Elevate Health Physical Therapy & Holistic Wellness

Thanks to those of you who shared and expressed interest in my Online Mind-Body Skills Group offering. I have decided to hold off on offering this group until the Fall when hopefully more people who have shared they would like to participate are available to join. Also, life at home in our family has included many weeks and months of interrupted sleep which is catching up with me and is truly hindering my ability to show up for something like this right now. Here's hoping things turn around soon and my kid's brains & bodies learn how to sleep a bit better so I feel whole and human again! Thanks for understanding.

Rachel has recently completed her training in Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) & is excited to bring her new improved knowledge & skills to her clients!

Pain Reprocessing Therapy is an evidence-based program for the treatment for chronic & persistent pain. Rooted in neuroscience, it "aims to rewire neural pathways in the brain in order to deactivate pain". It has been hugely helpful for many people around the country and the greater world.

To learn more about PRT specifically, visit www.painreprocessingtherapy.com

For inquiries about a visit or further questions, please reach out to Rachel at [email protected]. She is eager to hear from you!

I would love to have YOU in my upcoming group! Please see back to previous posts and my website (link in bio) for more information.

If you or someone you know is considering registering for our upcoming Online Mind-Body Skills Group, now is the time to do so as registration will be closing on Wednesday, March 9th.

Please refer to previous posts and my website (https://www.elevatehealthmqt.com/workshops-mind-body-skills-groups) for more information and to register.

I am happy to answer any questions that come up, so please reach out!

--Rachel

Road trip reads.

I still plan on sharing more about the polyvagal theory and how I deeply feel that having an understanding of it can and will positively influence our lives as individuals and as a community. For now, though, my time for creating content is just so limited and I really want to do a good job at explaining it for you all.

So, for now, if you’re interested in learning more, this could be a good place to start. Deb Dana, LCSW does a fantastic job of explaining the theory (which, to describe it in a phrase, would be the science of safety), how to recognize patterns/nervous system states in your own life, and how to anchor firmly into the safe and social state.

Understanding this work has forever changed how I look at my own behavior and other’s around me and has afforded me that much more empathy for others and validation for myself.

I know my posts are extremely sporadic (that’s life with two kids under three), but I will commit to sharing more soon, so please be on the lookout!

I am a perpetual learner. Especially when it comes to all things chronic pain and stress. Especially because the latest research and evidence to appropriate chronic pain treatment is so encouraging.

I am nerding out big-time this week as I began training in Pain Reprocessing Therapy. I plan to bring this work (on a greater scale than what I have been thus far) to my practice and CANNOT WAIT to work with some of you using this approach.

Chronic pain is not a life sentence. Complete resolution is possible! I am here to walk alongside you in your recovery. ☺️

Only one month until our 8 week online Mind-Body Skills Group begins! Sign up today and invite a friend to join you!

Spots are still available and I would simply love to share space with you as we learn about various mind-body skills and learn more about ourselves in the process.

Want more information? Visit www.elevatehealthmqt.com (under the services tab).

Looking forward to seeing some of you (virtually) in a month!

-Rachel Skaw of Elevate Health

We have Dr. Stephen Porges' Polyvagal theory to thank for the understanding of this tried and true tool.

By lengthening your exhale, you are activating the vagus nerve, which provides access to a safe and social (ventral vagal) state.

If you find yourself feeling anxious or activated, try this out. Lengthen and slow your exhale (even better if it's through pursed lips as if you're blowing out of a straw). If you are speaking, slow your words and take fewer breaths. Your nervous system will shift toward a state of calm. Blood will be shunted to the parts of your brain that are important for problem solving, present moment awareness, and the parts that allow for social engagement with others.

If a slower, longer exhale is calming, you can imagine that the opposite is also true. A more rapid, chaotic breath is dysregulating and can be sensed as a threat to our bodies and nervous systems. It can sometimes to helpful to breathe in this way to see how your body responds for the sake of comparison.

While breathing can sometimes be downplayed, it is SUCH a powerful tool. Even better, it's free and available to us in ANY MOMENT.

Please share if you feel called to do so!

You guys! The Center for Mind-Body Medicine, which is where I received my training, offers many free webinars and other resources for Coronavirus Stress & Trauma. Check them out at the link below!

https://cmbm.org/webinar/coronavirus/

Our 8-Week ONLINE Mind-Body Skills Group will begin on Wednesday, March 16th, 2022. This is the group format offered through The Center for Mind Body Medicine which is where Rachel received her training.

For more information and to register, please visit:
https://www.elevatehealthmqt.com/workshops-mind-body-skills-groups

What are people saying about these groups that Rachel facilitates?
"After participating in Rachel's Mind/body series - I find myself with new tools to navigate feelings of overwhelm. I was introduced to different meditation techniques, writing expression and movement. I laughed, cried and left feeling lighter. Thank you for being a part of my journey, Rachel!" - LD

Our 8-Week ONLINE Mind-Body Skills Group will begin on Wednesday, March 16th, 2022. This is the group format offered through The Center for Mind Body Medicine which is where Rachel received her training.

For more information and to register, please visit:
https://www.elevatehealthmqt.com/workshops-mind-body-skills-groups

What are people saying about these groups that Rachel facilitates?

"Thank you, Rachel, for bringing this group together, and for facilitating so wisely and beautifully." - CL

Our 8-Week ONLINE Mind-Body Skills Group will begin on Wednesday, March 16th, 2022. This is the group format offered through The Center for Mind Body Medicine which is where Rachel received her training.

For more information and to register, please visit:
https://www.elevatehealthmqt.com/workshops-mind-body-skills-groups

What are people saying about these groups that Rachel facilitates?

"These classes were very helpful, providing a wealth of information, as well as practical training in exercises designed to maximize health of body, mind, and spirit, such as breathing, various forms of meditation, mindful eating, expressive writing, and more. Rachel is a passionate, yet gentle and encouraging teacher. The classes afforded each member the opportunity to share their experience as each new practice was learned. The framework for sharing was completely non-threatening, so that all of the participants felt heard and affirmed. I feel as if I came away from the class a healthier person, with a variety of tools I can use to deal with-and perhaps even overcome—my chronic pain. I highly recommend this series of classes!" - DV

Our 8-Week ONLINE Mind-Body Skills Group will begin on Wednesday, March 16th, 2022. This is the group format offered through The Center for Mind Body Medicine which is where Rachel received her training. For more information and to register, please visit:
https://www.elevatehealthmqt.com/workshops-mind-body-skills-groups

What are people saying about these groups that Rachel facilitates?

"I highly recommend this Mind-Body skills class. Rachel is an excellent teacher and fantastic group leader. I have learned so much and the skills I have learned are helping me on a daily basis. You will be amazed at what you learn in just 8 weeks!" - JG

Friends!

I will be offering and facilitating an 8-week Mind-Body Skills Group online via Zoom on Wednesday evenings from 7-9 PM EST beginning in March 16th. The cost is $200.

This is an opportunity to meet in a small group (up to 10 individuals) to learn & practice mind-body skills such as meditation, guided imagery, autogenics, expressive writing, etc.. These skills have been shown to reduce stress and help to regulate our autonomic nervous systems to help us feel more comfortable and safe in our bodies. It is a safe space to share our experiences. Past participants have found the group format very helpful in building a sense of community, which is something that has been lacking for many of us through the pandemic.

For more information and to register, please visit:
https://www.elevatehealthmqt.com/workshops-mind-body-skills-groups

After the many stressors that have fallen upon us over these last two years, let this be a way to help return home to yourself.

I would love it if you could share this post with someone who you feel may benefit from learning these skills (ALL OF US!) or on your own feed. Thank you in advance!

-Rachel

Rachel and her family are thrilled to (belatedly) share that the newest member of the Skaw Family, Mya Lois, arrived at the end of October 2021. She is already 12 weeks old and couldn't be more loved. Stay tuned for more details about Rachel's eventual and gradual return to seeing clients at BeWell Marquette as well as information about an upcoming Mind-Body Skills Group offering!

Photo Credit: Jody Grundstrom Photography

Our family will be adding a new member soon! For this reason, Elevate Health will be on a pause in business until further notice.

I will still be available to answer questions & provide resources. If you are a past client, know that you can email me at any time and I will be sure to respond to you within a reasonable amount of time.

I continue to be passionate about this work, but feel it's necessary to take time to bond with this baby & adjust to life as a family of four.

Thank you for your understanding! Sending love to you all during this autumn season.

-Rachel

PHOTO CREDIT: Lahti Photography

It's hard to believe that I began seeing clients one year ago today! I am beyond grateful for the love and support that I have received along the way. My clients are incredible and fill my cup over and over again. Here's to many more years in this wonderful community!

Shaking & dancing is a well-loved form of expressive meditation in our Mind-Body Skills Groups! Have you tried it before?

When things are feeling particularly heavy, it’s even more important to incorporate moments of throughout the day.

Expressive meditation is a great way to release because it’s physical, and Shaking and Dancing is one of our favorite expressive meditations. Try it next time you take a break, or for a few minutes after work.

Check out our website for a quick and easy tutorial! https://cmbm.org/thetransformation/resources/

Please, please, please - believe this! Persistent pain is NOT a necessary part of life and it's not something that should just be "managed". If you are feeling stuck with pain that is persisting - please reach out! I am extremely passionate about helping people like YOU improve their quality of life by reducing/eliminating chronic pain FOR GOOD. Visit my website at www.elevatehealthmqt.com for more information!

Sharing this again in case someone needs this reminder today.

Can you imagine? It can become YOUR reality. Want to learn more? Reach out or visit my website at www.elevatehealthmqt.com.

It's true! Beyond managing pain, our nervous systems have the capacity to significantly reduce or eliminate persistent pain. Dr. Howard Schubiner's book, "Unlearn Your Pain", is a fabulous place to start to learn more and begin the unlearning. If you are someone who does better with face-to-face learning and sharing, I am available for sessions! Message me or visit my website at www.elevatehealthmqt.com for more information. Thanks!

Persistent pain does not need to be dictating your life. If this is happening to you, please reach out!

Happy 4th of July!

You are!

Have a fabulous holiday weekend, my friends!