"A wise man ought to realize that health is his most valuable possession."
Hippocrates
This reminds me that my most valuable possession is my health, my well-being, and my physical, emotional, mental and spiritual balance. For with these aspects in balance, I am able to be the best person possible, and I am able to give my all to my family and friends and humanity.
When it comes to the health and wellbeing of my family and myself, I am one to search for balance in all aspects. One of the ways that I help us all maintain balance is to utilize Complimentary Healing Modalities. Many of these Complimentary Healing Modalities have become a part of our everyday life. They help all of us in maintaining physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being and balance. So many times I will come out of a session for myself, or one of my children, and think how grateful I am to have this resource in my life!
For me, personally, I began utilizing the Complementary Healing Modalities when I had an environmental reaction. I began losing balance, feeling extremely sick to my stomach, and losing regular daily functions. Doctors could not determine what was wrong with me. So, I began working with a D.O. for Cranial Sacral Adjustments, a Functional Medicine Specialist, and an Esoteric Healer, in addition my regular medical doctors. Eventually, it was determined my issues were environmentally induced and my central nervous system was shutting down the function of my organs and my muscles were tightening and compressing me into a fetal position.
Once this was determined, I began intensive Esoteric Healing sessions, along with acupuncture, massage and cranial sacral work. It took about a 3 months to get back on my feet with the help of the complimentary healing modalities. I know that I would not have recovered that quickly or invasively without their help.
Following this, I began using acupuncture for detoxification and fertility issues. I used Esoteric Healing on a monthly basis for support and overall balance. I used cranial sacral treatments to help maintain proper body structure. And I used massage to help decrease stress build up in the musculature system and to help maintain proper function. Upon the birth of my children, my children have participated in cranial sacral, visceral manipulation and esoteric healing on a regular basis. This has helped them adjust more easily to life outside of the womb, and has helped with torticollis and an imbalance in muscle development. While they may not have needed these all of these services according to the medical community, I believe that they have assist my children in growing and developing with more ease, and less restriction, which I am so grateful for!
The other night, my children asked for additional esoteric healing and cranial sacral treatments. While I was treating them, I realized I wanted to share some of my thoughts on a few of the Complimentary Healing Modalities that we use regularly, what they are, and how we use them because they are such a huge part of maintaining balance in our life.
To begin, I thought I would outline the different modalities we use and find helpful and if they are useful for fertility, conception, pregnancy, birth, infants, toddlers, children and adults parenting. My upcoming posts will outline more specific examples of how we have used the modalities and some of the results.
Treatment: Cranial Sacral Adjustments
When to use: For tune-ups, pregnancy, birth, infants upon birth, as your child is growing, if you have an accident, strained muscles, pinched nerves, etc.
Definition: Just as the heart beats and the lungs breathe with a rhythm, so does the central nervous system. This rhythm is present in all tissues of the body, every cell of the body, and bones of the cranium. The motion influences the body function. Osteopathic physicians use their hands to connect and assess motions of the body and structural dynamics. This technique is a subtly powerful way to address restrictions, initiate therapeutic responses and find health.
Treatment: Visceral Manipulation
When to use: For tune-ups, emotional issues, digestive disorders, pediatric issues, such as colic, reflux, constipation, musculoskeletal disorders, sports injuries, etc.
Definition: VM assists functional and structural imbalances throughout the body including musculoskeletal, vascular, nervous, urogenital, respiratory, digestive and lymphatic dysfunction. It evaluates and treats the dynamics of motion and suspension in relation to organs, membranes, fascia and ligaments. VM increases proprioceptive communication within the body, thereby revitalizing a person and relieving symptoms of pain, dysfunction, and poor posture.
Definition is provided by the Barral Institute
Treatment: Esoteric Healing
When to use: For physical, emotional, mental and spiritual balance. For pregnancy, infertility, birth and growth of children. For adults wishing to approach any personal or physical life situations from all levels.
Definition: This technique is applied to effect deep inner healing on all levels and is also used for release of trauma from past or present events. The sessions can be done with individuals, relationships, couples, and family. They are given energetically and intuitively in a safe and gentle way.
Esoteric Healing means deep inner healing. It is a "hands-off" system of treating the energy flow of the human body in order to promote health and balance. It is a way to access energies, emotions, and thoughts that may be hidden or unconscious, such as trauma and painful memories from life challenges, major life changes or even childhood. With Energy Healing, the release of these stored energies can be gentle and effective.
Balancing and integrating the flow of the physical, emotional, and mental energies are other key aspects of Energy Healing. When the energy flow is blocked or restricted, an imbalance occurs which may result in illness or disease. Stress and inner restrictions can be neutralized to support vitality and healing.
Definition is provided by Deborah Graham from “The International Network of Esoteric Healing”.
Treatment: Massage
When to use: For tune-ups, pregnancy, birth, infants, as your child is growing, if you have unbalance in your body, etc.
Definition: The purpose of massage is to restore your body back into its natural balance no matter what your reason is for seeking massage;
For someone who is always on the go massage will increase stamina, relieve stress and tension, alleviate headaches and increases productivity.
Or you may be an athlete looking to increase circulation, flexibility & mobility. Massage will also relieve muscle soreness and reduce recovery time.
Perhaps you are a mother-to-be; Massage will reduce anxiety, edema, muscle tension and stiffness all while increasing circulation.
Finally, do you just need to take time for yourself? Massage will improve your posture, enhance your self-image, and strengthen your immune system.
Treatment: Meditation
When to use: To find a time to be quiet each day, for all of life, for specific life situations, infertility, pregnancy, birth, to teach your children, shifts in the function of the brain, etc.
Definition: Meditation is generally an internal, personal practice and done without any external involvement, except perhaps
prayer beads to count prayers, though many practitioners of meditation may rely on external objects such as candle flames as points on which to focus their attention as an aid to the process. Meditation often involves invoking or cultivating a feeling or internal state, such as
compassion, or
attending to a specific focal point. The term can refer to the state itself, as well as to practices or techniques employed to cultivate the state. There are dozens or more specific styles of meditation practice; the word
meditation may mean different things in different contexts.
Definition provided by Wikipedia.
Treatment: Energy Medicine
When to use: For tune-ups, pregnancy, birth, infants upon birth, as your child is growing, if you have an accident, etc.
Definition: Energy Medicine awakens energies that bring vitality, joy, and enthusiasm to your life -- and greater health to your body, mind, and spirit! Balancing your energies balances your chemistry and hormones, helps you feel better, and helps you think well. And it empowers you to adapt and even flourish in the 21st century. Energy Medicine heals the body by activating its natural healing energies; you also heal the body by restoring energies that have become weak, disturbed, or out of balance. To accomplish this goal, energy medicine utilizes techniques from healing traditions such as acupuncture, yoga, kinesiology, and qi gong.
Definition is provided by Donna Eden at “Energy Medicine”.
Treatment: Acupuncture
When to use: For tune-ups, pregnancy, birth, infants upon birth, as your child is growing, if you have an accident, etc.
Definition: A method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and improve function based on the belief that good health depends on the entire body being in balance. This treatment is to assist with correction of the body’s imbalances (i.e.: disease, symptoms, etc.) by restoring the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Acupuncture can improve circulation, reduce muscle tension, relieve pain, and facilitate the release of endorphins, to name a few.
Treatment: Reiki
When to use: For tune-ups, pregnancy, birth, infants upon birth, as your child is growing, if you have an accident, etc.
Definition: A relaxation therapy for stress reduction and healing. Energy is channeled through and around the body, creating a feeling of peace and well-being. A practitioner’s hands move gently on or above the client in a series of placements from the head to the feet. No massaging takes place and the client is fully clothed.
Treatment: Functional Medicine
When to use: When you need diet and supplement support. Prior to conception, pregnancy, post birth, every day, for children when they begin to eat food.
Definition: Functional medicine is personalized medicine that deals with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of symptoms for mild to serious chronic disease. Functional medicine reviews core clinical imbalances that underlie various disease conditions. Those imbalances arise as environmental inputs such as diet, nutrients (including air and water), exercise, and trauma are processed by one’s body, mind, and spirit through a unique set of genetic predispositions, attitudes, and beliefs. The goal is to work with the patient and their doctors to adjust the lifestyle and way of living so they can be as balanced and natural as possible. Consultations can be simply for supplements, or handling more serious issues such as cardiovascular disease.
Definition provided by the Functional Medicine Institute.
What do you think about using Complimentary Healing Modalities? Have you used any of them? If so, have you had good experiences? If you have not used any of these, do you think they sound like they might be helpful in the future for you? If you have experience with any of these healing modalities, I would love to hear about it!
~Claire
