Feeling fear, pain, anxiety and even depression is a normal, human response to somethingyour brain – on a subconscious level – decides puts you in danger. This automatic stress response is very cleverly built into your physiology to keep you safe. The problem occurs when, in our modern world, the danger isn’t like running away from a bear, escaping and returning to a place of safety, no, often now we can’t escape the bear, we might live or have lived with the bear, the bear might take the shape of a toxic relationship with a family member or work colleague, …

Chronic Pain – Address the root cause Read More »

Mainstream healthcare says: “Let’s patch you up with drugs / surgery”. Somatic Therapy says: “Let’s explore your stress and emotional baggage so we can address your pain at the root cause”. Let’s revisit stress. Stress is an inevitable part of life, in moderation it is a good thing, stress motivates us and keeps life interesting. However, too much stress can prime your brain for chronic pain. This is because, the more your fight / flight response stays activated, the more sensitive your brain becomes to unpleasantness. Stressful events early in life (eg neglect, abuse, bullying) get compounded by stressors later …

Psychology affects Biology Read More »

I had an interesting experience this week! I spent most of last weekend inside doing a course, so I’d cleared some time on Monday because I knew I’d need to move my body and get outside. I felt like getting out for a run and I felt like taking a different route that was a bit longer than usual, so I headed out towards Upton Country Park for those that know it. There’s a path there that runs around the edge of Holes Bay which is a beautiful nature reserve full of water, mud, reeds and birds. Being a laid …

The Felt Sense Read More »

The @susanfindlaymassage Oncology Massage training course has been on my to do list for a long time so this weekend that’s what I’ve been immersed in and Wow to say I’m blown away is an understatement. Susan’s holistic approach to wellbeing will be music to the ears of anyone working with people having to navigate cancer or any chronic condition. Over the weekend we worked through Lung, Kidney, Prostate, Breast, Testicular, Brain, Oesophageal, Thyroid, Colon, Skin, Pancreatic and Leukaemia case study scenarios. We discussed myths and modifications and talked at length about the significance of nutrition, hydration, sleep and rest, …

Oncology Massage Read More »

A lovely exercise to demonstrate why healing from trauma needs to be approached from a foundation of safety and security; rather than head on: Make a fist with your left hand, and grip it tight. Then try and prose it apart, try to break the grip, whilst still maintaining the energy of the closed fist. You can’t do it. Now, take your left hand, still gripped in a fist, and place it in your cupped right hand. Notice how your hand feels. Notice how supported you feel, and notice what your left hand wants to do, does it want to …

Trauma and Safety Read More »

I’m still digesting the amazingness of this weekend! I attended the SIRPA Conference 2022 at the Royal Society of Medicine. Firstly, to meet Georgie Oldfield and the SIRPA practitioners I’ve spent so long seeing and chatting to online was so wonderful 😍 Then to meet and hear all of the speakers talk so passionately about their research was truly inspiring. I’m so excited to be a part of this community of people looking to raise awareness of the importance of understanding the up to date pain science so we can address the underlying causes of persistent pain rather than just …

SIRPA Conference 2022 Read More »

How can Embodied Processing help resolve your pain? Let’s revisit stress. Stress is an inevitable part of life, in moderation it is a good thing, stress motivates us and keeps life interesting. However, too much stress can prime your brain for chronic pain. This is because, the more your fight / flight response stays activated, the more sensitive your brain becomes to unpleasantness. Stressful events early in life (such as neglect, abuse, bullying etc) get compounded by stressors later in life (such as difficult relationships with coworkers or family, divorce, accidents etc). Multiple stressful events can result in chronic activation …

Embodied Processing and Chronic Pain Read More »

“People won’t remember what you said, they won’t remember what you did, but they will remember how you made them feel”. Maya Angelou Have you ever noticed how some people make you light up and others make you want to withdraw? Co-regulation is the way that the nervous system of one individual  influences the nervous system of another.  It’s how you make someone feel, without saying a word.  Interestingly (I think!) only mammals co regulate.  Mammals are the only organisms that stay in groups and require social engagement because for us that means increased chance of survival. Dogs are really good …

Co Regulation Read More »

When was the last time you had a good belly laugh? When we grow up we get busy, we focus on work and family commitments and forget to make time for pure fun. What’s more, when we do find ourselves with some leisure time, we’re more likely to switch off in front of the TV or computer than engage in fun, rejuvenating play like we did as children. But play is essential, and not just for kids! Too often, somewhere between childhood and adulthood, we stop playing. When it comes to play, there doesn’t need to be any point to …

Play time isn’t just for kids! Read More »

Great to see this research paper on the positive effects of ScarWork following surgery. This study involved people who had been through cancer related surgery. Results were impressive. Symptom improvements included reduced itching, frequency of discomfort and sensations of numbness. Patients also reported benefits including improved appearance, texture, mobility, well being and acceptance of scars. I have access to the full paper so please get in touch if you are interested to know more.