Infinite Touch Integrative Therapies, LLC: 2018

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

- 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!

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

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Darin's On The Path Towards Becoming An Upledger Instructor!

Get excited -- we've got some BIG news to share!

At Infinite Touch Integrative Therapies, we are honored to get to share the powerful benefits of CranioSacral Therapy with our clients. Our passion for the therapy goes far beyond our local community. Our CranioSacral Therapist, Darin Puppel, also travels around the country to participate in comprehensive therapy programs and also volunteers his time as a teaching assistant for classes hosted by The Upledger Institute.

This month, we learned that he will get to continue that relationship not simply as an assistant...

Darin has been selected to begin training
to become an instructor for The Upledger Institute!

Teaching CranioSacral Therapy is Darin’s dream job, and we can’t WAIT for him to get started!

The Instructor Apprenticeship Program

The Upledger Institute is committed to providing superior CranioSacral Therapy courses to people all over the globe. As such, upcoming instructors must undergo a thorough training process before being allowed to teach courses independently.

Before he can officially begin the apprenticeship program, Darin must first serve as a teaching assistant for two more courses (one in April and one in June). After that, he will begin serving as a "guest lecturer" at the courses he attends so that he may practice lecturing while under supervision. The apprenticeship program will continue until the Upledger Institute feels that he is fully equipped and ready to teach courses on his own.

Darin's Journey with CranioSacral Therapy

Darin first discovered CranioSacral Therapy while in massage school back in 2010. After receiving a deeply powerful and impactful first session, he threw himself into studying the therapy so that he could offer the treatment to his own clients. He began working his way through the CranioSacral Therapy curriculum in the form of continuing education classes offered by The Upledger Institute. The more he learned about the therapy, the more his passion for it grew.

Upon completing his first Advanced CranioSacral Therapy class in January of 2014, he began looking for ways to give back to The Upledger Institute and help share the therapy with more people. He began volunteering as a teaching assistant for courses he had already completed, and quickly fell in love with helping new students hone the techniques.

For the past several years, Darin has been working towards the goal of teaching for The Upledger Institute. The fact that his application has been accepted and that he can begin actively pursuing that path is literally a dream come true. We are SO excited, humbled, and honored for Darin to have the opportunity to give back to the institute that shares the wealth of CranioSacral Therapy with the world.

What Does This Mean For YOU?

Fortunately, Darin's apprenticeship (and eventual role as an instructor) does not replace his role as a CranioSacral Therapist at the Lake of the Ozarks. He will travel more frequently to attend classes, but for now these travels will be limited to one 4-day course approximately every two months. This means that he will have plenty of time to continue offering individual therapy sessions at Infinite Touch Integrative Therapies.

He may travel more often once he is officially an instructor, but offering CranioSacral Therapy in central Missouri will remain a primary focus. We hope to continue expanding our local practice to eventually host Comprehensive Therapy Programs and CranioSacral Therapy courses right here at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Interested in learning more about CranioSacral Therapy and how it may be able to help you? Call us at 573-280-4470!

Hands That Listen

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Happy First Anniversary to Infinite Touch!

We blinked -- and just like that, the first year at Infinite Touch Integrative Therapies, LLC has come and gone! Our first year as a private manual therapy office at the Lake of the Ozarks has been truly amazing, and we are so grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way. In honor of our first anniversary, we are taking the opportunity to look back on the exciting developments that occurred throughout the year. Towards the end, we'll also offer a sneak peek at our plans for what's yet to come.

2017: A Year In Review

Darin & Bailey repainting the office

In January of 2017, we were hard at work getting our newly leased office space ready for business. We repainted the entire office space and carefully designed the interior to create a safe space for our clients to work through their inner processes. Since the initial setup, we have periodically rearranged and redecorated various parts of the office to create a space that is as dynamic and unique as the clients we serve. (Plus, if you know Darin, you know that he can't leave furniture and decorations in one place for very long!)

February 1st, 2017 was the first day we offered appointments for CranioSacral Therapy at the Lake of the Ozarks, massage therapy, visceral manipulation, and other therapies. In the past year we have been proud to serve clients with a variety of different backgrounds, needs, and ages. A few examples include working with babies to overcome issues such as reflux, lip/tongue ties, and restricted head growth, as well as and adults with frozen shoulder, anxiety, migraines, and PTSD.

In June, I finally worked up the courage to make a career shift. I began dedicating my full attention to helping Darin grow our new business and taking classes so that I could serve as a therapist as well. I cannot express how excited, humbled, honored I am to join Darin in the amazing work that he does!

Darin in Truth or Consequences, NM

In October, Darin spent two weeks in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico working with the talented therapists at Integrative Intentions, LLC. During the first week, he served as the preceptor (specialized teaching assistant) for their Advanced CranioSacral Therapy class. During the second week, he served as both a lead and a support therapist for one of their renowned Comprehensive Therapy Programs. While there, he also completed the oral exam and hands-on evaluation for his Diplomate Certification.

In November, Amy Ginsky, LMT of Bliss Bodywork, LLC began taking appointments in our second therapy room. We were excited to invite another like-minded therapist into our space, and we look forward to watching Amy's practice continue to grow.

In early December, we hosted our first public seminar. Titled Getting In Touch With CranioSacral Therapy, this first presentation offered an introductory look at what CranioSacral Therapy is, how it began, the theory behind it, and its powerful applications. We were thrilled with how well our presentation was received. Everyone who attended offered wonderful feedback, and the number of people in attendance made it clear that we'll need a bigger presentation venue when we host our next presentation!

In late December, Darin officially earned his Diplomate Certification in CranioSacral Therapy from The Upledger Institute. This high-level certification is only awarded to the most dedicated CranioSacral therapists, and earning it had been a long-time dream for Darin. We are so incredibly excited for that dream to have finally become a reality!

Getting In Touch With CranioSacral Therapy Presentation & Darin with his Diplomate Certification

2018: What's On The Horizon

The events just discussed were some of the primary highlights from 2017, but the whole year was filled with one exciting development after another. We learned a lot, both as therapists and as business owners. We plan to use the momentum built throughout last year to propel us forward into these new plans for 2018.

Two CranioSacral Therapists
By early fall, I will complete my preliminary training and be ready to join Darin as a CranioSacral Therapist at the Lake of the Ozarks. Once licensed, I will be able to take individual appointments as well as work with Darin directly to offer multi-hands CranioSacral Therapy sessions (a client being simultaneously treated by multiple therapists). Multi-hands work is immensely powerful -- once I am ready to begin taking appointments, we will take a deeper look at the benefits of multi-hands work.

Expanding The Space
Our office space includes a large, unfinished room. Apart from storage, this room has been predominantly unused throughout this first year while we got the business up and running. We are now beginning preparations to finish this back room. We are planning to build in a second, larger, ADA-approved restroom (complete with a shower) and a large additional treatment room. For now, this extra treatment room will serve the same purpose as our existing rooms; however, we plan to eventually install a small pool so that we can offer in-water CranioSacral Therapy sessions. Once we get closer, we will explore the unique benefits of zero-gravity treatments.

Looking Forward To What's To Come

We are moving forward in 2018 with a primary overarching goal in mind: to expand our manual therapy business in Central Missouri so that we may better serve an even wider variety of individuals. By teaming up with like-minded therapists and organizations, we can come together to create a powerfully therapeutic environment that can support each client on his/her own unique journey towards integrated health and wholeness.

2017 was a truly phenomenal first year, and we are greatly looking forward to the adventures 2018 has in store. Thank you so much to our family, friends, and -- most importantly -- our clients who support us. It is an honor to serve you and to provide holistic health services at the Lake of the Ozarks!

Hands That Listen