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Confessions Of A Bodywork Skeptic
A skeptic explores two alternative body therapy treatments newly available in Atlanta.
by Java Solis
June 1, 2006
I
am a skeptic. Or I was. The assignment: experience and write about two types of
alternative bodywork therapy offered in metro-Atlanta. The spa junkies among you might be feeling
the first pangs of jealousy; the cynics might be rolling their eyes.
Five Grams of CranioSacral Therapy
CranioSacral therapy is a practice based on the theory that the quality and pulse of the
cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) offers diagnostic information about the health and functioning of the
entire body. CSF is a colorless liquid that constantly flows around the brain and the spine. CSF
protects the brain from impact injuries, facilitates blood flow throughout the brain, regulates
pressure within the skull, transports waste products and delivers hormones and nutrients.
The trained CranioSacral practitioner perceives the pulse of CSF throughout the body, noting
inconsistencies and encouraging internal self-healing. This process supposedly allows the body to
release past trauma and self-correct painful experiences in the stored tissues. The client may
experience release in the form of physical movement, emotional expression, deep relaxation, or
regional tissue release.
I met with Molly Grady-Tatgé, MA, a CranioSacral therapist who has been practicing the art
for 16 years. "CranioSacral therapy is a highly specialized form of bodywork, with only 98 advanced
therapists in the U.S.," explains Grady-Tatgé.
People seek CranioSacral therapy to deal with specific symptoms such as chronic headaches or
low back pain, to find clarity and calm during emotional stress, or to obtain an overall sense of
well being. Grady-Tatgé also treats children for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
and autism.
"I work with body wisdom," Grady-Tatgé explains to me as I lie on my back, fully clothed, on
a massage table. "I want to hear what your body says, versus what you might tell me with your
words." Grady-Tatgé first evaluates my body, placing her hands on me, working from my toes to my
head. Her touch is extremely light. During a session, the practitioner never uses more than five
grams of pressure, about the weight of a nickel. The theory is, the lighter the touch the deeper
the effect. Grady-Tatgé also includes discussion; questions and imagery if she feels it will
benefit the patient.
Grady-Tatgé zeroes in on my right hip, sternum and my throat, letting her hands rest lightly
at each place for several minutes. These are my problems areas. I do not experience any sensations
in my tissues during the process. While she's working, Grady-Tatgé explains that, "the difference
between CranioSacral therapy and massage is that CranioSacral gets to the root of the problems
instead of only massaging out the symptoms."
A review of accepted medical literature finds the majority of researchers concluding that
there is not enough scientific evidence to support the use of CranioSacral therapy and that it is
more of a belief system than a science. What does Grady-Tatgé say to critics? "The proof is in the
pudding. Come in and try it."
The Path to Integration
Onto the next assignment, a Hellerwork session. This bodywork therapy focuses on integrating
the skills of practitioners across multiple areas, including physical therapy, massage and
psychotherapy, and integrating bodywork (i.e., massage therapy, physical therapy), body psychology
(how attitudes and beliefs are reflected and stored in the body) and movement (relearning body
movements). Ultimately, these practices are used to heal and reconnect the body as a whole. "The
goal is to make your body more fluid, more flexible," explains Roger Kilcrease, PT, MS, CHP, the
only Hellerwork practitioner in the Atlanta area.
Patients seeking Hellerwork tend to suffer from pain and most have found that prior
treatments have not sufficiently relieved their symptoms. The pain may be from an accident, poor
posture, the physical effects of depression, the negative effects of repetitive work, or the
emotional and physical damage of abuse. Hellerwork addresses the root of these issues while
treating the symptoms.
Hellerwork comprises 11 sessions, each approximately 60 to 90 minutes. "It's kind of like
peeling an onion," says Kilcrease. "You start with the outer layers and work concentrically
deeper." The first three sessions focus on the superficial aspects of the body, including posture
and breathing. Sessions four through seven focus on the deep tissues and core bodywork. Sessions
eight through 11 put everything together, integrating the individual areas and tissues and focusing
on the body as a whole. During each session, patients can expect some talk therapy, some bodywork
and some movement reeducation.
Kilcrease notes that patients usually feel the initial effects within the first session. I
can attest to this. After stripping down to my underwear (or any garment in which you feel
comfortable and your posture can be evaluated) Kilcrease assesses my posture. The physical
therapist in him is immediately evident as he measures bone lengths and alignment, assesses my
joint movement and evaluates my range of motion.
Kilcrease lists the areas that need work. Interestingly, my right hip presents as a problem
in his office as well as with the CranioSacral therapist. I am also very restricted in my shoulders
and across my collarbones. Now comes the deep tissue work. It can be painful at times, but
Kilcrease is good about asking if the pressure is okay. After the session, he says he can see the
difference in my hip and my collarbones, and I have to admit, I can feel the difference. While each
client's experience is different, Kilcrease says that most patients, "feel it's easier to breath,
feel more upright and feel like they have a greater range of motion," after each session.
While Hellerwork has been available since the early 1970s, there is little published
scientific evidence supporting its efficacy as an independent practice. I also ask Kilcrease what
he would want a skeptic to know. "Read about Hellerwork and then find a therapist you feel
comfortable with," he says. "Being in sync with your therapist is important because this is
intensive work."
After my two sessions I am more relaxed, more aware of my posture and breathing a little
easier. It is clear that I would have to go back for additional sessions to attain the full benefit
from either practice. It is also clear that finding a highly skilled therapist and being a believer
in the type of practice you are pursuing just might lead you down the path to relaxation and
healing.
