Overview

May 18, 2009 by Dr Dane
Filed under Overview

The Head Bone’s Connected to. . .

You’re probably familiar with the concept of the “Web of Life.” It refers to the vast relationship of all the plants, animals, earth, water and air surrounding us. There is also an intricate web within our bodies. Every cell and tissue is interconnected and interdependent with the whole.

How it all works together to create the symphony of a human life remains a mystery and a miracle. This miracle of the human body, and the Spirit that animates it, deserve to be honored and respected. That is part of my job – and yours, too, because if you don’t, who will? You’re the most important player on your team!

Personal Empowerment & the Power of Choice

I believe that your most powerful healing resources are actually within you. I’ll be supporting you in accessing these inner resources through articles on this site, and classes locally in Ashland, OR.

You’ll find any healing program you’re engaged in to be more beneficial when you incorporate these simple self-care techniques in your daily life. This builds self-reliance, and you’ll feel better, too.

Using the Power of Choice to Create Health or Disease
Every day, moment by moment, we make hundreds of choices. Some are conscious decisions, while many are non-conscious and automatic. Some are inconsequential, while others may determine when your body dies, and what it dies from.

We choose what we put in our mouths, and whether we exercise or not. Equally important, we choose the thoughts we repeat over and over in our minds. We choose to say “Yes” or “No” to commitments that will demand our time and energy. We choose to take good care of ourselves, or to set aside our basic needs for more “urgent” matters.

Science has now proven that our choices have a huge influence on which genes are turned on, and which are turned off. The old paradigm that genetic inheritance determines your fate is transforming before our eyes.

It is now known that we can, through our personal choices, largely determine whether or not genes related to a particular disease will turn on and express themselves, or turn off and remain dormant.

This is the most empowering news coming from scientific research that I’ve heard in my lifetime, and I want to share it with you – if you’re interested, that is.

Teamwork is Important

I see my relationship with those who come to me as a sacred trust, between two human beings, to work toward mutually defined and agreed-upon goals.

I like to establish our main goals in the first visit or two, ensure that they’re achievable, and find out how I can best support you in manifesting them.

Sometimes lifestyle changes are needed to pave the way, and I can help you with that if you feel ready for it. If you’re not, then we’ll do our best without it. I will not push anything on you that you don’t feel ready to meet.

I consider us to be partners in your health, each with our own responsibilities:

My job is to be a support person, part detective/doctor, part manual therapist-healer, part guide, part coach, part cheerleader, part magician and part fool (laughter helps the healing process
Your job is to show up for your visits, care for yourself and follow my suggestions as well as you can, given your life circumstances. If your circumstances are undermining your well-being, I will encourage you to at least explore the possibility of making some new choices. After that, it’s your call.

We will achieve the best results for you when we’re both committed and doing our parts.

Evaluation & Treatment Model

This is a huge topic, so I’ll keep it as brief as I can and save the long-winded version for another article.

There is always more to a health problem than meets the eye! Symptoms (like pain, restricted joints, fatigue etc), are an expression of something out of balance. Any particular symptom is usually the result of several “hidden factors,” in addition to the obvious one. Hidden factors elude standard exam tests, and require specialized training to locate and treat. See CranioSacral Therapy, Lymph Drainage Therapy and Visceral Therapy for three of the most common factors I assess for.

You are far more likely to achieve lasting results when these hidden factors are checked for and brought back into balance. Indeed, if you have a long-standing problem, it may be the only way you will get the lasting improvement you’re looking for.

To the best of my understanding, all health problems are created by the interplay of four broad areas of influence. They are:
• Mental, Emotional & Spiritual
• Physical Structure & Function
• Nutritional/Biochemical
• Environmental

With complicated cases, possibilities can be narrowed down considerably with a good health history, a questionnaire or two, a specialized exam, perhaps some lab tests, and sometimes a referral (two heads might be better than one).

Primary Tools/Modalities

Out of the dozens of therapeutic models I’ve studied over the years, these are my primary tools, and the most effective ones (click on a link to see a detailed overview & description):
• CranioSacral Therapy
• Lymphatic Drainage and Articular Rhythm
• Gentle Visceral Organ Release & Balancing
• Applied Kinesiology & Food Allergy Testing
• PSYCH-K (for Re-writing Limiting Beliefs)
• Chiropractic Adjusting
• Nervous System Integration (Neurolink)
• Active Release Muscle Therapy
• Somatics (Muscle Relaxation & Re-Education)
• Interactive Guided Imagery
• Energy Clearing/Healing
• Nutrition, Herbs & Flower Essences
• Standard and Advanced LabTesting
• And more . . .

Defining ‘Gentle’

My emphasis is on gentle, unless someone specifically requests more forceful work. However, I will give a forceful therapy (with the client’s permission) when I feel the tissues are adequately prepared, and ready to receive and make use of it. Please note that I do not offer “quick cracks” to people in a hurry.

Within this framework, careful chiropractic adjustments are given when appropriate, with the client’s permission.

Gentle work is welcomed by the body, which can tell in an instant whether or not a practitioner’s hands know what they’re doing and will respect it’s limits.

There is usually an unconscious, subtle tightening or guarding if too much force is used, which may reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. In some cases, it may even result in harm.

“Gentle” is a relative term, so let me offer you two definitions:

Except for 3 techniques (most Adjustments, Active Release, and Nerve Mobilization) the amount of force in my work ranges from about 5 grams (the weight of a nickel) to a few ounces (a cup of water).

If the pressure feels like too much for you, it’s too much, regardless of how light it is (no extra points for suffering). But no one’s ever complained about the nickel!

People (including myself) are always amazed at how much can be accomplished with a light touch.

However, some people don’t respond to the gentle work and request deeper therapies. No problem – as long as I feel their body is ready, I’ll go with what works.

Referrals to Other Practitioners

While I have many skills and a good bit of knowledge, I don’t have all the answers. There are times when we need another person on the team, and it’s time to make a referral.

No single model is right for everyone, and no doctor can be an expert in everything. If you or I feel we’re missing a piece of the puzzle, or if you want a different approach altogether, I’ll help you arrange a consultation with a good practitioner who should be able to meet that need.

This will usually be a practitioner whom I’ve met personally, and may have experienced their work, or at least have a good knowledge of their areas of expertise.