meditation, or natural sounds of the ocean or forest is recommended.
Turn off all phones and have no other plans for the day. Sit facing each other, legs intertwined. Have water within reach. A back jack is suggested. Agree on confidentiality, that nothing that is told during these sessions will be repeated to anyone else. Ask permission to touch at each stage; May I touch your hair, your face, your lips, your arms, etc. Go slow. Don’t take a ‘no’ answer personally. Respect that person’s wishes.
Start at the top of the head. May I touch your hair? When permission is given, gently stroke the other person’s hair. “Tell me about your hair. What do you like about your hair? Allow the person to tell you while continuing to stroke. What do you dislike about your hair? Again, allow the person time to speak. Memories, be it of someone pulling her hair, or having it catch fire, or some nasty remark someone once made about the hair may come up. Speak about it. Tell the story. Relate the memory or the feelings involved. The person doing the touching is just holding the space safe for the person to speak, without any judgments.
Tears, at time will come. Allow them to flow; don’t try to hold them back. Encourage the person to tell more while continuing to gently stroke.
When the person has finished with stories about his/ her hair, ask if you can touch their face. As you stoke their face, ask them about their face; What they like about their face, what they dislike about it. The touch can trigger memories. Speak about them, don’t hold them back.
You may want to take a small break from the touch and story telling when you reach the shoulders. Try to stay together, except for any bathroom breaks. This may be a good time for the listener, to become the one being stroked, while the one telling stories becomes the listener. Again, start at the top of the head.
Slowly work down the body, respecting any ‘no’ answer. It’s best to proceed with the arms before going onto the torso. Remember to ask permission to touch. Any emotion or story that comes up should be spoken about. At times they may be embarrassing to the person experiencing the emotion. Remember to be non-judgmental. Stories of abuse, rape, hospitalizations, accidents, infidelities, prostitution, as well as harsh remarks or callous treatment by a person in their life may be among the stories related. The touch and the telling of the stories allows healing to occur. We all have our stories, they all need to be told.
