Spinal Energetics
Spinal Energetics is a modality developed by Chiropractor and Counsellor Dr Sarah Jane. It is a practice that combines Eastern and Western thought, to interact with a person’s spine, nervous system and energetic field, to harness a person’s own innate wisdom to know and heal themselves.
​
Each living being is not just a physical form but also a being of energy. Energy encompasses each of our aspects; physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and soul: Woven together with our ancestry, experiences, stories, personality, and character.
Energy is a spectrum from underactive to overactive. As Spinal Energetics practitioners, we intend to support our clients in meeting the middle path of homeostasis; balance, as we believe that wellbeing is each person’s birthright.
​
Through light yet powerful touch (and often no touch), an organic flow of movement and sound begins and progresses to shift, unwind, discover and release tension, resistance, and stories that may have been stored in the body. The movements and sounds are natural and primordial, they are a response to the treatment and are driven by an individual's energy, intuition and instinct.
​
Spinal Energetics is not something we ‘do’ to a client, it is a practice of collaboration to cultivate and support deep self-awareness in our clients to help them soften and-or strengthen patterns of resistance and-or submission that may be preventing wellbeing from flowing to them.
​
Influenced by various modalities, such as Network Spinal, Alpha Alignment, Shamanism, Inner Dance, Reiki, Esoteric Acupuncture, Craniosacral Therapy, Transpersonal Psychotherapy, Trauma Release and Pranayama. With the incorporation of philosophies of Buddhism, Hinduism, Chinese Medicine, Yogic and Meditative traditions.
Why would you have a spinal energetics session ?
Spinal energetics works in unwinding or releasing tension patterns in the physical body, by working through the communication of the spine, nervous system and brain via the energetics of the body.
So a session could assist with physical body pain, emotional pain and trauma stored in the body, and for mental health.
If you are under mental or emotional stress this has a physical effect on the body. Spinal energetics works with the innate intelligence of the body, the same intelligence that heals a physical injury in our body. By working with this wisdom of the body we are able to get to the root cause of issues that manifest in the physical body.
What does a spinal energetics session involve ?
Initial consults are 1.5 hours I use a variety of techniques including guided meditation and visualisation, breath awareness, aromatherapy using essential oils (if no contraindications) the active spinal energetics part of the session is around 20-30 minutes and dependant on the individuals nervous system at the time and what the capacity is in the system. After the active part of the session is time for allowing the body and mind to rest and integrate the experience.
​
The session involves an assessment looking at what the body is presenting with and where to work along the spine, the spine may present with areas to work from the base of the scull to the coccyx, working with tension points on the physical body and in the energy of the body of above the body.
Sound is also used in the session in the way of specific sounds while using physical touch along points of the spine, and sound with breath. The sound has many purposes with sound frequency having effect on the body and to enhance mind body connection, ie; you hear sound and experience touch at a certain point, the mind begins to be trained to connect to that part of the body where there is disconnection, which is the purpose of the session to bring connection to the disconnection and allow the body to release what it needs in that space or for the flow of energy or communication to occur through the spine and body.
​
The session is conducted fully clothed.
​
Follow up sessions are 1 hour.
How many spinal energetics sessions will you need ?
It is recommended commiting to at 3 sessions to begin with to allow your body to adapt to the treatment and for the treatment to be of most benefit and value for your wellbeing.
​
After your initial consult a follow up treatment within a month is advised, within 2 weeks is ideal, this is individual and a treatment plan can be advised per client. You may find if you need extra support after your initial treatment you may come back after a week.
The body needs time to integrate each session so it is based on the individual.
​
After your initial sessions you may find you want a session monthly to 6 weekly.
The main aim of spinal energetics is to connect you to your body so that you will know when you need a session.
​
You can think of this similar to committing to an exercise practice or going to the gym 1 session of course has benefits, but without commitment and consistency the body will not change.
​
Movement in spinal energetics
What is the movement that can happen in spinal energetics ?
There are a few types of movement which can occur in a session.
Voluntary movement: This is where you begin to connect to your body and feel where your body wants to unwind or unfurl. You might feel the urge to stretch or move in a certain way or move your fingers or toes, This is your body finding safety and connection.
Involuntary movement: This is where your body feels safe and the nervous system feels safe to release stuck tension patterns or move into more primal movement that it may not of had a chance to do when a trauma or stress occured hence it then stores in the body.
This movement can be jerky, a tremor or a shiver or move into a sporadic arch in the spine in bigger movements in the body.
​
Movement progression in spinal energetics.
Movement is not the goal, the goal is connection in the body. For some people the initial sessions may just be developing a mind body connection, so movement through the body could just look like a deeper breath into the body, or a twitch in the foot. The body needs time to cultivate safety, it will only unwind or release to the level that feels safe and that is highly dependant on the state of the nervous system at the time of the session, and every session is different. So remembering big movement through the body is not the goal, you being able to feel your body is the goal and if you have never felt your body that in itself can feel unsafe.
In a session we are developing connection in the body and safety so that you can feel the tension patterns in your body and learn to listen to your body and how it wants to move to release.
Spinal energetics is an empowering modality, the ultimate goal is that you develop your own body awareness and how to release on your own, so it may not be a good business model, but the aim is not to have you come back for weekly sessions or for you to become reliant on a practitioner.
Spinal energetics is a tool in your toolkit to develop and practice so you become the master of your human body, your vehicle on this planet.
FAQ's for spinal energetics
Can children have a spinal energetics session?
Children over 12 can have a session, its not that it is unsafe for children under 12, Spinal energetics is an insured modality and this is the rule of insurance.
Children's nervous systems are influenced by their parents or primary caregivers, so it is more beneficial that the parent or caregiver has treatments and this then flows the child as the adult adapts their own nervous system. Children over 12 need to be accompanied by an adult during the session.
​
Can I have plant medicine in my system during a session eg: cannabis or psilocybin?
​
No. It is advised that you refrain from these substances for at least 72 hours before your session. The reason being is the effect on the brain and body adding different layers to manage during a session. Feel free to ask me more information on this subject. Micro-dosing psychedelics under practitioner care is different and can be discussed.
​
​
Contraindications for Spinal energetics
Spinal Energetics is not suitable for individuals with the following conditions:
Spinal Energetics Contraindications:
- Pregnancy/Postpartum (first 3-6 months postpartum)
- Children under 12 years old
- Severe PTSD
- Severe Mental Health Conditions (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychosis)
- Heavy Medication that Alters Brain Chemistry (antidepressants, anti-anxiety, antipsychotics)
- Recent Physical Injuries, Fractures, or Surgeries
- Epilepsy
- History or Diagnosis of Aneurysms
- Cardiovascular Problems
- History of Seizures
- Severe Asthma
- Heart Disease or Heart Conditions
- Hospitalization for Psychiatric Condition, Emotional Crisis, or Spiritual Emergence (within the past 3 years)
- Any other medical, psychiatric, or physical conditions that would impair the ability to engage in intense physical/emotional release
Children
Spinal Energetics is not suitable for children under 12 years of age. Children between 13-18 need to have their guardian present during treatment.
Elderly
Spinal Energetics practitioners can treat clients up to the age of 75. Clients between the ages of 70 and 75 should be treated with extra caution. It is up to the practitioner's discretion to determine these clients' mobility capabilities and assess if they can cope with treatment.
Please note that clients must honestly disclose all relevant conditions, and practitioners have a duty of care not to treat contraindicated clients and refer them to appropriate specialists.
I understand that the facilitator/practitioner is/are not licenced medical professionals, and this session/s is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical conditions. I should consult with my healthcare provider for any medical conditions.
