No one wants to experience trauma, however, as we progress through life, it seems inevitable. As I think back throughout my life, I can recall numerous traumatic events - some worse than others: untimely deaths, devastating tornadoes (yes, more than one). Experiencing trauma often causes us to detach from our emotions as we exist in a "fight or flight" response. Over time, these experiences can result in physical pain.
My path to bodywork came as a result of pain induced from a traumatic event. I realized, while sitting on a couch on an exposed subfloor of my brother's house that was annihilated by an F5 tornado, that I was in excruciating pain. I was also aware enough to note that this pain was most likely a result of the emotion of this tragedy. The first thing I did upon returning home was to schedule a massage. Pain eliminated. It wasn't long until this correlation (emotion, pain, relief through massage) prompted me to pursue massage therapy school.
After seven years of practicing massage therapy, I found my way to a John F. Barnes' seminar series on Myofascial Release. Barnes' work demonstrates that traumatic events cause individuals to detach from emotion. Emotion then is stored in the gelatinous structure in the fascia leading to restrictions, and eventually, pain. Myofascial Release works to release these restrictions allowing for a reduction or elimination of pain. It is common for clients to experience emotion as the releases are occurring. This work is amazing and it is quickly becoming 95% of what I do in bodywork.
One month ago, tragedy struck my former hometown in Kansas. The event that took place in this town was traumatic on so many different levels and it will take time for healing to occur.
