Do your clients wonder how light, delicate touch of 5 grams or less can help decrease restrictions within their body? How do you explain this to them?
I recently devised a fascia model representing collagen, elastin, and restriction of motion, which I hope you find useful.
To make the model you will need the following items:
1. Pair of scissors,
2. Business card, and
3. Rubber band.
Instructions:
1. Use a pair of scissors to cut a business card lengthwise and then cut a small “V” notch towards one end. The piece of card represents collagen.
2. Have your client hold the piece of card between their thumb and index finger snugly yet softly. Their grasp of the card represents a restriction.
3. Place a rubber band around the piece of card so it sits within the “V” cutout. Ask your client to hold the rubber band with their other hand. The rubber band represents elastin.
4. Ask your client to take the slack out of the rubber band slowly in the direction away from the “V” cutout, which means just to the point at which they feel the stretch (elastic quality) of the rubber band.
5. Have the client continue taking up the slack in the rubber band as the piece of card rotates within their grasp. The movement of the piece of card represents mobilization of a restriction. Refer to Figure #1 (click on the image to enlarge)
It may be helpful to demonstrate using the model before the client uses it. You can show how to apply minimal traction to the rubber band.
Perhaps explain to your client that fascia surrounds all structures in their body. Actually, every cell is surrounded by fascia; collagen and elastin are two principal components of fascia. Fascia is the substance through which bio-chemical processes and biomechanical force and action occur, therefore normal anatomical structure and physiological function are dependent upon unencumbered balanced mobility of fascia.
Gently engaging the elasticity of the rubber band transmits force throughout the rubber band and paper. As the paper moves between thumb and finger (restriction releases) continue to take up the slack of the rubber band; this represents following the tissue.
What would happen if there were hundreds, or thousands, perhaps millions, or billions of interlinked models? Isn’t the fascia interlinked, interconnected, to form a continuous network throughout the entire body?
Does this model demonstrate how minimal force can create change? Does it suggest how a local change can cause a global change due to the interconnected nature of fascia?
Perhaps if we (CST practitioners) use this model periodically it can help us hone our craft of using the minimal amount of input into a client’s body to aid their self-corrective process.
Harold Magoun’s words regarding palpation reminds us, “To employ other than a skillful and delicate sense of perception is to lose the shades of physiological reaction so necessary for success. Living cells prefer persuasion to force… One must work with the tissues not against them.” 1
Reference:
1. Magoun, H., 1966, 1976, Osteopathy In The Cranial Field, The Journal Printing Company, Kirksville, Missouri
