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Breathing, Bodywork & Pain
A newly released study by Alex Zautra, PhD (Pain, 2009) at the University of Arizona suggests that slow deep breathing can reduce both intensity and unpleasantness of pain.
Do you incorporate breathing or movement enhancers during bodywork sessions?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Erik Dalton, Ph.D. on
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What is surprising is how little the relationship of breathing and pain has been studied. This appears to be the first study comparing the impact of slow breathing among healthy individuals and among subjects with chronic pain.
Throughout history, humans have embraced the idea that breath control--through yoga, mediation, music, martial arts, and other activities can help regulate human body sensations but never has science been able to track it on a functional MRI computer screen. This study has major implications that may help scientists open the door for further investigations into how the brain processes pain such as fibroymyalgia.
But my question is: "Are therapists using breathing or other client-activated movements to reduce pain during sessions?
Myoskeletal Alignment incorporates active movement 'enhancers' not only as a neurological tool via muscle spindles/GTOs, but also to lower sympathetic tone, i.e., down-regulate the CNS and slow breathing patterns. What works for you?
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Yes, Rick...I recall our old NLP blog...can't beat that stuff for psychologically lowering sympathetic tone and slowing altered (up-regulated) breathing patterns. Of course...in conjunction with good bodywork...thx pal.
Rick Britton said:Hi Erik, great to hear from you! Actually used your newsletter to show someone Upper Crossed syndrome today hehe. Great stuff
Anyway, I use lots of breath control during sessions. Firstly as you probaly remember I am inducing deep trance during the work (Bandler style) and use the pace, pace lead model to slow the clients' breath. Secondly, I ask them to 'in your minds eye, draw your breath to the point where I am working.... and hold it, now breathe out and let go of everything..' I synchronise pace and depth of breathing with the client, the depth and pace of strokes and releases and synchronise the tone, pace and intonation of my voice. Combined with hypnotic language and embedded commands it allows deep unconscious relaxation.
I find this work very powerful, using the breath in trance, whilst performing MFR, MET, MAT, positional release and so on. Generating a strong mind-body-breath connection can have profound effects.
I also teach deep breathing as part of the rehab exercises I give (I use a lot of qi gong because i can get them to buy into the breathing aspect easily).
The majority of my clients are from that chronic pain group that i explained on the other thread. Most have never experienced this kind of multi-facted healing approach... and the breathing part is fundamental. Great to know that is also helping reduce pain in its own right.
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Permalink Reply by Lynn Mann on
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How well do you like qigong? We are having a semiar for Ceu's. Not really familiar with it . what your intake on it. .
Rick Britton said:Hi Erik, great to hear from you! Actually used your newsletter to show someone Upper Crossed syndrome today hehe. Great stuff Anyway, I use lots of breath control during sessions. Firstly as you probaly remember I am inducing deep trance during the work (Bandler style) and use the pace, pace lead model to slow the clients' breath. Secondly, I ask them to 'in your minds eye, draw your breath to the point where I am working.... and hold it, now breathe out and let go of everything..' I synchronise pace and depth of breathing with the client, the depth and pace of strokes and releases and synchronise the tone, pace and intonation of my voice. Combined with hypnotic language and embedded commands it allows deep unconscious relaxation.
I find this work very powerful, using the breath in trance, whilst performing MFR, MET, MAT, positional release and so on. Generating a strong mind-body-breath connection can have profound effects.
I also teach deep breathing as part of the rehab exercises I give (I use a lot of qi gong because i can get them to buy into the breathing aspect easily).
The majority of my clients are from that chronic pain group that i explained on the other thread. Most have never experienced this kind of multi-facted healing approach... and the breathing part is fundamental. Great to know that is also helping reduce pain in its own right.
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Practiced it for a couple years in the 90s and really loved the way it made me feel. Really improves proprioception. Hope your workshop goes well Lynn...
Lynn Mann said:How well do you like qigong? We are having a semiar for Ceu's. Not really familiar with it . what your intake on it. .
Rick Britton said:Hi Erik, great to hear from you! Actually used your newsletter to show someone Upper Crossed syndrome today hehe. Great stuff Anyway, I use lots of breath control during sessions. Firstly as you probaly remember I am inducing deep trance during the work (Bandler style) and use the pace, pace lead model to slow the clients' breath. Secondly, I ask them to 'in your minds eye, draw your breath to the point where I am working.... and hold it, now breathe out and let go of everything..' I synchronise pace and depth of breathing with the client, the depth and pace of strokes and releases and synchronise the tone, pace and intonation of my voice. Combined with hypnotic language and embedded commands it allows deep unconscious relaxation.
I find this work very powerful, using the breath in trance, whilst performing MFR, MET, MAT, positional release and so on. Generating a strong mind-body-breath connection can have profound effects.
I also teach deep breathing as part of the rehab exercises I give (I use a lot of qi gong because i can get them to buy into the breathing aspect easily).
The majority of my clients are from that chronic pain group that i explained on the other thread. Most have never experienced this kind of multi-facted healing approach... and the breathing part is fundamental. Great to know that is also helping reduce pain in its own right.
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Permalink Reply by Gloria Coppola on
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Absolutely!
Indigenous healers have been using it for centuries too!
Breath is integral in healing - more than just relaxing.
The breath open can release can open, move energy through and heal.
Movement enhancers? Yes - also very good to include R.O.M., other movement techniques. People seem
to love and respond , especially when combined with some stretching.
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Permalink Reply by Las Vegas Massage In Summerlin on
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Hey Erik!
A Zen master once asked his student, "What is the most important thing in Life?" "Truth, Master," the youth replied, without hesitation. The Master grabbed the young man's head and plunged it into a tub of water, where he held it for several moments. As the Master allowed the student to emerge, gasping for Breath, it became perfectly clear what is the most important thing in Life!
I recommend breathing exercises to just about all clients that have one ailment or another. For those that want a massage just for the massage, not so much.
In my humble opinion, correct breathing takes time and practice. It's something I mention and demonstrate over and over to clients to keep them going.
I learned my breathing techniques in martial arts (Aikido) not massage.
Sunday is "Self Care" day around our house, breathing exercises and meditation being a bit part. Hope everyone has an excellent Sunday!
Here's a link to some examples and descriptions of our breathing and meditation exercises:
Massage Therapist Self Care - Breathing Techniques
Kris
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Good feedback Kris. That's what I love about all the martial arts....help us get centered through breath and concentration.
Kris Kelley said:~
Hey Erik!
A Zen master once asked his student, "What is the most important thing in Life?" "Truth, Master," the youth replied, without hesitation. The Master grabbed the young man's head and plunged it into a tub of water, where he held it for several moments. As the Master allowed the student to emerge, gasping for Breath, it became perfectly clear what is the most important thing in Life!
I recommend breathing exercises to just about all clients that have one ailment or another. For those that want a massage just for the massage, not so much.
In my humble opinion, correct breathing takes time and practice. It's something I mention and demonstrate over and over to clients to keep them going.
I learned my breathing techniques in martial arts (Aikido) not massage.
Sunday is "Self Care" day around our house, breathing exercises and meditation being a bit part. Hope everyone has an excellent Sunday!
Here's a link to some examples and descriptions of our breathing and meditation exercises:
Massage Therapist Self Care - Breathing Techniques
Kris
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