Bodywork for Balancing Lower Abdomen and Jaw Structures

Did you know that the lower abdomen and the jaw are linked energetically and physically? Not only are they similar in anatomical form and structure (both are horizontal diaphragms made mostly of soft tissue, they are also both creative centers (one for the reproductive tasks it manages and the other for creating narrative through language and sound). Furthermore, as mentioned in the CranioSacral article above, tightness in the the throat can translate to tightness in the cervix. 
For women who are trying to conceive or who are expecting, this is why jaw and throat tension can sometimes lead to reproductive complications. Prenatal bodywork will help to release restrictions in these regions (craniosacral jaw release technique pictured at right) and re-balance both energy centers. In addition to prenatal bodywork, you can release tension and open up your jaw structure on your own by yawning, laughing, or screaming. To read more about techniques massage and CranioSacral  therapists use to release fascial tissues in the pelvic floor and the occipital cranial base, and how the issues in the two areas can transfer, read this blog post.

Benefits of Therapeutic Grade Peppermint Oil

Peppermint essential oil is what I most commonly apply in my massage practice. Why, you ask? Because it is a highly effective analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, antiseptic, anti-fungal, anti-tumor, anti-spasmodic, astringent, expectorant and stimulant. It is also a great oil to have on hand during the summer months, as it is a cooling to the body when applied topically and will also repel insects, as well as soothe spider and mosquito bites.
Speaking of repelling insects, here is one of many recipes for homemade insect repellent.
    * 2 ounces distilled or boiled water
*     1.5 ounces witch hazel, rubbing alcohol or vodka
*     30 drops citronella essential oil
*     25 drops peppermint essential oil
*     15 drops tea tree essential oil
*     1 teaspoon of jojoba, almond, or olive oil* (optional, if you add this, add only 1 ounce of vodka or witch hazel)

Looking for a good brand of therapeutic grade essential oils? Check out Veriditas, which can be purchased at your neighborhood co-op, or Cure Oils, which can be ordered online.

Massage for Tennis Players

Any frequent tennis players out there are most likely familiar with at least one of the following: shoulder muscles issues, tennis elbow, issues with external rotator muscles of the hip, lower back pain, knee pain, or tight calves. Sound familiar? Please don't hesitate to ask for specific work on these areas at your next massage appointment. Receiving massage can help prevent and reduce the extent of tennis-related injuries. Massage will also increase circulation, thereby facilitating the removal of lactic acid and other metabolic waste that can inflame these areas. Additionally, strengthening the muscles that surround an injured area can relieve stress on the tendons. 

Your session will start prone (lying face down) and switch to supine (lying face upwards). In addition to focusing on the muscles used in tennis, we will do some proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching (or PNF stretches) using assisted stretches and resistance stretches designed to enhance your range of motion and rehabilitate any complications from past injuries. Peppermint oil will also be applied (unless you request otherwise) due to its many incredible properties listed below. Read more in The Role of Massage Therapy in Tennis Medicine.

CranioSacral Therapy for Trauma and Abuse Survivors

For survivors of domestic and sexual violence, there are almost always after-effects of the abuse that get stored in the body and can impact a person for years. CranioSacral Therapy is one way to help resolve stored trauma in the body by clearing away energy cysts that may be disrupting or restricting the flow of one's craniosacral fluids. For example, often times the need to keep the abuse a secret will manifest in physical tightness in the jaw and throat. Likewise, as the jaw structure often echoes patterns in the lower abdomen (see 'Bodywork for Balancing Lower Abdomen and Jaw Structures' below), there will also be tension in the lower abdomen, which the light, gentle touch of CranioSacral can help to release. It is important to remember that trauma will not disappear entirely from our bodies and consciousness, but rather that the associated memories and physiological states lose their debilitating power over us. To learn more about how CranioSacral can facilitate the healing process for survivors of abuse and violence, read this article.

Constructive Rest for Self-Care

Ever feel like you need to hit the reset button on your state of mind? When you feel stretched thin or just need a break in your day, take a towel, yoga mat, or blanket to a favorite place in nature. Whether you go to the beach, the Minnehaha Falls, or simply your own back deck, use the constructive rest position (as pictured at right) or corpse pose for 5 minutes just relaxing. For the next 5 minutes, focus your attention on the space between your skin cells, imagine them gently opening as in this exploding cranium video. Doing this will reset your nervous system from sympathetic (fight or flight) to parasympathetic (rest and digest) by flushing cortisol (or stress hormones) out of your system and allowing you to feel more relaxed. Do this at least once a day for best results. Maybe it's during your lunch break, after you return home from work, or maybe at both opportunities!

Walking meditation

Walking meditation always inspires me. A very recent trip to the Superior Hiking Trail took me up Carlton Peak, with it's magnificent vistas of Lake Superior on one side and the BWCAW on the other side. As hawks circled above, I breathed in the fragrance of pine, cedar and cypress. Healing occurs when we spend time in nature whether it is in the wild areas of Minnesota or something as simple as my own little back yard, full of Black Eyed Susan and Milkweed. As I rock my granddaughter we watch the bees, butterflies and their cohorts doing what they do best. Summer waits for no one, but, if we are paying attention, we can slow ourselves down enough to savor the flavors and fragrances; and to hear the sweetness of the birdsong a little more clearly. Feeling the heaviness of this 6 month old beauty in my arms as she drifts in and out of dreamland, I recognize that there is only now, the present moment.
Sometimes we lay on my deck watching the movement of the trees, birds and clouds. Occasionally eagles will soar through our tiny piece of the sky. It is truly heaven on earth.

I encourage you to be gentle, with yourself first, and those around you when you have an opportunity. This may take some practice, but it is a skill worth developing, like compassion, mercy, and cleaning your start up disc. And I suggest that you nurture yourself, so that those around you will learn from your example. Invest in your wellness and everyone around you shares in the returns of your investment. I look forward to seeing you soon!