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This is the second part of 'The Protective Patterns of Trauma' to read part one, click here.
Revealing the Shen:
In Shiatsu therapy we learn that the Shen (the spirit) resides in the Heart and the Pericardium Heart protector is there to protect it. From my experience, all trauma clients and all clients with chronic conditions hide aspects of self-consciously and unconsciously. This is where the inner
conflict, the friction is felt between who we are, our essence and how we adapted to protect ourselves from pain and continued suffering. As soon as there is that command to protect oneself and fear a threat, the pericardium constricts around the heart.
In Shiatsu we are trained to do Hara Assessment when people first come to us. I don’t do that for the first few sessions again for the same reasons, that it be interpreted as “Invasive”. Working with victims of abuse, childhood trauma, violence and trauma caused by medical procedures and diseases, creates layers of protective barriers and fear. In addition from my clinical experience, when you remove the protective mechanisms and reset the nervous system you can get a more accurate assessment of the Hara.
For example, a common Jitsu Liver or Pericardium /Heart can have a completely different reading after resetting the nervous system. So what do I do Instead you might ask?
I assess the Shen and start to release what I call the Alarm System of the body. There is something really powerful in touching the heart (of course always with the permission of the client) and a very specific part of the sternum CV 17 area (but not always) a point that will be acutely sensitive to the touch. At times It feels like a “knife stab” going deep even with the most gentle pressure/touch. You let the client know that it is there and it’s important that we find it and release it for them. Once it is found tuning into the information through that point starts the assessment. Feeling the 4 layers of the heart I saw Clifford Andrews do in a workshop I attended in Vienna. Where we focused on the physical heart, the psychological heart, the emotional heart and the spiritual heart. This enabled me to focus my Intuitive skills and start to “see” the pictures of the conflict.
What’s more important there is a release that can be done for the pericardium and therefore the heart that does not necessarily require steady and prolonged work on the meridians associated (even though of course it’s helpful).
The release is so done with such subtlety that the client is astounded especially if there was severe sensitivity before. Also the areas in the chest, solar plexus, throat, shoulders upper back completely start to unwind.
When we work with trauma we always involve our clients in what we are doing and why we are doing it. It’s imperative to restore trust and create - healing experiences, empowering them that change can come with ease if we are doing it together consciously and intentionally.
With some very easy and comfortable transition moves that open up the chest I move to the most famous nerve in the body and now the world. Have you heard of it? Have you guessed it?
The Vagus Nerve:
Also known as the Wandering Nerve, I call it the Master Nerve! Why the master? Because it can master you and after some time It is very hard for people to master it.
Besides being the line of communication between organs and the brain and vice versa, it also can affect respiration, digestion, Inflammation and Immunity. Blood pressure and lymph flow disrupt the endocrine system.
There is a branch of the nerve on each side of the neck right in line with the Scalene Muscles (which are chronically tight for most of your chronic clients). When the Alarm System is on the Vagus nerve is always a part of it and the scalenes will feel like “uncooked pasta”. Tight, wiry and pulse at times very rapid through the carotid artery.
I always educate the client about the Vagus nerve and how It’s a culprit in what they are experiencing and the tension, anxiety, pain and symptomology that they complain about. I have them involved in resetting It and use again very, very gentle maneuvers that I ask the client to do with the guidance of my hands.
I emphasize the movements must be easy, as a trauma client, or even a chronic stress client will tend to create fast and hard movements even though they are instructed to do it slowly (meaning they habitually only know one speed). Once the sequence of movements is completed on both sides and in the systemic way the vagus nerve completely relaxes. The scalene muscles will feel like well-cooked pasta, the jaw will start to relax and they start to move into an alpha state, a deeper state of relaxation to their pleasure and relief. You always emphasize how well they did and how easy it was.
Once the alarm starts to subside we remove the SWORD and the SHIELD.
The Shoulders:
Pericardium and heart are relaxed, the chest is open, the vagus nerve is reset, you've succeeded in moving them to a healing state in the brain and body and Alpha state. The next move in the sequence - Rolling them to a side position and starting with the left shoulder the Shield = the Heart.
When working in a side position the shoulder supporting the back with your body is so powerful. You are now entering not just another part of the treatment but continuing a conversation and in this part, you are asking them to take the burden of carrying this shield for so long. With your touch and gentle, slow movements you are saying to them that It is safe to take it off, you are there for them to be able to take it off, you have their back and they can trust. For most people, the left side always feels heavier than the right side. More rigid, more unable to relax, more restricted but gently and slowly with not a lot of effort and very little manipulation it starts to let go, unwind and expand.
On the right side and shoulder, the sword = the fight. You will notice and learn that good fighters always have problems on the right side. Especially those that will say, I never give up. Be again in a side position very supportive as you are asking this shoulder and part of the body to drop the sword because there is no need for a fight, a war they are safe. Working with mercenaries, soldiers, special unit forces, police officers, and first responders is very hard for them to let go of this side.
Once you managed to negotiate with the sword and the shield and assisted in the continual letting go as far as you were allowed to. We transition to the 2 most Loyal Soldiers.
The Iliopsoas Muscles:
Are the Fight and Flight Muscle, ready to run away from a threat at any moment. It gives us the power to do so and the ability to jump out of threats. They connect the spine, pelvis, hip and leg and are very close to the Kidneys where they are inserted in the back. I always imagine them to be the two most loyal soldiers standing as the gatekeepers in front of the gate to the king, or the queen who resides in the palace (the heart).
They absorb the shock that we experience and many of our traumas before we’ve come to understand and orient ourselves to what has happened. They store together with our Kidneys and Bladder our fears and our terror. When we disassociate from our bodies the psoas takes the brunt. As we are disconnected from our center, or sense of safety the most loyal soldiers will step in to try and make you safe. I’ll hold the fort until you feel safe, or like yourself. Most therapists heard of the psoas muscles but few know how to release them properly, safely and non-invasively with the help of your clients.
The release methods need to be accurate, gentle and with the client as opposed to overriding the tension and trying to force a release. You create enough awareness with your touch and movement to enable the client to do the release. To release to the extent that they can handle and take for themselves. Once the psoas relaxes subsequently to all the other releases that are part of the Alarm System there is an overall deep relief and emotional releases start to move. The momentum and volume of history is allowed to move.
The Diaphragm: I can breathe now
Last but not least. The mediator of the bodymind. The hardest worker in the body never gets a break.
The diaphragm, through its rhythmic contractions during breathing, has a direct impact on the Autonomic Nervous system (ANS). When we inhale, the diaphragm contracts, creating a negative pressure in the chest cavity, which draws air into the lungs. This action primarily engages the PNS, promoting relaxation and calmness. Conversely, during exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes, and the SNS becomes more active, preparing the body for action.
The Diaphragm and Stress Response
Stress is an inevitable part of life, and how we respond to it can significantly affect our physical and mental well-being. The diaphragm plays a pivotal role in modulating the body's stress response. Shallow, chest-based breathing, which neglects the diaphragm's involvement, can
lead to chronic stress and anxiety. In contrast, deep, diaphragmatic breathing promotes a more balanced activation of the ANS, reducing stress and promoting relaxation.
Diaphragmatic breathing enhances the Peripheral nervous system (PNS) activity, leading to decreased heart rate, lowered blood pressure, and improved digestion. It also stimulates the vagus nerve, a critical component of the PNS that helps regulate various bodily functions, including inflammation and emotional responses.
Releasing the diaphragm is done together and gently again with the client. They are always told what you are about to do and why and how you need their assistance to do it. That’s why using metaphors is so effective and powerful. It’s like me knocking on your door and from inside you look through the peephole and you see me (the therapist) who by now you trust. All you have to do is allow me to come in because you know I won’t hurt you, create pain, or make a mess. Usually, they smile here, or giggle and there is a release. Once the release occurs 3 pumps to the ribcage with strong inhales . Followed by 3 more pumps to the sternum with 3 inhales and 3 to the upper chest with strong inhales. Why do that you might ask?
To fill them up with new life, strong Lung Qi to infuse them with power, hope and renewal.
The effects are powerful of these gentle sequences you have just enabled them to release all the main protective mechanisms of the body and the alarm system. I can emphasize how relieved they feel and how well this works on so many levels. “The proof will have to be in the pudding”. I invite you to investigate and learn the techniques and their specifics in my workshops.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mihael Mamychshvili: Founder, Angel Hands Integrative Center, Master Lead Therapist (RST) Registered Shiatsu Therapist (RST), Creator NeuroPath Reset Therapy (NPR) , Mindbody Coach.
Mihael has worked with over 15,000 people with chronic pain and the effects of traumas. His speciality is reconnecting the communication between the mind and body. His innovative approach to the body and broad knowledge and experience has lead to his reputation as a therapist who can Initiate transformative change.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NeuroPathReset/
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