Body Memory
The body stores memories of trauma in the soft tissue. We may re-experience the sensations of our injuries when we are touched. Certain parts of our bodies may be tightly held, affecting our breath, structure and movement. When trauma occurs, the nervous system carries a message to the muscles to tighten. The traumatic experience becomes part of the body memory – a relationship between the fascia and the nervous system.
Fascia, a connective tissue, is the packing material of the body. Fascia envelopes the muscles, bones and joints, holds us together and maintains our structures unique pattern. The nervous system is a network of specialized cells (neurons) which, in it’s most basic form, receives information from the outside world, processes it and allows us to respond to the stimulus.
Ideally, if we have a traumatic experience, we process the information and can get on with our lives. Sometimes this information overwhelms the system and gets stuck. We may feel fear all the time, or perhaps our breath is shallow. The trauma becomes part of the body memory.
Rolfers use deep pressure through their hands to release chronic tensions within the fascia. As the tensions in the myofascia become more balanced, not only does alignment, breath and movement improve, but the nervous system has a chance to heal. As the muscles are released from their shortened state, the physical remnants of trauma are cleared. Rolfing or Structural Integration can help the nervous system to integrate the traumatic event.
Acupuncturists also work through the fascial system. Specifically, needles are inserted into points along energetic pathways called meridians. These pathways correspond to fascial junctions (where muscle joins with muscle or bone) and forms lines of stress within the soft tissue. Through these energetic pathways, acupuncturists work to regulate the nervous system and organ function. Acupuncture can also be used to regulate the tensional forces within the fascia and organize the structure. As the balance within the fascia and the nervous system are restored, body memories can shift and we can heal from trauma. Structural acupuncture is a relatively new practice, and David Frome is among the pioneers of this field.
In the healing arts, no one can erase traumatic experience, but we can create the opportunity for healing. At Frome Physical Therapy, we are committed to supporting you in Caring For Your Health. Call us now (973.509.8464 212.529.1901) or schedule online for your next appointment.
Spectacle Induced Trauma
As I dashed down the stairs I had the fleeting sense that the stairs looked funny, followed by the thought, “Oops, I should have taken my reading glasses off.” Suddenly my right ankle turned mercilessly under me and I plunged to the floor. I waited for the excruciating jab of pain to subside so that I could breathe again. When I did catch my breath, I wondered what the damage would be.
Sooner or later everyone has an injury, but I have always assumed that my role was to support those in need of healing! Now I was the one needing help.
I was in pain. The ligaments and tendons of my ankle were overstretched. Additionally, the muscles of my lower leg went into spasm. I received a Rolfing session soon after the accident. The Rolfing decreased my pain and hastened my recovery.
Muscles tend lock up to protect an injured area. It is the body’s way of limiting movement when trauma has occurred. Soft tissue injury results in painful muscle spasm and fascial shortening, which in turn creates pain, in a vicious cycle. Interrupting that pattern will hasten the healing process.
Initially, the Rolfer does not work directly on an inflamed joint. Instead, we choose to work on the surrounding areas, which reduces swelling, muscle spasm and joint stiffness. Rolfing facilitates the process of tissue repair even when the work is not directly applied to the injured area.
Over the next six weeks, the soft tissue and ligaments of the ankle gradually heal. As swelling goes down a sense of normalcy sets in.
However, with this healing there is a caveat. Your body forms its own natural connective tissue splint supporting and preventing further injury while the ankle is healing. Long after the original injury has healed this internal splint remains, inhibiting full mobility. We become chronically stiff.
We are not meant to live our lives post injury with parts of our bodies that have become mummified. This is where Rolfing does an amazing thing. Rolfing reestablishes the normal elasticity of the connective tissues, restoring mobility and circulation to the area. Rolfing removes this internal splint.
Does hobbling around on a sprained ankle affect the rest of your body? You bet. The whole body tries to compensate for the imbalanced movement pattern of the foot and ankle. The Rolfer restores the alignment and biomechanics to each joint so that your entire structure is singing again.
Rolfing helps to restore the breath and calms the nervous system. Mobility is your birthright. You deserve to breathe deeply and to move with ease. So, don’t hesitate to call us if you slip on a banana peel. For help with tapping your potential call us at 973.509.8464 or book online to schedule an appointment.
By Rebekah Frome • Physical Therapy, Rolfing • • Tags: ankle sprain, connective tissue, myofascia, pain due to spasm, structural integration, swelling, tissue repair, trauma