TT 001.3 - Direct - Indirect Technique
Ξ June 19th, 2008 | → | ∇ Treatment Theory |
HOW ARE RESTRICTIONS RELEASED?
We use two approaches
✬ Indirect technique
✬ Direct technique
It is through a combination of indirect and direct technique that
restrictions can be assisted to release.
INDIRECT TECHNIQUE
Indirect technique requires the skill of being able to follow the body
to the point of restriction.
FOLLOWING
Following the Body is a skill that takes a lot of practice to get
proficient at. Without getting too flowery about it, it’s a bit like
singing along to a song. It requires you to keep in time and in
tune so that your singing harmonises with the music.
The combination of the music and your singing produces
something more than the individual components.
If you put your body in a flotation tank it will generally start to
move because when your body has a gravity free environment
it begins to unravel.
Like a piece of cellophane that has been you crinkled up in
your hands. When you let it go it begins to unravel.
Following the body means providing this gravity free environment
in which the body begins to move. The skill comes in following the dance.
Indirect technique is a process of Unlatching.
You are at a door that is locked. There is a key in the lock but
when you try to turn it the key is stuck. You lean your weight
against the door, pushing it even further closed knowing this
will give the barrel of the lock the space it needs to turn.
While pushing the door in, you try the key again and it turns freely.
You release the door and it springs open.
Indirect technique works in a similar way. It is one of the gems of
the cranio sacral approach. It takes the view that substantial permanent
release can be achieved by following the body into the pattern of restriction.
If one of my vertebrae has been displaced to the left by a trauma,
a whole pattern will have been established around the vertebrae
that will keep it displaced to the left.
No amount of pushing to the right is going to keep the vertebrae
in line permanently. If that approach is taken the vertebrae will
keep ‘popping out’ and will need to be ‘put back in’ with increasing regularity.
A permanent release and subsequent realignment can be achieved
by following the vertebrae into the pattern of restriction, that is to the left.
At the point of the trauma the restriction will release and the vertebrae
will return to alignment naturally.
Indirect technique, going with the restriction pattern.
DIRECT TECHNIQUE
Direct technique is used when indirect technique fails to achieve a
release. The restriction pattern has been felt and the therapist
knows the structure needs to release in a certain direction.
Direct technique is moving in that direction against the restriction.
Direct technique works because of another gem of the cranio sacral
approach; a little pressure over a long period of time can move mountains.
You have just made a peanut butter sandwich. You suddenly decide
you want to put jam in your sandwich too. If you pull the pieces of
bread apart too quickly you will tear them. But if you apply a small
amount of pressure and wait, the two pieces of bread will come apart in time.
You are in a lake. In front of you is a huge yacht. You have to
move it 200m from one jetty to another. You run at the boat and
push it with all your strength. (Not easy when you are waist deep
in water holding a peanut butter sandwich.) The boat hardly moves.
Luckily you are a trained cranio sacral therapist and you apply direct
technique. You place your index finger against the boat, applying a
small amount of pressure and you wait. In time you will see that this
huge boat has moved and if you continue you will cover the 200m in no time.
Direct technique, going against the restriction pattern.
on August 5th, 2008 at 11:07 am
These are incredible analogies for both techniques, thank you for the insight.