Infinite Touch Integrative Therapies, LLC

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Pregnancy Care Plans at Infinite Touch!

Learn about our new treatment packages specifically tailored to pregnancy and postpartum.

Whether this is your first pregnancy or your tenth, you'll only birth this baby once. At Infinite Touch Integrative Therapies, LLC, we honor the body's innate wisdom and aim to support its natural process as it prepares for (and recovers from) the miracle of birth.

Supporting Pregnant Mothers -- More Than A "Job"

When I had my first baby in the summer of 2016, my world changed in more ways than one. In addition to the normal major life adjustments of bringing a new baby into the world, I also uncovered a deep passion within me: supporting other mothers on their journeys though pregnancy and birth. Having been blessed to receive a great deal of invaluable support during my first pregnancy (and again during my second), I feel compelled to pay it forward and do my part to continue supporting the other pregnant mothers whose paths I cross.

I have been offering pregnancy and birth support in varying capacities for several years now, on a primarily unofficial/volunteer basis. I have served as a doula for many of my good friends, and I have been helping facilitate village prenatals since 2019. I am thrilled to be able to incorporate pregnancy and birth support into my professional practice, as well!

New Pregnancy Care Plans at Infinite Touch

I have designed an overall pregnancy and postpartum treatment plan that is intended to support pregnant mothers beginning in the first trimester and concluding around 6 weeks postpartum. Mothers have the option of starting the plan in their second or in their third trimester as well. Sessions can be any combination of the therapies I offer: CranioSacral Therapy, Massage Therapy, or Thai Massage.

Pregnancy Care Plan: What's Included

First Trimester ~ 2 sessions
Second Trimester ~ 3 sessions
Third Trimester ~ 6 sessions
Postpartum ~ 2 sessions for Mama and 1 session for Baby. Baby's session and Mama's first session will be in their own home.

As a mother who chooses to participate in my pregnancy care plan, you will also have access to me seven days per week via text, as an added confidential resource for your pregnancy and upcoming birth. I will be available to help build your birth plan, discuss the pros/cons of the options you have available to you, and serve as a sounding board as you navigate whatever situations may arise for your during your pregnancy.

Pregnancy Care Plan: The Numbers

Total cost when starting in the first trimester: $1,350

- Monthly payment plan distributed over 9 months: $150

- Payments distributed per trimester: $450

Total cost when starting in the second trimester: $1,150

- Monthly payment plan distributed over 6 months: $191.67

- Payments distributed per trimester: $575

Total cost when starting in the third trimester: $850

- Monthly payment plan distributed over 3 months: $283.33

Mama's sessions will be 1 hour apiece, and baby's session will be 30 minutes. If the father/partner would also like to receive bodywork while the mother is a part of our pregnancy care plan, they can have access to sessions at our discounted package price of $90/hour.

Alternatively, pregnant mothers can always participate in our standard pricing of $360 for 4 hours or individual hours for $105. However, these price points do not include the in-home session or the ongoing support via text.

What Is CranioSacral Therapy?

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a very gentle, light-touch manual therapy that is geared towards enhancing the body's total functioning. By tuning into subtle rhythms in the body and using these rhythms to identify points of restriction, we can assist in freeing these tensions so that innate vitality can be restored. To learn more about what CranioSacral Therapy is, please view our earlier blog post: Understanding CranioSacral Therapy.

Benefits Of CranioSacral Therapy During Pregnancy & Postpartum

There are many distinct benefits of receiving CranioSacral Therapy during pregnancy and postpartum. In addition to helping the body accommodate the physical changes of an ever-growing baby and uterus, getting regular CST treatments during pregnancy often leads to easier labors, swifter postpartum recoveries, and improved satisfaction with the mother's overall labor and birth experience. I discuss the many reasons to receive CranioSacral Therapy during pregnancy more in-depth in my blog post titled CranioSacral Therapy for Pregnancy, Birth, & Postpartum.

Wishing You The Best On Your Journey Through Pregnancy!

Every pregnancy is special, unique, and important, and expecting mothers deserve all the support they can get while they grow our future generations.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. I would be honored to support you during this powerful, transformative time in your life!

Hands That Listen

- Post by Bailey Puppel, LMT, CST-T (Owner & Therapist)

Infinite Touch Integrative Therapies, LLC

www.InfiniteTouchLLC.com

Phone:
Darin: (573) 280-4470
Bailey: (573) 480-7080

Hours:
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Monday-Friday
by appointment only

Address:
2139 State Road Y

Linn Creek, MO 65052

Like Us On Facebook!

Sunday, February 13, 2022

Celebrating 5 Years With BIG Plans!

After an absence from our blogging presence, we are BACK to celebrate the 5th anniversary of Infinite Touch Integrative Therapies, LLC!

What We've Done So Far

February 1st marked exactly 5 years since we first opened our doors and began offering professional bodywork at the Lake of the Ozarks: CranioSacral Therapy, SomatoEmotional Release, Thai Massage, Visceral Manipulation, and Therapeutic Massage. Much has changed in our lives since we first embarked on this journey...

I switched careers and obtained a manual therapy license so that I could work alongside Darin.
Darin completed a rigorous apprenticeship process, and is now officially certified to teach CranioSacral Therapy 1: Assessment of Central Nervous System and Fascia for Full Body Treatment Protocol for The Upledger Institute. Darin is also qualified to teach introductory CranioSacral Therapy classes within our local community, including Introduction to CST and Share Care classes.
I started serving as a teaching assistant for The Upledger Institute.
We expanded our original office, adding a second restroom and a large treatment room. Eventually, we moved our office to a different suite so that we are now located in the front of our building.
We grew from a family with one 5-month old baby to a family of four, with an energetic 5.5 year old and a feisty almost 3 year old.

We have been thrilled to watch our business continue to grow as we navigated each of these changes. We are deeply, deeply grateful to our wonderful clients who have chosen to make us a part of their journeys. Now, as we celebrate the fifth anniversary of our manual therapy office in Lake Ozark, we are excited to share with you our big plans for expansion in the coming years.

Our Plans For The Future

While we plan to continue offering our current services indefinitely, we are planning to expand on them significantly. We are actively working on acquiring property to become the forever home of our small business at the Lake of the Ozarks. The acreage on the new property will enable us to pursue our dream of eventually opening a private retreat center here at the Lake. We plan to offer a variety of opportunities for people to care for their mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. Obviously, we are still very much in the dreaming phase for our retreat center, but here is a sneak peek at the kinds of things we are hoping to provide in the Lake Area.

Meditation circles and retreats
Women's retreats
Men's retreats
Therapist retreats
Multi-day treatment intensives
Continuing education classes
Community-oriented classes

Eventually, we plan to build lodging options on the property so that our attendees can have the option to stay on the premises for the retreats and other multi-day events. These lodging accommodations will also be available to our massage or CranioSacral Therapy clients who may be coming from a distance.

In addition to the retreats and classes, we are visioning providing these other amenities for our guests:

Sauna
Hot tub
Wooded hiking trails
Labyrinth
Fire circles
Gardens
Outdoor swimming pool where we can provide in-water CranioSacral Therapy and other forms of treatment

We are absolutely buzzing with excitement as we brainstorm all the possibilities our future holds. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for supporting our business for the past five years -- you've made it possible for us to be preparing to make these leaps forward so we can expand what we are able to offer to our local community.

Stay tuned for more information as we move forward with the property acquisition! We can't wait to take this journey with you.

Hands That Listen

- Post by Bailey Puppel, LMT (Owner & Therapist)

Monday, September 9, 2019

CranioSacral Therapy in Action

Success Stories & Positive Feedback From Our Clients

We decided to pursue a career in CranioSacral Therapy (CST) and other bodywork modalities because we deeply believe in the power of gentle, non-directive, hands-on therapeutic presence to help people heal. One of the things we love about CranioSacral Therapy, in particular, is its versatility. CST can be used to treat a huge variety of different conditions and symptoms.

We are blessed to have had the opportunity to help people with all kinds of different challenges. In this blog, we are taking the opportunity to share some of the exciting feedback we have received from our wonderful clients.

"She hasn't had any signs of reflux since her session!"
After exhausting all other options to rule out causes of our infant’s “silent reflux/colic,” we brought our four-month-old for CranioSacral Therapy with Darin. We drove an hour to get there because we felt Darin is the most qualified person in our area to do this work, and we trust his expertise. She hasn’t had any signs of reflux since her session! We were very pleased with the experience and results.
- Erin

"Extremely professional and amazing at what he does."
I had a pretty bad back injury a few weeks ago. Darin worked on me for 30 minutes, and it felt so much better right away. I completely forgot that it was even there!!! He was extremely professional and is amazing at what he does. He also worked on my son when he was around 6 or 7 months. My son was really sick with a high fever, and after Darin saw him he started recovering that day. He was so good with my son -- super gentle and only did what he needed to do, no more! I would refer anyone to him!!! Oh and his wife Bailey is also fantastic!!!
- Brittney

"Very gentle, compassionate, and thorough."
I was in desperate need of finding a solution for my 2 week old newborn baby boy, as he would scream in so much pain to pass gas or BM. I heard about Darin and his ability to provide CranioSacral Therapy. Wow, I could not explain how thankful I am to have taken him to Darin! He is very gentle, compassionate, thorough, and will talk you through every little technique he is performing. My son is 100 times better and I would recommend Darin to absolutely anyone! There’s no better time than being a newborn to take your baby to Darin so their bodies are anatomically corrected at the beginning of their life!
- Haven

"There is something to this that works."
I had been experiencing some fairly severe back pain for several months prior to my visit with Darin. I do have degenerative disc disease and the three ER doctors I spoke with chalked it up to that and went as far as telling me I should, "expect to have pain for the rest of my life." Darin had a different opinion. In all honesty, my session was not like anything I had ever experienced before, though I can say that since my visit I have been 90% pain free. There is something to this that works.
- Carli

"His eye cleared up completely less than 24 hours after his visit!"
I took our 5 week old in for an evaluation. He had no big issues, but I wanted him looked over. Since he was born, his right eye had been consistently been watery and “crusty.” We had to wipe it out multiple times a day or else he couldn’t open it. The pediatrician said it was a clogged tear duct. We had one visit with Darin, and it seemed a little better that afternoon. We wiped it out again the next morning, and haven’t had to since (a full week ago). His eye completely cleared up less than 24 hours after his visit!! 👍😊
- Hannah

"I feel a lot more mobility."
I still feel pain when I arch my back, but it takes a more severe arching. I do, however, feel a lot more mobility, even with the pain. I even went for a walk last night! I can bend over and actually touch my toes and can stand up without holding on to anything. Although there is still pain, I couldn't usually do that on most days.
- Missy

"I am so grateful to have such a healing resource available."
I have been getting regular massages for years, but recently needed a new provider and was recommended to Darin! I am so thrilled to have found such a great resource! Every time I go, I feel like I get exactly what I needed for that visit. Our bodies are always changing and sometimes more stressed than others, but Darin has the experience to find the tension and relieve the stress. I am so grateful to have such a healing resource available. Thank you so much.
- Crystal

Thank You For All Your Wonderful Feedback!

We deeply appreciate all our clients who take the time to share their feelings, observations, and results with us. We are also very grateful for these clients who have allowed us to share their stories with others. It is truly an honor to be a part of your healing journeys.

If you would like to learn more about what CranioSacral Therapy is and some of the different applications of CranioSacral Therapy, feel free to visit some of our earlier blog posts!

Give us a call at (573) 280-4470 or (573) 480-7080 to learn more about how our CranioSacral Therapists in Mid-Missouri can help you!

Hands That Listen

- Post by Bailey Puppel, Owner

Infinite Touch Integrative Therapies, LLC

www.InfiniteTouchLLC.com

Phone:
(573) 280-4470
(573) 480-7080

Hours:
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Monday-Friday
by appointment only

Address:
110 Crossings E Drive, Suite 5
Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Like Us On Facebook!

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

CranioSacral Therapy for Pregnancy, Birth, & Postpartum

Through its gentle, client-led approach, CranioSacral Therapy can help mothers' bodies as they prepare for (and/or recover from) one of the biggest events of their lives.

Stock Photo Credit: Canva

Childbirth is a natural and powerful physiological process that all women's bodies are designed to undergo. Every baby will be born in some way or another, but many women have specific ideals that they hold for their births. If you are expecting, there are various things that you and your partner can do during pregnancy and labor to contribute to an easier birth and faster postpartum recovery. Due to its gentle, non-invasive, client-led approach, CranioSacral Therapy lends itself especially well to supporting this innate physiological process. Keep reading to learn more about how CranioSacral Therapy can contribute to an easier pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery.

Stock Photo Credit: Canva

CranioSacral Therapy During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is one of the most transformative experiences a woman can undergo. She goes from nurturing and growing just one person -- herself -- to two (or three or even more, if she is carrying multiples). The unborn baby's needs change as he/she develops in utero, but throughout the process the baby will rely exclusively on the mother's body to fulfill these needs. As their babies grow, most mothers experience the infamous "pregnancy aches and pains" that are often the result of her body trying to integrate all of the changes it must undergo in order to accommodate the growing fetus within her.

Our CranioSacral Therapists at the Lake of the Ozarks can facilitate this integration process by tuning into mothers' bodies, helping their tissues release restrictions, and encouraging much-needed tissue reorganization so that both mother and baby can be more comfortable. Because the baby is constantly growing, the uterus is constantly expanding, which in turn causes all of the surrounding structures to undergo constant readjustment. For this reason, many women find it extremely helpful to make professional bodywork a regular part of their self-care routine throughout their pregnancies.

Stock Photo Credit: Canva

CranioSacral Therapy During Birth

As every woman who has given birth will tell you, childbirth is one of the biggest, most life-changing events any woman can experience. Its process and its outcome, whether positive or negative, will likely impact her life for many years to come. Receiving regular CranioSacral Therapy treatments during pregnancy can help the body release restrictions that might otherwise make childbirth more challenging or difficult when the time comes.

There are also certain CST techniques that can be used during labor to help facilitate the process. Some of these are relatively simple and can even be taught to the mother's partner, doula, care provider, or other members of her birth team. Carol McLellan's article in Massage Magazine states that women who receive CranioSacral Therapy during pregnancy and labor experience a number of benefits, including:

Less need for Pitocin or other drugs to either induce or speed up labor
Fewer incidences of prolonged labor
Less need for an epidural or other pain-relieving drugs (as well as fewer negative effects when pain-relieving medication is used)
Babies who are more peaceful during the first few weeks

Stock Photo Credit: Canva

CranioSacral Therapy During Postpartum

Recovering physically from birth and learning how to integrate a newborn into the family are huge processes that deserve a great deal of attention and support. Depending on how the pregnancy and/or birth went, both mother and baby may have developed certain physical lesion patterns that their bodies need help overcoming. Structural issues can be the core cause of physical symptoms (such as pain or prolonged recovery), or they can lead to emotional challenges such as postpartum anxiety or depression. Conversely, emotional issues such as these, if left unaddressed, can lead to additional physical symptoms.

Newborn babies can also benefit immensely from CranioSacral Therapy. CST can help overcome any structural issues that may have stemmed from the way infants were born or from the care they received immediately following birth. CranioSacral Therapy has been shown to help newborns in a variety of different ways, including improved latch/breastfeeding and reduced symptoms of colic or other distress.

Stock Photo Credit: Canva

The Emotional Aspects of Pregnancy, Birth, & Postpartum

No conversation about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum would be complete without also addressing the vast array of emotions that mothers experience. Pregnancy often brings deeply rooted emotions to the surface -- emotions that may have stayed safely hidden for years, but now demand attention. If the pregnancy was not planned, the emotions expecting mothers experience may be even more burdensome.

Childbirth and postpartum, depending on their process and outcome, usually bring even more emotions into the picture. Some of these emotions may have logical sources that can easily be reasoned through, and others may not. As we discussed in our previous blog about SomatoEmotional Release, CranioSacral Therapy often lends itself very well to uncovering and addressing deep emotional issues that are stored within the tissues.

Unspoken and/or unaddressed emotional challenges can lead to increased pregnancy discomfort, as well as prolonged labor or other birthing difficulties. By helping our clients uncover and process their emotions, whatever they may be, our Lake of the Ozarks CranioSacral Therapists help our clients achieve easier pregnancies/births and swifter postpartum recovery periods.

Click here to learn more about SomatoEmotional Release.

Stock Photo Credit: Canva

CranioSacral Therapy for New or Expecting Fathers

While we have primarily geared this article towards the physical and emotional changes pregnant and birthing mothers undergo, it is important that we also acknowledge the changes that new or expecting fathers experience. Even when they are excited about the baby, expecting fathers often experience a great deal of pressure and stress during pregnancy, such as concern over providing for an additional family member or worry about their wives' safety during birth. Fathers' emotional burdens may change focus once the baby is born, but rarely do they go away completely.

CranioSacral Therapy can provide new and/or expecting fathers with a safe place to explore and process the emotions that may be impacting their lives (whether that impact is conscious or non-conscious). CST can also help their bodies overcome any physical restrictions that may be contributing to greater physical or emotional discomfort.

Contact Us for More Information or to Schedule Your Appointment!

Every pregnancy and birth is different, but each one is beautiful and powerful in its own way. Our bodies have a greater wisdom and intelligence than we may ever consciously understand. Our job -- as mothers, fathers, caregivers, therapists, family, and friends -- is to simply trust and support the process as best we can.

Give us a call at (573) 280-4470 or (573) 480-7080 to learn more about how our CranioSacral Therapists in Mid-Missouri can help you!

Hands That Listen

Monday, December 31, 2018

Looking Back on 2018

It has been quite the year of transformation and growth at Infinite Touch Integrative Therapies, LLC!

As 2018 comes to a close, we want to take the opportunity to look back at all of the great things that happened throughout this fantastic year.

Highlights from 2018:

Bailey finished her massage therapy training and began taking appointments professionally.
Darin began his apprenticeship for the Upledger Institute and continues to travel the path towards teaching.
Darin also became a registered CranioSacral Study Group Leader and a Certified Presenter for introductory CranioSacral Therapy classes.
Between the two of us, we racked up over 200 hours of continuing education.
Our adventures took us to:

Detroit, Michigan
Louisville, Kentucky
Kansas City, Missouri
Nashville, Tennessee
Missoula, Montana
Palm Beach, Florida
Vancouver, Canada
... Plus a vacation in Italy!

We expanded the office space at our CranioSacral Therapy center at the Lake of the Ozarks, adding a second wheelchair-accessible bathroom and a third treatment room.
We started subleasing some of our office space, and we have greatly enjoyed the expanded therapeutic atmosphere.

Grateful To Do What We Do!

Our work brings so much light into our lives. On a daily basis, we get to witness babies, toddlers, kids, men, women, and seniors healing physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is our profound honor to create and support a safe space where bodies can correct themselves, inner truths can find clarity, and personal growth may flourish.

The name for our practice, Infinite Touch Integrative Therapies, LLC, draws inspiration from the innate, limitless healing wisdom each of us possesses. Our name also reflects the immeasurable impact that healing has as it echoes throughout our lives and ripples out into the world. Many sessions this past year have filled our hearts with a reverent curiosity that will fuel us in our continued mission to provide our world with the opportunity to become a more peaceful place.

Thank You To Our Invaluable Support Team!

We have many people to thank for our incredible 2018...

Renate Brodecker at Shea Ren Tae' Center for Wellbeing -- thank you for your expert tutelage given to Bailey.
Stan Gerome, Chas Perry, and Kat Perry -- thank you for placing Darin on his path to instructor-hood.
Amy Ginsky, Vicki Neal, Sarah McKee, and Scott Kuenneke -- thank you for bringing new, beautiful light to the office.
Dick Larson, Melinda Naye, and Eric Moya -- thank you for sharing your wisdom and classrooms with Darin.
Karyn Quraishy, Avadahn Larson, and Claudia Silva -- thank you for your wonderful, inspiring classes.
The Upledger Institute -- thank you for continuing to share the work that we hold so dear.
Jack Cooper -- thank you for providing and maintaining our beautiful office building.
Our family -- thank you for your wildly supportive natures.
And, of course, the few hundred of you that allow us to be a part of your health and growth support system -- thank you, thank you, thank you.

More Exciting Developments On The Horizon!

It has truly been a banner year at our Lake of the Ozarks manual therapy office, but we're not planning on slowing down! Here is a sneak peek at some of the things to watch for in 2019:

Multi-therapist CranioSacral Therapy sessions
Floating CranioSacral Therapy sessions (held in water)
A revamped and more accessible schedule for our CranioSacral Therapy study groups in Mid-Missouri
Local introductory CranioSacral Therapy classes

As many of you know, we are also expecting our second child to arrive in February of 2019!

We are truly blessed to have so much to be thankful for from this last year, as well as so many things to look forward to in 2019. Again, our deepest thanks to all of you for taking part in this journey with us!

Happy, Happy New Year! May your coming year be filled with endless blessings and joy.

Hands That Listen

- Post by Bailey Puppel and Darin Puppel, Owners & Therapists

Infinite Touch Integrative Therapies, LLC

www.InfiniteTouchLLC.com

Phone:
(573) 280-4470
(573) 480-7080

Hours:
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Monday-Friday
by appointment only

Address:
110 Crossings E Drive, Suite 5
Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Like Us On Facebook!

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Diving Deeper into CranioSacral Therapy via SomatoEmotional Release

You are not made up of segmented parts.

Your body, your mind, your emotions, and your spirituality are all inextricably connected, every aspect coming together to make YOU. Your body is an integrated whole, and every part of you affects every other part.

When you come to Infinite Touch Integrative Therapies, you will receive a session that is structured within this concept of holism. We believe that the best way for symptoms to dissipate is for the core physical issues be addressed alongside any emotional, energetic, or spiritual issues that may also be present.

Emotions Are Stored Within Your Tissues

Our bodies process and remember every event that happens within our lives. This includes events that we may not be consciously aware of (such as moments when we are unconscious, under anesthesia, and moments that are overlooked and/or considered unimportant).

If a certain event is traumatic or overwhelming, the body may choose to store the energies and emotions associated with the event until they can be safely processed at a later date. These traumatic or overwhelming events can take many forms, such as:

A car accident
A heated argument
Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
Losing a loved one
Falling
Surgery
A difficult labor or birth (as experienced the mother, child, or even the father)
And more

Unfortunately, opportunities to safely process these stored emotions can sometimes be hard to come by. We lead busy lives, and most of us are often too caught up in the mayhem of day-to-day life to allow ourselves the time we need to process.

Sometimes We May Be Consciously Aware Of The Trauma; Other Times We May Not Be

Generally, our bodies and conscious minds interact with stored energy/emotion in one of four ways:

We may relegate the memories of a traumatic event to our non-conscious mind so as to not become overwhelmed by them. This is often referred to as "blocking it out."
We may remember the traumatic event and become frequently overwhelmed by the weight of the memory. This may result in depression, anxiety, anger, etc.
We may remember the traumatic event and think/talk through it enough times that our conscious mind may convince us that we have dealt with it -- that it is no longer affecting us. While this may be true, our tissues may still be holding onto separate, more visceral emotions that have yet to be addressed.
We may remember the traumatic or stressful event and convince ourselves, in our logical conscious minds, that the event was really not that stressful. We may try to reason our way through it without acknowledging the full emotional effect that it had on us.

Regardless of how the conscious mind gets involved, each of these four scenarios results in the same thing: overwhelming energies or emotions are stored in our tissues, without the opportunity to be properly addressed, processed, and released.

When Energy Remains Stored In Tissue, The Body Has To Compensate

When we encounter an event that is stressful, traumatic, or overwhelming to the point where the body cannot effectively process it all in the present moment, the extra energy is "walled off" somewhere within the tissues. This creates what CranioSacral Therapists commonly refer to as an "Energy Cyst."

Once created, an Energy Cyst will remain intact until we find ourselves in a situation that our body deems safe enough to process the stored memory, energy, and/or emotions. Until then, the body has to work hard to keep the energy tucked safely away. The body also has to compensate by working around this Energy Cyst as it carries out all the constant functions associated with maintaining life.

Healing From The Trauma With SomatoEmotional Release

One of the reasons why high-quality bodywork is so essential to our well-being is that it can help create the opportunity for the body to finally release these Energy Cysts. Because of its gentle, non-invasive, and client-led approach, CranioSacral Therapy lends itself especially well to this process.

SomatoEmotional Release ("soma" meaning "body") is the term given to describe the process that occurs when the body finally processes and lets go of stored tension. SomatoEmotional Release (SER) occurs spontaneously -- the therapist doesn't plan to induce an emotional release for the client, and often the client also does not make a conscious decision to initiate an SER (although the client always has the option of choosing not to allow the SER to continue). During an emotional release, clients may cry, laugh, yell, and generally express emotions however they need to in order to bring them to a safe, effective resolution.

Our CranioSacral Therapists At The Lake Of The Ozarks Are Here To Help

Because CranioSacral Therapy lends itself so well to helping clients process stored emotions, advanced CranioSacral Therapists are trained extensively in supporting clients through this process. As CranioSacral Therapists at the Lake of the Ozarks, we specialize in being a non-judgmental, non-directive, and supportive resource for your body, mind, and spirit. The body is self-healing; it does not need our guidance. We are simply here to support you as you go through your own healing process, according to the perfect treatment plan your body has already designed for you.

Contact Us To Learn More

It can be a challenging concept to wrap your brain around at first, but the truth is that SomatoEmotional Release is a natural, organic process that our bodies are designed to undergo. We consider ourselves truly blessed to be able to help support our clients as they go though such powerful healing.

If you would like to learn more about SomatoEmotional Release, CranioSacral Therapy, or bodywork in general, we hope you'll reach out. We are here to help however we can.

Hands That Listen

Sunday, April 29, 2018

7 Powerful Applications of CranioSacral Therapy

As one of the few businesses to offer CranioSacral Therapy in Central Missouri, we make it our mission to help spread awareness of this powerful therapy and the unique (and expansive) benefits it offers. Since April is CranioSacral Therapy Awareness Month, we're taking this opportunity to shed some light on some of the many different conditions CranioSacral Therapy (CST) can frequently help treat.

The Power of CranioSacral Therapy

As we have discussed in previous blog posts, the heart of CranioSacral Therapy focuses on the craniosacral system, which surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord. These crucial structures control every part of our body and the way it functions. By closely tuning into to the craniosacral rhythm that is created as cerebrospinal fluid is produced and reabsorbed, CranioSacral Therapists can identify restrictions in the body that may be impeding its performance.

"Listening" to this rhythm enables therapists to look past the superficial symptoms that may be presenting so that we may instead identify and address the true source of the problem. (If you'd like a broader explanation of the craniosacral rhythm and how it works, please visit our previous blog post.)

Because of its unique client-centered approach, the possible applications of CranioSacral Therapy are practically endless. However, for the purposes of this blog post, we've identified seven examples that can help convey the different types of scenarios in which CranioSacral Therapy can be helpful.

7 Powerful Applications of CranioSacral Therapy

1. Headaches & Migraines

This is quite possibly one of the most common symptoms CranioSacral Therapy can help treat. Contrary to popular belief (in the United States), all of the cranial bones (and every other structure in the body) is designed to move slightly as cerebrospinal fluid is produced and reabsorbed. Though not necessarily always the case, headaches and migraines are frequently the result of this movement being restricted -- especially if the restriction occurs in one of the cranial bones. CranioSacral Therapy can identify where the restriction lies and help offer the resources the body needs to overcome this restriction.

2. Infertility

For couples who wish to have children, the stress of being unable to conceive is unlike any other. Fertility challenges can be the result of physical problems, but in some situations they may also be the result of unresolved trauma or other emotional/psychological issues. In either scenario, CranioSacral Therapy offers the tools needed to address the issues at their roots.

3. Concussions

Though not usually life-threatening, the effects of a concussion can still be quite serious. Repeated concussions are especially debilitating. Depending on the severity of the injury, the brain may be bruised, the nerve tissue may be stretched or sheared, and/or the brain may become chemically imbalanced. When the brain is injured, it creates restriction in the dura mater membrane (the tough sac that protects the brain). This membrane is one of the primary structures targeted by CST. The Upledger Institute has created an ongoing program to treat retired professional football players that experienced multiple concussions throughout their career, and the results have been truly phenomenal. You can read more about their program here.

Photo Credit: www.Upledger.org

4. Depression, Anxiety, & PTSD

Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder are classified as mental health issues, but as we know, the body is an integrated whole. We believe that in order to truly address these types of issues, it is crucial that we treat the physical body as well. The tissues within the body process every event that happens in our lives. If there is a certain (or recurring) event that is overwhelming or traumatic, the body may choose to hold onto the accompanying energy/emotions until it can be processed safely. The body then has to compensate around this holding pattern. If it doesn't get the opportunity to release, it can create a strain on the body and various symptoms may develop as a result. CST enables the therapist to tune into the tissues and create a safe environment so that these emotions can finally be processed and released.

5. Scoliosis

Everything in the human body is connected. If the sacrum (the bone at the lower end of the spine) and/or one of the bones in the cranium becomes stuck in a twisted position, the twist may extend all the way down the spine. Our CranioSacral Therapist at the Lake of the Ozarks uses the craniosacral rhythm to identify the area of most restriction and begins treatment there. Depending on the cause of the scoliosis, CST can be an effective way to help treat (and in some cases, completely resolve) scoliosis symptoms.

6. Birth Trauma

Childbirth is a pivotal moment in the lives of both newborns, mothers, and fathers. Unfortunately, birth is a vulnerable process that can be disrupted by various complications, interventions, and environmental influences. CST offers moms, dads, and babies a gentle and supportive therapy that can help their bodies get back on track and honor their emotional journeys. One of our favorite sayings from advanced teachers at The Upledger Institute is, "we can't change what happened, but we can change how our bodies remember it."

7. TMJ Problems

Depending on their severity, challenges within the temporomandibular joint can range from simply annoying to completely debilitating. Our experienced CranioSacral Therapist in Mid-Missouri can use the rhythm to identify which areas of the body may be restricted, and which of those restrictions may be affecting the alignment of the temporomandibular joint. There are several CST techniques that work directly in the mouth, thus providing a very effective way to help the jaw work its way back to proper alignment.

TMJ dysfunction is often a more complex issue than most people realize, and the jaw itself is rarely the primary culprit. This joint is vulnerable to stresses from all over the body. We have even traced TMJ pain to a client's knee injury. In a single session, we balanced the knee and the TMJ pain spontaneously resolved. Now, years later, that client still has no jaw pain.

Contact Us To Learn How CranioSacral Therapy May Be Able To Help You

While these seven examples provide a helpful glimpse into the many different scenarios in which CranioSacral Therapy can be effective, they barely scratch the surface of all that CST truly has to offer. If you would like more information about how CranioSacral Therapy can help you with a specific issue, we hope you'll reach out to our CranioSacral Therapist in Central Missouri. We look forward to helping you on your journey!

Hands That Listen