During treatment

At Soulfood Healing, the main style of treatment used is John F. Barnes Myofascial Release because of the amazing results on people with pain issues. Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage are utilized as well for overall soreness, relaxation and detoxification. CranioSacral Therapy and Reiki are also a part of my toolbox. After a thorough assessment we will discuss which treatment option (or combination) is appropriate for your individual needs. For more information, see techniques.

On your first visit, a standard medical history form is to be filled out. Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow yourself time to complete this form without being rushed. A postural assessment and motion testing is done on the first visit and at sequential visits when needed. This allows the therapist to notice visual imbalances in the body due to the pull of the fascial restrictions.

This style of treatment is a WHOLE body therapy. The areas of the body that are treated are not always the areas of pain. Due to the interconnectedness of the fascial system, restrictions in other areas of the body can relate to your symptoms and must be addressed for long lasting healing to occur.

The therapist always needs to work directly on the skin so most clients simply wear their undergarments or you can bring comfortable clothing to be treated in like gym shorts and for women a bra/bathing suit top/tank top if you wish. You will be securely covered with a sheet throughout the treatment, only the areas being worked on will be uncovered. Also, please refrain from applying body lotion on treatment day, as that makes it difficult to maintain good traction.

During the treatment, the therapist often asks the client to be aware of the changes and sensations of their body. This aids in the release process and increases the progress of the whole treatment. Since the fascia is interconnected it is common to feel sensations in areas of the body other than the area being treated.

After Treatment

Your body is going through profound changes as the release process continues for several days after the treatment. Therapeutic pain is a normal part of the healing process, as sometimes “good pain” is felt during treatment, this can also occur days after the treatment as the body adapts to the structural changes that have occurred. Sometimes new pains in new areas will be experienced. Therapeutic pain does not always occur, but can manifest as soreness, achiness, light-headedness or nausea followed by remarkable improvement. Since toxins are released from your tissues during a treatment, it is recommended that you drink plenty of water to help ‘flush” toxins from your body.

Enjoy all the positive changes your body is going through! Emotions are a normal part of life, and you may experience a release of emotion during and after treatment. Allow these emotions to come up and play out. Suppressing them may hinder your progress.

Communication is always very important between therapist and client so that we can work together in your healing process. Every visit we will discuss what you are feeling and the results of the prior treatment. There is a strong focus on self treatment techniques and stretches to do at home to further your progress.

Tangible results are usually seen early in treatment. Some people experience incredible pain relief and improved quality of life after only one treatment, but commonly it is reported that after three or four treatments, clients are enjoying decreased physical pain and restriction, substantial reductions in stress symptoms and overall improved function. Many factors are at play when determining how quickly you will see results – including the severity of your injury or condition, your overall health upon beginning treatment, and compliance with the self-care programs that are suggested to you.

The ideal frequency of your treatment is based on a plan that we devise at our initial visit. Depending on your circumstances I may recommend treatments to continue as often as 2 sessions a week or as irregular as once a month. I find that clients who need treatment for pain relief realize the greatest gains in their healing when they receive regular weekly appointments. We will know it is time to reduce the frequency of your sessions as your symptoms diminish, and as you gain the resources and confidence needed to continue your self-care at home. As preventative care, monthly treatment proves very beneficial for people and is recommended as a part of your wellness plan.