BODY WORK, MASSAGE, CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY & SOMATOEMOTIONAL RELEASE

 

 

Nekawa body work treatments use a mix modality of techniques to release trigger points, fascial restrictions, joint compressions, muscle and postural imbalances and other structural or muscular issues.

Treatments may involve therapies such as craniosacral therapy, sports massage and remedial massage, trigger point therapy, joint decompression and mobilisation, and myofascial release. Both biodynamic and biomechanic craniosacral therapy and somatoemotional release is practised. 

Therapists are also experienced and happy to offer guidance in areas of Pilates, fitness training, rehabilitation (rehab) training, hypnosis yoga and mindfulness / meditation.

Some other areas that I enjoy working with:

Body alignment

Craniosacral therapy works with the Craniosacral fluid of the body (CSF), energy centres, bones and the body’s subconscious. The CSF is made in the brain and then flows around the body following the nerves. Like the blood, the CSF has a rhythm, imagine the effects of a rock in a river on its flow. This is how I like to decribe working with the fluid of the body, as a therapist we are working to remove the rocks from the river (such as energy centres, misaligned bones) in order to improve and correct flow.

Behavioural Disorders 

For those with behavioural disorders such as ADHD, OCD and Autism normal functioning in everyday life can be affected. I frequently work with children and adults to help find relief from their symptoms and we can work through self help resources. 

Joint Alignment and decompression / Arthritis care

Injury or repetitive movements can cause compressions, arthritis and torsions through the joints. Joint mobilisation and unwinding techniques can alleviate joint compression and mal-tracking that affect the fluidity of the joint. These techniques can also be used to decrease the pain in arthritic joints.

Sports Injury

Injuries frequently occur from imbalances within the body. Athletes in particular might be one-sided due to the nature of their sport. We look at correcting these imbalances to take the stress away from the injured area and promote healing. Exercise can be given to correct imbalances.

Trauma

Craniosacral therapy is a powerful tool in working with PTSD and traumas. Traumas can sit in the body as dense energy centres which may result in confusing symptoms, diseases and depression.

Dancers

I enjoy working with dancers as I have a through understanding of flexibility having been a dancer and yoga instructor. I would find it frustrating if I had an injury / muscular imbalance when I couldn’t find anyone to work out my issue as I had such full range of movements.

Children

Craniosacral therapy works with the cranial bones and cranial fluid which makes it a perfect therapy in the treatment of behavioural symptoms such as OCDs / tics from diagnoses of PANDAS / PANS / ADHD and Autism. Hypnosis is also an option to help kids who suffer with anxiety.

Dental work

Both jaw misalignment and wearing braces can result in jaw and teeth pain and headaches, Craniosacral therapy can include mouth work to release and support dental work in teeth and jaw realignment.

Completion of biological processes

This is quite a magical experience. It allows the client to remove any negative emotions attached to: for example the birthing process, surgery or events that didn’t play out right. Through replaying these experiences as the client wished them to be can be extremely comforting and empowering. 

 

 

 

A little bit more on craniosacral therapy:

Originally a branch of osteopathy, craniosacral therapy is now a modality within itself. It is a non-invasive and gentle method for releasing restrictions within the body making it a popular therapy for newborns through to all ages. It can help treat a range of issues from general body aches and pain, depleted energy levels, help to reduce the ‘strains of life’, stress / anxiety and work with the body’s response to trauma and PTSD. This is turn improves the body’s ability to self-care.

 

What are restrictions?

Restrictions may cause pain and dysfunctions within the body, stop it from functioning at its peak and may be caused by:

● Habitual (repetitive) patterns - such as crossing the legs when sitting or from sports that rely on one-sided dominance such as rowing, tennis or hockey.
● Injury
● Disease
● Trauma

These restrictions might present as musculoskeletal problems or be the root cause of issues within some of the body systems, for example the endocrine, gastrointestinal, immune, neurological and / or reproductive systems to name a few.

More complex, can be when symptoms do not present for many years as the body struggles compensating for restrictions that have never released themselves or been aided to release with treatments such as craniosacral therapy.

 

Craniosacral therapy treats all ages:

● Babies
○ restrictions may cause babies to present with fussiness, flattening of the head or digestive issues such as colic.
● Young children through to teenagers
○ restrictions may present as growing pains, anxiety, mental and behavioural disorders, developmental delays, learning and / or social difficulties; that may or may not be due to diagnoses such as autism, ADHD, PANS and / or PANDAS for example.
○ Dental work such as braces can result in headaches, jaw pain and overall discomfort which cranioscaral therapy may be effective in treating.
● Our older generation - Craniosacral therapy may be a gentle support treatment for those suffering age related diseases such as Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson’s.

 

Craniosacral therapy can help with realignment of the body both structurally and of its systems. Other areas it can help with the treatment of include (but are not limited to): 

● Acute and Chronic issues
● Anxiety disorders to include stress, body tension, overwhelm, low mood and depression
● Auditory disturbances such as tinnitus
● Back and neck pain
● Behavioural disorders
● Central Nervous System disorders
● Dental work
● Dizziness and Vertigo
● Emotional trauma and PTSD *
● Endocrine disorders
● Fibromyalgia / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
● General musculoskeletal pain
● Headache and migraine
● Hormonal dysfunction / imbalance
● Immune system disorders
● Neurovascular disorders
● Scoliosis
● Stress and tension related problems
● Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction
● Visual disturbances

 

* Emotional issues, trauma and PTSD

SomatoEmotional® Release is a branch of Craniosacral therapy which specifically looks at the treatment of emotional energy centres trapped within the body. These might be triggered from childhood, times of high stress or when the body experienced a heightened emotional response to an event, such as a car crash, childbirth, losing a loved one. Deeper still, from events that leave the individual with lasting Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD. Left untreated these behave as other restrictions in the body and can manifest over time into symptoms affecting any of the body systems. These energy centres might be preventing people from reaching their goals such as in weight loss, lack of confidence, anxiety and depression. 

 

 

SUMMARY OF TREATMENT 

Nekawa was created to support all individuals in every avenue of their life to help reconnect their mind, body and spirit. Treatments are complementary to treatments with other therapists such as psychotherapists, psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech therapists (to name a few) and Nekawa practitioners are happy to work alongside these therapists. We believe it is important to integrate all these aspects in order for patients to achieve optimal health and healing.

Treatments involve prolonged hand to body contact / gentle rocking motions / trigger points, facial release and deep tissue release. Little or no oil is generally used. The body can change between appointments and as such treatments are likely to vary each time. Client tend to be lying face up, but may be required to sit, side lie or lie face down. The first session frequently involves working from the feet to the head.

For cranial work, clients remain clothed. For muscular work the area may be exposed to allow for deeper treatment with oils. 

Client might be suggested some take home advice to include stretches and exercise to support their healing.

 

 

 

LOCATION

Ponsonby, Auckland - one weekend a month

Whanganui - coming 2025

 

Please contact me with any questions.