Overview

Topics:

• The Web of Life
• Personal Empowerment & the Power of Choice
• Teamwork
• Evaluation & Treatment Model
• Primary Tools/Modalities
• Defining ‘Gentle’
• Referrals to Other Practitioners
• Links to Related Information

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.

Links to Related Information

My Commitment to Patients
Results (Testimonials)
FAQ
Dr. Dane’s Bio
All About Pain
The Chiropractic Model
CranioSacral Therapy & Chiropractic

Dr. Dane’s Practice

My Commitment to Clients

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

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

My job is to be a general support person, part detective/doctor, part manual therapist-healer, part coach, part cheerleader, part magician and part fool (laughter helps the healing process

Your job is to care for yourself and follow my suggestions as well as you can, given your life circumstances, and to at least consider making some new choices if your circumstances are undermining your well-being.

My commitments to you, as part of your health care team, are:
•    To be worthy of your trust, to the best of my ability, as a doctor and fellow traveler on life’s journey.
•    To listen well to you and your body, giving you my complete attention during our time together.
•    To tell you when I think we need another opinion, or expertise I don’t have, and to offer an appropriate referral.
•    To work with your existing health care team (if you wish), to the extent they are open and available, to further your best interest.
•    To respect your right to confidentiality.
•    To hold and respect your interests, beliefs and well-being equally to my own.
•    To maintain good professional boundaries and to respect yours, without sacrificing human warmth and friendship.
•    To remember the Golden Rule.
•    Ιf I should fail in any of the above, to readily acknowledge I’ve made a mistake.

Sincerely,
Dr. Dane

Dr. Dane’s Bio

Dane began his health care career in California as a massage therapist and body worker in 1974.  He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Logan College of Chiropractic in 1982, and had his own office in Bloomington, Minnesota for 7 years.

He then taught at Northwestern College of Chiropractic for 10 years before returning to private practice.  During his tenure at Northwestern, he was certified in Acupuncture and earned an advanced certification in Diagnosis and Internal Disorders.

Over the years, he has studied CranioSacral Therapy, Lymphatic Drainage, Visceral Manipulation (gentle work with the organs and other soft tissues), Interactive Guided Imagery, and SomatoEmotional Release  through the Upledger Institute.

He and his wife, Ariel, left Minnesota in 2003, eventually landing in Ashland, OR in 2005.  Dane was recently licensed as a chiropractor in Oregon, and has returned to private practice.

Dane has been a long-time student of personal and spiritual growth, and has been an ordained minister with the interfaith Universal Brotherhood since 1998.  He has had a growing interest in empowering others in the area of health and well-being for over 35 years.

Learning from his own experience and his work with clients has led him to a deeper understanding of stress; its causes & effects, and how it can be diminished naturally –and used as an effective tool for growth.  He feels that stress plays a huge role in causing and perpetuating all the major health problems we face today.

Dane has published several articles on health and well-being, including The Art of Being Your Own Best Friend, which has helped many people re-evaluate their priorities.  He has taught classes for massage & physical therapists, authored a personal & spiritual growth course called Four Steps to Transformation with an accompanying CD of Transformational Meditations, and led workshops in its practice.  He is currently working on a DVD entitled Enduring Peace, to facilitate heart-centered awareness, relaxation, stress-reduction and personal growth.

He loves Nature’s beauty and mystery and has studied nature photography since 1968.  You can visit his on-line gallery here: http://www.inner-light-images.com  He currently resides in Ashland, Oregon with his wife, Ariel.

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