Frequently asked questions...
Depending on which modalities we are using, there will be some variation in the experience. Dress comfortably and be prepared to be shoeless in some cases. The somatic exercises are less familiar to most people. It feels slower-paced than other modalities. Posture therapy and corrective exercise will feel familiar to you if you have ever done exercises advised by a physical therapist or personal trainer.
Virtual sessions make sense if you have a device with a working camera, mic, and audio and you have a well-lit space where I can view you performing the exercises, often lying on your back on the floor, on a yoga mat. Virtual classes are live, not recorded videos.
No. Not directly. There are many reasons that we can experience pain in our bodies. Psychological or emotional trauma is one reason. Some somatic modalities do focus on the processing of emotional trauma, which may manifest as physical pain in the body but that is not the orientation of my services. The somatic modality that I offer is oriented toward pain in the body as a result of unhealthy sitting, standing, or other repetitive positions and movements, and as residual pain from accidents/injuries that were not completely resolved through a medical approach.
Although it has “exercise” in the name, I think of Clinical Somatic Exercise as opposite-exercise. It is not “like” other forms of exercise. It is not like yoga, Pilates, cross-training, aerobic classes, or stretching. It is its own thing. You won’t sweat, lift weights, do a lot of sets, or need much equipment, if any, to perform it.
It is a collection of gentle movements that are performed with intention in a slow and controlled manner. The result is a draining of chronic muscle tension which allows oxygenation and natural and healthy use of your musculature. Then, these muscles will no longer be pulling your bones out of their ideal position. These movements that you actively and intentionally perform retrain your neuromuscular pathways to operate through a fuller range of motion that they were designed to. It is a little bit like getting a clean slate on your muscle function and pain levels.
It is ideally done on a yoga mat on the floor. A bed would be too soft, and the bare floor is too uncomfortable for most people. Just about everything can be done with just simply a yoga mat.
Somatic exercises can make more of your body available to you so that you can improve your execution of other activities such as yoga, Pilates, Barre, spin, running, dance, soccer, rugby, and playing with your kids or grandchildren.
Yes. Clinical Somatic Exercise and postural rehabilitation can help every person. This is because we all use our bodies in ways that cause dysfunction, chronic muscle tension, and pain. Examples of this are: Auto or other accidents, extended periods of sitting improperly for computer work or television time, overuse of a body zone due to dominant handedness or repetitive motions, and positions as a result of hobbies, athletics, or work. These are the most common causes of chronic pain.
The most common feelings experienced may include:
· The reduction or absence of pain
· Reduction or absence of tension
· A smoothness of your baseline muscle perception
· More comfort as you execute everyday body functions such as sitting, standing, walking, lying down, getting up from a seated position, climbing stairs, and bending over
· The ability to do things with less or no pain that you haven't been able to do before or for a long time such as dancing, running, gym workouts, yoga or Pilates classes, or soccer
As with any exercise or other use of the body, you may feel the following effects as your body undergoes changes to improve its condition. Most people don't but it is possible:
· Muscle fatigue
· Muscle tenderness
· Muscle spasm during exercise execution as you address a vulnerable muscle
· Soreness, or discomfort in new areas or muscles, as your body adjusts to its "new" condition
The above effects may not be felt by all people, and they would be temporary. If Clinical Somatic Exercises are performed effectively and the above effects are part of your experience, they are evidence that your body is changing and starting to work in a healthier way by being less reliant on the patterns that cause you pain. When functional parts of your body have been out of use, it can feel strange or even sore to start getting the use or sensation back. You just need to give your body some time to adjust.
No. Clinical Somatic Exercise and postural therapy are not considered medical treatments, and I am not a medical provider so, insurance will not take me. If you have a new injury that may require medical treatment, you should see a doctor to confirm the medical model can do nothing for you or to engage in a medical treatment plan until you are "released from care". I do not diagnose medical conditions.
Regarding Clinical Somatic Exercise:
If you execute the movements correctly, it is possible to feel relief after one correct execution. Most people report feeling some immediate improvement and increasing relief and improved motor function with ongoing practice.
If you continue to engage in habits that reinforce or exacerbate your pain during the early stage of Clinical Somatic Exercise, such as jogging, gardening, working in a seated position for many hours at a time, or gaming on the computer for extended hours, your relief may be perceived as less either by percentage or by duration of relief.
Regarding postural rehabilitation:
Every person brings unique factors to the table so the schedule of improvements vary. While some improvements may be felt or seen soon after beginning a postural rehabilitation curriculum, most people feel a significant difference in their "new normal" at about the 3 month mark when their program adherence has been 4 or more days of at-home practice per week. This type of program is best supported by once weekly private sessions with me. (That's about 12 sessions)