Working with Autoimmune Conditions, Chronic Pain, and a Wide Spectrum of Disabilities

The wisdom of Hippocrates is very appropriate here. When the body is facing challenges from chronic illness, autoimmune conditions, degenerative conditions, or disabilities, it is important for a well informed therapist to work appropriately, nurturing rather than challenging, and working to help the body build its resources for healing and movement toward health.

We are using many forms of bodywork to restore fluid movement and blood circulation throughout the body, and above all, to promote stress reduction and deep relaxation.

Whether it is an autoimmune condition, a neurodegenerative condition, cancer diagnosis and treatment, or just that undiagnosed intuitive sense that something is just not right, deep relaxation through touch and appropriate bodywork can have a profound impact.

We have extensive experience in working with chronic pain, illness, autoimmune conditions, disabilities, and have a long-time specialization in working with elders and people with developmental disabilities. We would be happy to have a conversation with you about the use of appropriate styles of bodywork to assist you in your journey toward better vitality and health.

Stress Reduction for Health

After decades of study and practice in the field of massage and bodywork, this is our understanding of how stress affects health:

A basic biological fact is that when a muscle is working, it uses more metabolic energy than when it is not working. We have an experience of this if we do hard physical labor all day—we come home tired and hungry. We thrive on cycles of work, replenishment, and rest. When we carry chronic stress, our muscles tense up. They are working all the time - 24/7 - to hold that stress pattern in the body. Now the muscular system, the largest and most energy consuming part of us, is taking all the metabolic resources from our other systems in order to maintain that constant tension. This can be a potential root cause for many chronic conditions. So when we make an intervention with massage that relaxes the mind and the muscles, all the metabolic resources that were being used holding muscle tension can redistribute to all the other systems—respiratory, circulatory, digestive, immune, etc.—to bring about more balance and harmony, and better health. The research has shown for decades that regular use of massage and bodywork therapies improve the function of all body systems, and we believe this is a practical explanation of how that works.

This is the wisdom of receiving regular, relaxing bodywork, in a stressful world, as part of your overall care for health and wellness.

Working With Families

We are very interested in providing comfort care for elders, and working with children (of all ages) with developmental disabilities.  Craniosacral therapy, and bodywork generally, can have a potentially profound positive effect on developmental disabilities - from ADHD to autism spectrum to cerebral palsy. Therapeutic relaxation can help with chronic pain, spasticity, behavioral and learning challenges, digestive issues, and much more.  The symptoms of aging, both physical and cognitive, can find much relief with massage therapy.  Caregivers are welcome to come in and be present during sessions, and Carl is a seasoned massage therapy instructor, willing to teach simple and effective techniques to caregivers to use day-to-day, in between massage therapy sessions. 

The following benefits are taken from many decades of research and clinical practice in the field of massage therapy:

Experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is stress-related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. Massage is an effective tool for managing this stress, which translates into:

• Decreased anxiety.
• Enhanced sleep quality.
• Greater energy.
• Improved concentration.
• Increased circulation.
• Reduced fatigue.

Massage can also help specifically address a number of health issues. Bodywork can:

• Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.
• Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays.
• Ease medication dependence.
• Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body's natural defense system.
• Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.
• Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.
• Improve the condition of the body's largest organ—the skin.
• Increase joint flexibility.
• Lessen depression and anxiety.
• Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
• Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.
• Reduce postsurgery adhesions and swelling.
• Reduce spasms and cramping.
• Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.
• Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body's natural painkiller.
• Relieve migraine pain.