Somatics in Calgary, AB

Debra Denison can stand and move for 30 minutes at a time after two years of intense chronic pain left her on crutches.

Sue French is back to running after barely being able to walk for months due to severe back and hip pain.

Jude Ewan can finally move and control her arm after suffering a stroke that left her entire right side nearly paralyzed six years ago.

All three believe they have reclaimed their bodies and their lives because of simple exercises called Hanna Somatics.

I attended a Hanna Somatics training in Calgary this past summer. For the first time ever there were medical professionals in this training who understood that while manual bodywork has much to offer for those in pain, there was “something missing” in their perspective and their treatment plans. There was also Debra (mentioned above) who, for two years, had not been able to stand for more than a few minutes at a time. She had rediscovered herself through Hanna Somatic Exercises and slow, gentle movement exploration. Yoga teachers and massage therapists also attended in a quest to deepen and “tweak” their perspective on their bodies, their own movement, and this concept they’d heard so much about: Sensory Motor Amnesia.

What came out of this training is an exceptionally well written article about Hanna Somatics and how its methods can transform the course of one’s well-being as well as add “missing link” information to the medical perspective on chronic muscle pain, aging, repetitive stress and injury recovery.

READ THE ARTICLE FROM THE CALGARY HERALD HERE!

 

 

Improving Balance By Relaxing the Core

In my last post I wrote about how using crutches while recovering from an injury can lead to back pain, hip, shoulder pain, and sciatica due to Sensory Motor Amnesia (SMA). After the injury is healed balance needs to be restored, and walking needs to become smooth and effortless again. You can work on this before you get off your crutches. Below is a video showing three simple movements to get you started. The first one addresses the muscles of the front and back of the body, and the others address the muscles of the waist and hips. These movements will help remind you to regain coordination of your walking once you’re off crutches. Oh – and you don’t have to be injured to benefit from these movements! Anyone who feels stiff in their gait, or is suffering from knee, foot or hip pain will love these movements. Your posture will improve and you’ll stand straighter, with less effort.

Remember to do these movements SLOWLY, GENTLY, AND WITH AWARENESS. Somatic Movements release pain because you are nudging your muscles into greater, more intelligent movement through use of the brain. It’s no different from learning a new dance step or improving your swimming stroke. You’re improving control and sensation of muscles, which allows only the muscles necessary to do the work. Why work hard when you can work efficiently and effortlessly?

And if you’re on crutches now, or have had a serious injury, contact me to set up a session, attend a class, or receive advice.

Pain Relief After Injury For Those On Crutches

Have you ever had an accident or surgery and had to use crutches? Are you using crutches now? If so, then you know that using crutches can create sore shoulders, tight hip muscles, sciatica, and an aching back. Using crutches can cause you to literally forget how to walk properly, twist and turn your torso, or move your hips well. This is an indication that you are experiencing Sensory Motor Amnesia (SMA). When you become dependent upon crutches you begin to compensate and adapt in a way that helps you get through the injury, but gets in the way of a smooth gait once you’re back on your feet again. You lose the most basic sense of balance and coordination due to your very real need to rely on the crutches to help you through the day.

However, while you’re on crutches there is a lot you can do BEFORE you get off of them. Here are two photos of “Lynne,” a client I worked with who is still on crutches due to a broken left ankle:

BEFORE: Notice her hip on the left side; it’s higher than the right hip.  Notice the hem of her shirt, which angles up to the left. This occurs due to lifting the left hip to crutch around and protect the left ankle. It’s no wonder that Lynne complained of back pain; she had to shift all her weight onto her right side to compensate for her injured left side.

We worked to relax and release the muscles of the Trauma Reflex – the muscles that help you side bend and twist –  which reflexively tighten to avoid further injury. Then we practiced several movement patterns to help Lynne remember how to move her hips easily.

AFTER ONE SOMATICS SESSION:  
Notice the difference in Lynne’s left hip. After pandiculating the muscles of her waist and working with her hips and legs, she was able to bring herself back into balance. Her weight is evenly distributed on both feet. She reported her back pain gone and a renewed ease of movement in her hips. She said that being balanced “felt strange, because I guess being out of balance became normal for me.” How right she was! Her brain had learned instantly how to compensate, so engaging her brain with sensory motor learning, was her path to regaining coordination and balance.

In my next blog post I will show you some of the movements I gave Lynne to practice in order to remind her muscles to relax while she continues to heal. When she gets off her crutches her rehab will be easier and more effective.

To learn the movements that will help you regain a smooth gait, relaxed muscles and optimum muscle function, check out my instructional DVD, Pain Relief Through Movement. The methods and movements you will learn in this DVD will teach you to balance your muscles, regain body awareness and relieve pain – all on your own!