A lovely lady came to see me recently in regards to seeing if I could help her with knee pain issues she was continuing to experience after a knee replacement 6 months previously.
She was still experiencing pain, discomfort and swelling. The knee was not able to move in a functional range meaning she was unable to walk properly which was exacerbating the arthritis in her feet, ankles, hips, neck and shoulders.
Fall from a Horse
In our consultation, we discovered she’d been experiencing back problems since the 1990s after a fall from a horse. She was now experiencing increasing pain when walking but it was bearable. However, if she had to stand the pain would become severe after about 20 seconds. Her lower back always felt tender to the touch.
Due to the impacts and trauma she had experienced within her body I felt Craniosacral Therapy would help her body in the most effectively.
What is Craniosacral Therapy?
Craniosacral Therapy is a method for connecting with the tissues of the body to release tension and stresses in the tissues that can develop with time, illness, accidents, emotional events, etc.
Utilising the Craniosacral rhythm that flows through the body areas of restrictions in the tissues can be identified. Restrictions indicate areas contributing to pain or discomfort and from where to begin the treatment process.
The restrictions are not always found in the area of present pain. The issues of the body are like a web spreading around adapting based on the experiences it has through life.
In the case of my client, it was her pelvis that felt the most restricted and where I started the treatment.
Although the pressing reason for her visit was her knee the Pelvis is a crucial area for movement and the transfer of forces through the body. Based on her past experience it would make sense that it could be a key area in resolving the issues at the knee.
The Treatment
From the Pelvis I worked up the body through areas known as diaphragms to help release the tissues and help them to reorganise. The diaphragms are horizontal tissues in the body that help support structures and act as shocks absorbers taking the stresses and strains of life.
One of the diaphragms that have a big impact on the body is between the top of the neck and the base of the skull. This is only one of two areas where the spine cord attaches so, any tension in the tissues around here can have a big impact on the nervous system and tissues throughout the body.
Whilst treating her my client said ‘I can feel my knee relaxing’ and indeed we looked to see her knee lowering towards the bed.
The treatment was finished spending some around the knee allowing some release of the tissue directly around the area. During this time a lot of heat was experienced which is a common sign of release.
Treatment Outcomes
At the end of the first treatment, she felt more balanced and stable when she stood. Her knee was able to straighten more fully, the swelling that was present had visibly reduced (it was looking like a knee again) and it didn’t feel as tender to touch.
Her lower back also felt more comfortable and was less tender to touch. Leaving the appointment she was able to walk more easily and comfortably.
Returning for her second treatment my client advised me that she had had to stand in a queue which would have been excruciating prior to her appointments. She only started to notice discomfort after 20 minutes, which stayed as a dull ache rather than becoming a sharp pain and felt more in the muscles rather than in the centre of her pelvis.
Another added benefit was that her Physiotherapist had noticed and commented on the change in her capacity during her knee rehabilitation sessions, seeing improvements that hadn’t occurred in the previous 12 sessions.
What would having less pain and more mobility mean for you?
Being able to support my clients and help them get out of pain and discomfort fills my cup right up.
Not only do I get to someone feel better and make life easier there’s a ripple effect because that person will then be better positioned to help the other people in their lives.
The reduced pain and ability to move more easily will have a huge impact on my client’s wellbeing and their capacity to support and spend time with her friends and family.
What would having less pain and more mobility mean for you?
If you would like to find out how I may be able to support you get in touch with me at intobalancetherapies.co.uk to book your taster session and find out how I could help you get back to being the best you can be.