By Sue Watson, Sue Watson Craniosacral Therapy
Hi Gary,
I am so excited to come across such a refreshing approach/understanding of Parkinson's disease. I am a craniosacral and physiotherapist doing a bit of digging for useful info about gut health and P.d. for a client when I came across your website. I don't know if you have had any experience of craniosacral therapy, but big into the effects of whole systems harmony, polyvagal theory and impact on neurophysiology/psychoneuroendocrinoimmunological etc.
I have recently taken a career break from the NHS to follow my passion for cranial work and develop how I integrate the understanding that comes from cranial teachings with movement based practice. Your findings sit so in harmony with my experience. I have to say that I haven't gone out of my way to look further into similar approaches to P.d. - from what I see on you website, you appear to be pioneering a way forward - is this all your own research, or can you point me to other sources too?
I have worked with a number of Parkinson's clients very effectively, but - as is often the case with 'complementary' approach, the challenge is in embracing quite a different way of thinking - and the medication/grip of disease/anxiety and stress are powerful and seductive hooks. The gentlemen I am looking into gut health for has found after a couple of our sessions, but not all the time, he is able to play piano after 9 years of his tremor being too disruptive. Our next work is with me carrying out cranial work while he is playing and exploring the sensory experience/interoceptive experience of doing so - then looking at ways he can find balance and access that 'place' for himself.
We (therapists) do a lot of work with trauma recovery, establishing resources with - building stronger neural pathways to grounded/balanced CNS states etc., as well as the benefits of the hands on work itself. Familiar with Gabor Mate/Lavine/Roschild etc, all sitting comfortably with how trauma affects movement and inhibition of such.
My experience as a physio in the community has involved lots of work with Parkinson's and increasingly I see the effects of stress and the social engagement system being critical to understanding and improving movement, and in the last 3 years have done much more work with body awareness during activity, whether it be gaining flexibility or strength or balance. The toughest part is engagement especially when the general physio community is not promoting the same message. As you're website implies, it requires such a commitment to your well-being. I totally admire your perseverance and have empathy for how challenging it must be for you at times.
Is your approach being embraced by the professionals researching the rehab/recovery work? I would be really interested to hear more. You may be interested in the work of Body Intelligence/biodynamic craniosacral therapy, Pain is Really Strange (FB and blog site) - although name implies about pain, it's that full mix of what you have been exploring yourself (Steve Haines, craniosacral therapist).
Kind regards, Sue Watson (Scotland)