Healing Therapies
healing therapies
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Learn about the many benefits of this ancient practice
Using heat and cold therapies to support the body at its core. Super powerful, super simple. Just the way we like it.
Nurturing your physical framework
for renewed health. Bowspring, cranial sacral therapy, nervous sytem centered chiropractic, and fascia release
Acupuncture
Acupuncture facilitates healing through the precise insertion of thin needles into the skin activating various acupuncture points along the body. There are 365 points within the body’s 12 meridian systems. By stimulating these points the flow of Qi throughout the body is enhanced and circulation is greatly improved.
Traditional Chinese Medicine holds the belief that blocked and stagnant Qi leads to the development of various diseases, illnesses, and physical + emotional ailments. While numerous factors contribute to the initial disruption of Qi, acupuncture serves to directly support this flow and rebalance it. The TCM resource goes into depth on the many principles and elements that impact Qi and the body as a whole. The main concept to understand is that the systems within work together as a whole. Each bodily organ, tissue, and response is intimately connected to the other. When one is out of balance it will impact the rest, and similarly, as balance in one system is restored it will directly fuel others. This is the basis of TCM and the use of acupuncture (and other pressure point stimulation) offers a way to open and clear the disruption of Qi (energy) flow and is immensely supportive to optimal health and well-being.
Benefits:
- Stress relief— The effects that acupuncture has on energy balance bleed into the health of the nervous system. The nervous system is the primal facilitator of our stress response. Acupuncture is proven to lower stress hormones, promote serenity and peace, activate the parasympathetic response, and empower the various mechanisms our body has to produce more serotonin and rest.
- Inflammation & Pain Management— Stimulating the various acupuncture points triggers the relaxation and relief of tension in our muscles and joints. This results in the alleviation of pain associated with these pain points including any injuries to these areas. The increased blood flow can also support restored flexibility and mobility across the body.
- Immune Function— The increased flow of Qi, blood, and lymph all of which are achieved through acupuncture, directly support the immune system. Regularly getting acupuncture treatments is an excellent way to assist your body’s defensive systems against illness. Not only that, but it allows for smoother and faster recovery times when infections hit.
- Mental health + Cognitive Function— Blood flow and circulation in the brain are essential to a regulated and balanced emotional response as well as necessary for effective cognitive functioning. Brain fog, focus, clarity of thinking, rational thoughts, balanced responses, memory, peace of mind, mood, and socialization are all deeply supported and nourished through acupuncture. It is an incredible modality to use when seeking support in any of these areas.
- Digestive System— The long list of symptoms that stem from our digestive system (IBS, constipation, heartburn, reflux, bloating, etc) are all supported and balanced through the use of acupuncture. Again, the stimulation of the many points that line our meridians results in deep restoration and support of the organs associated with each. The digestive system reaps the benefits of this practice and it is a great way to support the flow of nutrients and removal of waste. It can also be used to help ease the discomfort of an inflamed GI tract. Many points can be stimulated to direct specific flow and target the release of bowels, contraction of intestines, and trigger healing mechanisms to take place.
- Hormones & Fertility— Acupuncture is widely recognized for its healing effects on the reproductive system. This is achieved by supporting the systems that impact our fertility (digestion, nervous system, detoxification, circulation, blood flow, etc). The hormones responsible for both men and women are supported through acupuncture. It is also an excellent tool to use throughout pregnancy, before labor, and postpartum. Its benefits to sustaining life, and making space for a smoother entrance into the world are extensive. The mind, body, and emotions are deeply intertwined in the creation of a life— Utilizing modalities that address all of these simultaneously yields incredible benefits.
- Sleep— The enhanced energy flow and equilibrium are directly associated with more restful sleep. The nervous system's role in sleep makes acupuncture a great tool to use especially when dealing with insomnia, disrupted sleep, early waking, and persistent fatigue.
- Vitality— The increased flow of Qi facilitates increased productivity, sustainable energy production, and consistent energy levels throughout the day.
what's so magical about putting needles in your body?
Hot & Cold Therapy
Heat therapy is renowned for its effect on pain relief and management. It has an exceedingly impressive ability to stimulate and improve blood circulation.
Our healing mechanisms within the body are stimulated and supported by increased blood flow. Heat encourages the expansion of blood vessels which allows for more efficient delivery of essential nutrients and oxygen to cells.
Muscle tension and tightness can be eased and loosened through the application/exposure to heat. The mobility and flexibility within muscles and joints are also greatly improved through heat making this therapy ideal for athletes, individuals suffering from arthritis, or any other symptom associated with muscles and joints.
Accelerate your recovery and healing time. Whether from working out, increased movement, work, or minor injuries heat therapy is an excellent option to assist your body in recovering.
Detoxification— Sweating and blood flow work to move lymph and waste products through your body. The skin is your largest detoxification organ and sweat is one of the primary ways the body rids itself of accumulated toxins and waste byproducts. This is useful not only for increased flow of toxins, but to also help the body rid itself of bacteria and infections as well. We get fevers as a protective mechanism to kill and remove pathogens our body needs to rid itself of. This is a huge reason why it is in fact not ideal to stop a fever right away. Our body harnesses heat to achieve a deeper balance within its systems. The use of saunas and steam are excellent modalities to implement in times of illness to assist the breakdown of mucus and support our lymphatic system so it can more effectively move and clear the present infections.
the benefits of heat
So, why should you freeze for health?
Pain relief— Cold therapy is highly effective in managing and lowering pain and inflammation. The constriction of blood vessels reduces blood flow which alleviates pain and decreases swelling. This is a great option for sore muscles, arthritis, and injuries.
Recovery + performance— Athletes and active individuals favor cold therapy for its ability to expedite post-workout recovery times. It reduces soreness, and inflammation, and speeds up the ability to rerun to activities. It is also able to prevent and reduce muscle spasms. Those prone to cramping and injuries may reap the benefits of cold therapy.
Circulation— Alternating between hot and cold has a tremendous effect on circulation. Changing between the two stimulates blood flow and supports vascular health. It pumps blood therefore increasing oxygen flow and delivery of nutrients to tissues.
Mental resilience— Exposing yourself to uncomfortable conditions promotes mental resilience and the ability to withstand discomfort + stress in other areas of life. This can positively seep into areas of anxiety/worry.
Sleep & stress— Cold therapy elicits a stress response, and with consistent exposure over time it helps the body adapt to stressors which leads to a peaceful state of mind. This increase in calming and soothing effects leads to improved sleep and fewer sleep disruptions. It has been seen to improve insomnia.
Nervous system— Exposure to cold temperatures reduces nerve activity. This reduced activity slows nerve conduction and temporarily reduces sensations of pain. The consistent exposure causes the nervous system to adapt and its tolerance to various daily stressors increases. This can be deeply supportive to the parasympathetic nervous system which in turn supports stress, and mood (including mental health).
Different ways to freeze your butt off
- Cold water immersion— natural bodies of water, ice baths, or water chambers.
- Cold compress, cold packs, ice packs
- Ice massage
- Cold showers
- Cryotherapy— Chambers involve entire body exposure and machines offer localized exposure
- You can use a deep freezer to freeze gallon buckets of ice
- Some even use freezer to make their own ice bath
- Water troughs are great, but won't keep it cold in the warmer months
- Consider a hose filter if you'd like to get some of the chemicals out of the water (but you win some you lose some)
Posture & Body Work
radiacal realignment for expansion and growth
Our Musculoskeletal system alignment and fascia have a profound impact on our vitality. Fascia is the connective tissue that surrounds and supports our muscles and organs. It is hugely impactful to the alignment and function of our musculoskeletal system. Restrictions, tension, and misalignment within our fascia can lead to: Muscle and joint pain, impaired mobility/flexibility, postural issues, nerve compression, circulation issues, chronic tension/inflammation, digestive dysfunction, headaches & migraines, balance issues, and respiratory issues.
Our body is designed to have an “S” shape. This shape lays the foundation for the rest of our internal structures and systems to operate optimally. This shape allows for proper posture and mobility. When this curvature is out of alignment it directly influences our bodily systems. This includes our organ function, as well as our anatomical structure. Our spinal structure is intertwined with our nerves which communicate between our nervous system and brain thus creating a deep connection to the health and function of our nervous system and anatomical structure. When subluxations (misaligned vertebrae) occur the communication between brain and body is interrupted. Additionally, compressed nerves can cause painful sensations within the area it is pinched. Due to the interconnectedness between nerves and body parts, this pain can radiate to other areas of the body. Addressing and restoring these areas of misalignment has a profound impact on the health of our body as a whole.
BowSpring— Re-pattern Your Posture
Bowspring embodies functional movement principles to develop and re-pattern our posture. This maximizes and impacts our mobility, flexibility, agility, and physical, emotional, and mental health. It encompasses all areas of the body and teaches individuals how to use breath and movement to restructure their physical posture. The approach is not only therapeutic to our physical body but the nervous system as well. The combination of movement and breathwork is profoundly restorative. This practice focuses on dynamic neutral positioning within 10 key areas of the body. Radical transformation of the body takes place through the implementation of these techniques. The results are all-inclusive stimulating incredible healing effects throughout the body as a whole. Tension, stress, and pain melt away when we address why they are presenting. Those who practice this can feel lighter and more agile and the benefits seep into all elements of life and movement. This method and teaching offer expansion throughout the physical body— making space for mental, emotional, and spiritual growth along the way.
Resources:
The Bowspring Method: To learn more about the practice, and history, and for videos demonstrating positions and flows.
Amanda Cepeda @glowbowgrow to learn more and be led through classes privately or in a virtual setting. Amanda’s online classes
Kori Meloy @korileoy Kori shares in-depth about her journey with bowspring and testimonials from her community. She has a course Rooted Families that offers education and a bowspring flow within its contents. An excellent resource!
cranial sacral therapy
Rooting back to the 1900s, cranial sacral therapy works with the bones of the skull and pelvis to reach deeper layers of membranes and cerebrospinal fluids. This improves their momentum and circulation. There is a constant pulsation of fluids through the craniosacral system and when their liquids lose their flow we see pain and symptoms present. Craniosacral therapists gently rest their hands on your skull and sacrum and asses your craniosacral rhythms. The movements of these fluids are delicate and precise. There are vast amounts of information moving throughout these systems and nerve endings. Through their hands-on techniques, these therapists assess tension patterns and facilitate releases. This practice is deeply supportive of the body and nervous system. It is an incredible addition to add in especially combined with other foundations & modalities. It is very gentle and therapeutic and stimulates a relaxed and calming response within the body.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is dedicated to reestablishing bodily equilibrium through the realignment of the spine to eliminate subluxations. By addressing these subluxations, the barriers between the brain and the nervous system are eliminated, facilitating unobstructed communication between the two. The removal of these subluxations can address dysfunction within nearly all systems and functions of the body which address a multitude of symptoms including (but not limited to) Migraines, digestive issues, mental health problems, inflammation within muscles + joints, POTS, respiratory battles, allergies, ear infections, weight loss, metabolic function, and sleep.
The Gonstead Method is a specific technique that Chiropractors get trained in. It is the most precise and thorough Chiropractic technique. The Gonstead system is made up of five elemental criteria for assessment they are as follows (many nervous system centered practice apply this technique (you can always call and ask ahead of time for more information. )
- Visualization: Looking for subtle changes in position and movement
- Instrumentation: A Nervoscope is used to detect uneven distributions of heat along the spine. This indicates inflammation and nerve pressure.
- Static Palpation: They feel the spine for the presence of swelling, tenderness, and any other abnormalities.
- Motion Palpitation: This involves feeling & moving the spine while bending it at various angles.
- X-Ray Analysis: This enables the doctor to have a complete visualization of the structure of your spine. This allows for a thorough assessment of posture, joint, subluxations in the vertebrae, joint+ disc integrity, and any current or previous fractures. These all are pieces to the puzzle.
need a reason to book a massage? look no further
Massage is an ancient healing tradition that has been utilized by many civilizations and cultures. The benefits are extensive and there are numerous branches of massage therapy available. These methods involve different techniques in which touch, pressure, and intensity vary depending on the desired outcome.
Some of the benefits of massage include:
- Increased circulation
- Improved relaxation response
- Reduced stress hormones
- Oxygen flow
- Muscle recovery
- Increased mobility + flexibility in muscles and joints
- Improved skin tone
- Lymphatic flow
- Mood + mental health support
- Increased mental awareness + alertness
- Somatic release
- Tension release
- Myofascial release
- Lymphatic massage
- Maya Massage
- Neuromuscular massage
- Reflexology