The Healing Switch

Ortho-Bionomy - a pain-free form of bodywork (developed from Osteopathy in the 1970s) realigns bones, ligaments, muscles, and fascia, allowing the body to self-correct and release pain naturally.

Deeply relaxing, deeply restorative!

It's natural for our bodies to go in & out of balance. This is what our bodies are constantly doing.

○ Our bodies 'notice' a massive amount of information via the senses and nervous system. Messages are sent back and forth from the brain to re-calibrate & adjust.

○ Sometimes this process get’s impaired (e.g due to an injury, misalignment of bones, wear & tear).

○ Using non-invasive techniques, I turn up the volume on the process of self correction, assisting the body to recognise changes that have occurred during a treatment.

○ The body has the capacity to 'know' what it determines as beneficial. By bringing attention and awareness to this 'knowing' not only are we deepening our relationship with our body, we are increasing the likelihood of clearing the way for self correction to kick in.

Extraordinary huh?!

Arthritis and/or inflammation in the thumb & fingers can sometimes happen as we get older. The effects of strain in the joints & overuse can start to show up. This week I've worked with a few people's thumbs (Arthritis) and the good news is there's been less pain for these people in the following days. Working gently with the joints leads to increased mobility and flow (blood, lymph etc) in and around the joints which can help to reverse arthritis. Here's a great self care video from friend & colleague Bruce Stark Ortho-Bionomy

Ortho-Bionomy self care exercises for hands Bruce Stark demonstrates Ortho-Bionomy self care for hands. Great for massage therapists.

Some physical patterns can be limiting. Once the body recognises patterns that are no longer useful, changes can arise.

At The Healing Switch I gently exaggerate tension patterns so the nervous system 'notices' and works out more effective ways for muscles & fascia to position themselves & to move.

The body begins to accesses it's unique & extra-ordinary self-corrective resources.

When tension patterns are released it can feel like a huge relief. During treatments people often speak of experiencing "a deep sense of relaxation" and the "pain disappearing". I often work with people who have pretty much given up. A common statement is 'I've tried everything". Two decades later, I'm still eternally grateful to have discovered this approach

Hope you're having a lovely time in this lush (for those in Sydney that is) weather

I went for a massive & challenging (very steep, rock climbing etc) walk yesterday in endlessly beautiful country. And even the 100th waratah still caused little spikes of joy! 😏

Last night I was reflecting on what a relief it is to feel strong and agile in my 60 year old legs. I thought I'd done irreparable damage to my knees & spine awhile ago... but this is not so!!🕺🏽

This is true but sometimes our bods need assistance in remembering how to access useful movement patterns.

Injuries, wear & tear, postural issues etc can trigger unhelpful movement patterns which can start to feel like a normal place to be.

Ps I found this quote in a book by Eric Franklin - highly recommend his work!

Helped some friends with flood recovery/mitigation last week - hard yakka! Was invited to join a yoga practice in this glorious, hand built, private yoga studio. Imagine having this in your backyard!!!

Loved moving to the tones of the local birds including a lyrebird running through its impressive repertoire.

One part of the river is now free of flood debris and sporting chunky retainer walls that'll hopefully 🤞🏻protect it from the next big weather event

There are many ways to create environments where change can happen.

A simple example is when someone holds another persons shoulder with hands that are intentional & open to information. Shoulder muscles in 'work' (or over work!) mode can clock off and relax because someone else is doing the holding. A little like a heavy bag has been lifted off the shoulder 👜💆‍♀️Phew!

At the same time the nervous system can settle which creates a sense of safety & support, allowing the body to start accessing it's ability to heal

Exaggerating a pattern (e.g. postural, movement preferences etc) spontaneously relaxes muscles spasms that might've been holding bones in less than helpful positions.

Try this counter intuitive way to address tension/tightness between your shoulder blades/mid back and see if you notice a change :)

Move your chin toward your chest (with no strain!)
Gently move the middle of your back backwards.
Keep shoulders above the hips.
Create a C shaped curve with your torso.
Hold this position for a comfortable 10-20 seconds, taking easy breaths.
Return to neutral, jiggle the torso lightly for a bit and notice what's changed.
This follows one of the principles in the body work I do - gently exaggerating holding patterns in the body so muscles complete the 'holding' action and let go ;)

Thanks Dr. Arielle Schwartz for this nervous system re-set. Give your good self some lovin ❤ on this first day of Spring (here in Oz that is!)

Vagus nerve stimulation points: ears and gentle acupressure Here are a few of my favorite go-to self-care practices to nourish the nervous system. In just a few minutes you can facilitate a state of ease…at least that...

Highly recommend this film and also the talks. A mountain of intelligence, support and information. Many of you have heard me talking about the role of the vagus nerve - check out this talk! 'Trauma and the Nervous System from the Polyvagal Theory Perspective' with Stephen W. Porges, & Dr. Gabor Maté.

And as always Resamaa gives us lots to chew on in 'Somatic Abolitionism: Nurturing Healing Communities' with Resmaa Menakem & Dr. Gabor Maté

Can our deepest pain be a doorway to healing? - Wisdom of Trauma Watch The Wisdom of Trauma Movie Premiere on June 8-14, Featuring DR. GABOR MATÉ Plus a 7-day teaching series on trauma with leading experts!

When muscles are over recruited i.e muscle fibres are being engaged more than they need to, residual tension can start to develop. This 'holding' can start to become the new normal.

I use techniques & principles to assist muscle fibres to let go and re-set. Among other things this can help conserve energy. Voila! Energy is now available for something else.

Also, when the muscle fibres let go, ligaments get a chance to do their natural job and reassert a pull on the joints which allows bones to realign. This can be experienced as a flood of wellbeing, deep relaxation, a sense of 'coming home''.

Sometimes the self corrective pathways within our nervous systems get interrupted or damaged due to injury, postural issues, chronic pain, repetitive overuse etc. In a treatment at The Healing Switch the body's corrective pathways are accessed.

Imbalances in the body causing pain & discomfort are addressed with gentle pain free adjustments to muscles, bones and fascia. Information via the nervous system facilitates the body to find it's own way towards healing.
During this process it's not unusual for the person on the table to ask "Is it supposed to be so relaxing?"
Ahhhh yes it is!! :)

Sometimes structural patterns that hinder and slow us down have been in place so long, the nervous system considers them to be normal. Once the nervous system is given new information it can reorganise towards more effective function.
Educate your body with an Ortho-Bionomy treatment and feel the difference it can make to your structure and function.