Why do so many therapists avoid belly-work?
September 12, 2009 – 12:54 pmI’ve found many workshop participants are uncomfortable performing hands-on abdominal work, i.e., pelvic and respiratory diaphragm releases and sometimes even superficial belly techniques. This seems particularly true when working with pregnant clients/patients.
Do you feel belly-work is under-emphasized in massage trainings? Does the area hold too much emotion or possibly too intimate for some? I’ve written a short e-newsletter & posted a video showing some basic useful structural integration techniques @ http://erikdalton.com/NewslettersOnline/Sept_09_Newsletter.htm
6 Responses to “Why do so many therapists avoid belly-work?”
One of the best ways I’ve found to get around the vanity, vulnerability issue is by talking to my client (as I work)about the importance of ‘belly-work’ from a postural standpoint. Almost everyone desires better posture and by using the simple techniques shown on my You Tube video @
http://erikdalton.com/NewslettersOnline/Sept_09_Newsletter.htm
It’ll give you a place to begin a dialogue about the benefits of abdominal work.
Also, it’s important to discuss how lymphatic toxitity develops from alterations and imbalances in the neuromyoskeletal breathing apparatus. Optimun diaphragmatic breathing is often hampered by facilitation or inhibition not only in the respiratory and pelvic diaphragms, but also in core stabilizing structures. Commonly in clients suffering constant congestion, when one soft hand is placed on the ribcage (supine) and another on the belly, you’ll find the client’s chest and belly rise and fall opposite each other. This is called paradoxical breathing (as opposed to diaphragmatic breathing) and can create major health issues via alterations in the body’s PH levels. Tight scalenes and a weak respiratory diaphragm are common culprits. Joint and rib dysfunction can inhibit diaphragmatic function…so can prolonged computer work…OK I’m off this computer…going to the gym.
By Erik Dalton on Sep 13, 2009
Hey Geo:
Thanks for reminding me that I never addressed my initial question: “Should these techniques be performed on our pregnant moms?” Of all people requiring belly work, this population is probably at the top of the list.
Trained therapists must begin restoring balance and function to all core and global structures as early as possible and continue with regular treatments to maintain front-to-back and side-to-side myoskeletal balance.
We all know that overstretching of the rectus abdominis and poor “Lower Crossed Syndrome” alignment has the ability to create tears in the tough linea alba ligament causing a condition termed recti diastasis.
Manual therapists must incorporate sidelying extended finger (scooping) techniques as demonstrated in the article listed above so that the recti can be repositioned back toward the mid-line. This will help restore trunk extension and reduce strain in the lumbar facets, intervertebral discs and associated structures burried in the osteoligamentous canal. Although this is a good treatment plan, what about prevention?
Many cases of recti diastasis has roots in fetal lie during momma’s 3rd trimester. Left fetal lie is the optimum embryologic positioning during most of the final trimester, but today, many babies seem to be presenting in an awkward delivery position termed “sunny side up”.
Many believe this presentation, where the baby’s head clips the pubic bone during the restitution and expulsion phases of delivery, causes head-on-neck hyperextension through the O-A joint. Resultant compression of the fragile neurovascular structures hidden beneath the posterior-occipital atlantal membrane seems to have a direct link to our society’s addiction to sitting, sleeping, driving, etc. in flexed positions. Let’s face it…we’re a flexion-addicted population and this grave problem is commonly reflected in the birthing process and the health of the child.
Because the infant’s skull is highly vulnerable to forces of labor, when compressive forces of the uteurus are carried via the spine to the base of the skull, cranial distortions often occur that plague the child throughout his/her lifetime.
By Erik Dalton on Sep 13, 2009
Actually,we begin life in the fetal posture and if we live long enough our bodies shift closer to that original position. Somehow, we curl up and protect that vulnerable area. We hold a lot of feelings in that abdomen which in turn causes us to have any number of physical ailments. I like to introduce sometimes reluctant clients to abdominal massage by doing it through the sheets. As I progress in my slow movements the client is physically able to see and feel the opening up of that area and increase their ability to take a full and relaxed breath. Their posture is also helped with just one treatment through the sheets. WOW!!
By Denise D. Heywood on Oct 21, 2009
I would suggest that the abdominal area holds ‘mystery and mis-understanding along with emotions’….for the client and the therapist. What appears to aid in addressing this area and supporting confidence is education….where are the organs, what do they do…..how does a visceral muscle such as the large intestine function and how can we as therapists manually (and safely) approach restoration.
By Taum in Truckee on Oct 22, 2009
What’s your take on the core stability controversy?
A primary goal of CS training is teaching clients how to recruit specific deep trunk muscles to effectively control lumbar spine positioning during dynamic movements. Core training is intended to provide essential joint stiffness and stability, allowing the body’s large prime movers (global muscles) a solid working foundation.
Carolyn Richardson, describing her research on core stability states, “Thus, conceptually, the transversus abdominis and multifidus form the walls of a cylinder while the muscles of the pelvic floor and diaphragm form its base and lid, respectively. There is some initial evidence that these four muscles act in synergy to provide a spinal support mechanism.”
Since so many popular bodywork modalities are based on core stability principles such as co-contraction of transversus abdominis/pelvic floor muscles during specific movements, I’d like to get your feedback on this issue? Check out the blog thread at http://www.DaltonBodyworkTraining.com
By Erik Dalton on Oct 31, 2009
Hello I am glad to read the whole content of this blog and am very excited and happy to say that the webmaster has done a very good job here to put all the information content and information at one place, I will must refer this information with reference on my own website.
By grüner tee on Nov 5, 2009