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)

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:
110 Crossings E Drive, Suite 2B
Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Like Us On Facebook!

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!

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

- 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!

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

- 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!

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

- 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!

Getting In Touch With CranioSacral Therapy

Join us for an interactive presentation to learn about the healing power of CranioSacral Therapy & SomatoEmotional Release.

"How does CranioSacral Therapy work, exactly?"
"What's the theory behind this unique practice?"
"What does a typical session include?"

If you've had these (or other!) questions about CranioSacral Therapy, please bring them with you to our upcoming presentation:

Getting In Touch With CranioSacral Therapy 
Presenter: Darin Puppel, BCTMB, CST

• WHEN:  Saturday, December 2, 2017 OR Sunday, December 3, 2017
• WHAT TIME:  2:00 - 4:30 PM
• COST:  Free!

The same content will be covered on each day, so you can choose the date that will work best with your schedule. The event will be held right here at our Lake of the Ozarks manual therapy office:

Infinite Touch Integrative Therapies, LLC

110 Crossings E. Drive, Suite 5 

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Our office is located on the rear lower level of the Cooper Building.

What Will Be Covered?

We are planning an engaging, interactive presentation that should be fun as well as educational. Here is a sneak peek at the topics we plan to include:

• General explanation of what CranioSacral Therapy is and how it works.
• Overview of the relevant anatomy that CST frequently treats.
• A look at the key innovators who helped develop CranioSacral Therapy.
• A simple but thorough discussion of the theory behind CST and how we practice.
• An introduction to SomatoEmotional Release, how it was developed, and its therapeutic power.

Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and get direct feedback from our CranioSacral Therapist at the Lake of the Ozarks, Darin Puppel. Darin will also perform a short demo session on a volunteer so that everyone will have an opportunity to see CranioSacral Therapy in action.

Why CranioSacral Therapy?

Humans are complex creatures with complicated lives. We have several aspects to our existence: physical, psychological, emotional, professional, energetic, personal, spiritual, and more. Each of these aspects are inextricably interrelated. You are not segmented into bits and pieces - every part of you affects every other part.

CranioSacral Therapy enables us to treat the entire person as an integrated whole. By listening attentively to the body, we are able to respond to its true needs. CST isn't about treating symptoms; it's about addressing the root cause and facilitating the body's natural progression towards health.

RSVP To Reserve Your Spot!

If you are planning to attend, we kindly request that you RSVP to Bailey Puppel by texting/calling 573-480-7080 or messaging our Facebook page. Space is limited, and we want to be sure that we can accommodate all of our guests. Feel free to invite family, friends, or whomever else you know that may be interested in the event.

Questions? Comments? 

Hopes, dreams, fears? Contact Darin or Bailey Puppel to learn more about the upcoming presentation. We look forward to seeing you there!

Hands That Listen

- Post by Bailey Puppel

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!

A Closer Look At The CranioSacral Rhythm

It's one of the most critical parts of the body, but it is often completely overlooked by modern care providers.

The craniosacral system is comprised of the ventricles in the brain, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that they produce, and the structures that house and protect the brain and spinal cord. As its name suggests, this system begins at the cranium and stretches down to the sacrum (the triangular bone at the end of the spine). Though it is only in this localized area, its function drastically impacts the body's vitality.

In this month's blog, we are taking a closer look at the craniosacral system and how we use it to conduct treatment sessions at our manual therapy office at the Lake of the Ozarks. First, however, we need to take a closer look at the central nervous system and the fluid that surrounds it.

The Central Nervous System

The brain and the spinal cord make up the central nervous system. These structures are without a doubt the most crucial structures in the body. The brain controls everything that happens in the body - respiration, digestion, movement, senses, reproduction, thoughts, emotions, and all other bodily processes. The spinal cord is responsible for relaying messages from the brain to the different parts of the body so that the appropriate actions may be taken. 

As you are probably well aware, damage sustained by the brain and/or spinal cord can result in severe and far-reaching consequences. For this reason, the central nervous system is protected by the cranial bones, vertebral column, and various tissues and fluid to insulate, cushion, and guard against impact. However, what you may not realize is that even if the brain and spinal cord remain intact with no obvious signs of damage to their structure, their function can be impeded by various external factors. 

Cerebrospinal Fluid

Cerebrospinal fluid is one of the most important substances that helps protect the central nervous system. It flows around the brain and the spinal cord in a continuous loop, serving three primary functions:

• Insulating against blows or impacts by serving as a shock absorber
• Distributing nutrients to the brain and spinal cord
• Removing waste products from the central nervous system

The amount of cerebrospinal fluid in the craniosacral system must remain fairly constant, with a volume of approximately 2/3 of a cup. In order to maintain this balance, the system is always oscillating between filling and emptying.

When the fluid is its filling phase, the craniosacral system is said to be "in flexion." When the system is emptying, it is said to be "in extension." The loop is continuous, and the flexion/extension rhythm, though subtle, can be palpated throughout the entire body. This is the rhythm our Lake of the Ozarks CranioSacral Therapist tunes into when determining the best course of treatment. 

Using The CranioSacral Rhythm For Treatment

In an ideal situation, the cerebrospinal fluid would be allowed to ebb and flow unimpeded. All structures of the body would have the mobility required to shift gently as the fluid travels its course, allowing each structure to gain the maximum benefit of a fully functioning craniosacral system.

Unfortunately, this ideal rarely - if ever - manifests in real life.

The craniosacral system is delicate. It can be easily impeded by countless different things, from distinct trauma (such as physical trauma or car accidents) to seemingly unimportant incidents (such as tripping over a step but catching yourself before you fall). It may also be impeded by emotional and/or psychological challenges, such as failing to speak your truth during an emotional conversation. 

By tuning into the craniosacral rhythm at various key locations throughout the body (called "listening stations"), we can identify where the flow is impeded or, in some cases, entirely obstructed. Generally, we begin our therapy sessions in the location where the rhythm appears to be the most restricted. 

Once this location has been identified, we meld with the tissue using a very gentle pressure (often only five grams or less) and allow it to lead us where it wants to go. By following its chosen path, we support the body on its journey toward improved function and help facilitate its natural progression towards health.

Contact Us To Learn More!

While some people may experience more profound results than others, practically everyone can benefit from CranioSacral Therapy in some way. The light touch used and the inherently non-invasive approach in CST make it a safe, effective option to add to your healthcare arsenal. 

If you would like to learn more about CranioSacral Therapy and how it may be able to help your specific situation, please call us directly at (573) 280-4470. We truly look forward to being a part of your journey to a healthier, more fully integrated you!

Hands That Listen

- Post by Bailey Puppel

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

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