Rx Bodywork & Wellness

It's amazing how we keep learning more about the connectedness of living organisms and the power of touch. It's impossible to comprehend all of the ways life is connected and how living things heal.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-026-02422-w

https://www.sciencealert.com/squeezing-a-leg-bone-helped-animals-recover-from-brain-injury

Tibial bone compression promotes recovery after brain injury through osteocyte PIEZO1 - Nature Neuroscience Mechanical loading of the tibia improves survival and recovery after brain surgery in mice and pigs. This bone–brain axis is mediated by osteocyte PIEZO1, which triggers the release of neuroprotective factors into the circulation.

Balance is one of those things we take for granted until we notice it's not quite the same as it once was. Sometimes it's a slow decline over years or suddenly after a fall, injury, or illness that we notice our balance suffering.

There are 4 main areas of our anatomy that affect balance:

1. Foot/ankle proprioception
2. Hip and core stability
3. Neck proprioception
4. Our senses- mainly ears and eyes

One of the easiest at home tests for balance is single leg stance. If you're uneasy with this, I recommend standing near a wall for support, or have a partner near you ready to assist. Stand on one leg while lifting your other side off the ground as high as 90 degrees hip flexion. Start with eyes open and time how long you can stand on one leg without over-correcting or placing your other foot down. A good benchmark to shoot for is 20-30 seconds on each leg. Compare left to right.

Once this is attainable, progress to eyes closed and compare with your previous times. With eyes closed, we rely more on foot/ankle proprioception without visual input.

Progression 3 is single leg balance on a balance pad or disc with eyes open.

Progression 4 is using a balance pad or disc with eyes closed.

Progression 5 use dynamic movements such as catching a ball on one foot, on the ground or a balance device.

Progression 6 try a slackline or paddle board!

Just like training for a hike or for strength gains, balance will improve with time and progression (in otherwise healthy individuals). If you have had a recent injury or illness, there are ways to help improve local strength in the feet and core in addition to manual therapy for the head/neck that can aid in improving balance.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35084234/

The red still point inducer shown here is a great home tool for relaxing the head and neck. By placing it in the middle of the back of the head instead of lower on the suboccipital muscles at the base of the skull, its offers multiple benefits:

1. Relaxation of the head, neck, spine, and jaw
2. A position of feedback to allow the neck muscles to let go and release (which is helpful post concussion, whiplash, sustained poor posture)
3. Still point induction, which in short is a physiological state when the cerebrospinal fluid near the 4th ventricle of the brain builds up, pauses, then rebounds to promote tissue relaxation.

Learn more:
https://prescriptionbodywork.com/craniosacral-therapy/

Effects of 4th Ventricle Compression:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37641394/

This study suggests that microcurrent stimulation was effective for recovery from cumulative muscle fatigue while TENS had no effect. Microcurrent is a non-invasive, pain-free adjunct therapy that has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation and is being used by many pro athletes and military for recovery, chronic pain, and rehab.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25642049/

The body is connected...it seems so obvious but something as simple as a calf massage not only relieves tightness and promotes relaxation, but has been shown to decrease heart rate and lower blood pressure by affecting the autonomic nervous system.

Effects of Therapeutic Calf Massage on Cardiac Autonomic Function in Healthy Volunteers—a Pilot Study | International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork Effects of Therapeutic Calf Massage on Cardiac Autonomic Function in Healthy Volunteers—a Pilot Study A. V. Siva Kumar, PhD Narayana Medical College and Hospital A. Krishna Sri Lahari, BPT Narayana College of Physiotherapy K. N. Maruthy, MD Narayana Medical College and Hospital S. K. Kareem, MSc N...

Fascinating explanation on how our anatomy responds and adapts to stress and how stress impacts our health.

What is Polyvagal Theory? | Polyvagal Institute If you're looking for a basic understanding of Dr. Stephen Porges' Polyvagal Theory, check out our articles, videos, infographics, illustrations, FAQ's and slides to give you a solid foundation of the key principles of Polyvagal Theory. Plus, we share free resources including free courses if you wan...

Science is showing how extensive the vagus nerve connects to our organs:

Major highway of the human nervous system gets a complete road map First comprehensive map of the vagus nerve may point to more precise stimulation therapies

These 12 nerves originate from the brainstem (midbrain, pons, medulla) except for I and II which connect directly to the forebrain. They serve critical functions from basic senses (smell, vision, hearing) to controlling vital autonomic functions (heart rate, digestion), and can become dysregulated through TBI/concussion, trauma, stress, and infection. I often see on sided contraction of the SCM/Upper Trap muscle with Vagus Nerve symptoms (GI issues, irregular heart rate, decreased stress tolerance). I use a combination of manual therapy, FSM (which addresses the brain stem), and head/neck/autonomic exercises to restore balance to the cranial nerves and tissues.

I - Olfactory nerve: Sense of smell.
II - Optic nerve: Vision.
III - Oculomotor nerve: Eye movement, pupil constriction, and eyelid elevation.
IV - Trochlear nerve: Downward and inward eye movement.
V - Trigeminal nerve: Facial sensation and chewing muscles.
VI - Abducens nerve: Outward eye movement.
VII - Facial nerve: Facial expressions, taste, and salivary gland secretions.
VIII - Vestibulocochlear nerve: Hearing and balance.
IX - Glossopharyngeal nerve: Taste, swallowing, and parotid gland secretion.
X - Vagus nerve: Parasympathetic innervation of internal organs, heart rate, and swallowing.
XI - Accessory nerve: Movement of neck and shoulder muscles.
XII - Hypoglossal nerve: Tongue movement.

To memorize the nerves in order, health science students often use the mnemonic: On Occasion Our Trusty Truck Acts Funny, Very Good Vehicle Anyhow.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21998-cranial-nerves

muscles.vi

There are 8 cranial bones in the adult human skull.

These bones form the cranium (braincase) that protects the brain and provide attachment points for muscles of the head and neck:

Frontal 1 Forehead and roof of orbits (eye sockets)
Parietal 2 Left and right sides of the skull (top portion)
Temporal 2 Left/right sides near the ears
Occipital 1 Back and base of the skull; contains foramen magnum where spinal cord passes through
Sphenoid 1 Butterfly-shaped bone at the base of the skull; part of eye sockets
Ethmoid 1 Delicate bone between the eyes; forms part of nasal cavity and orbital walls
Total: 8 cranial bones (1 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 8)

It's worth noting that the skull also contains 14 facial bones, which are separate from the cranial bones. Together, the cranial and facial bones make up the complete skull, 22 bones in total. (Note that infants have more skull bones initially, which gradually fuse together as they grow into adulthood through ossification of sutures.)

Osteopathic cranial techniques deal with the cranium , spine, and sacrum/pelvis due to it's link with the parasympathetic nervous system and diagnostic information that can help guide a treatment session.

https://prescriptionbodywork.com/craniosacral-therapy/

There are multiple classifications of pain:

Nociceptive Pain The most common type, arising from activation of pain receptors (nociceptors) in tissues

Somatic nociceptive pain: Originates from skin, muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, fascia, bursae

Visceral nociceptive pain: Arises from internal organs

Neuropathic Pain Results from damage or disease affecting the peripheral or central nervous system

Nociplastic (Primary) Pain: A newer mechanistic category referring to pain from altered nociceptive processing without clear tissue damage or nerve injury:

Central sensitization is a good example: Fibromyalgia, chronic low-back pain, IBS, TBI/Post-Concussion Syndrome

Referred Pain: Pain perceived at a location different from the source
Common in conditions like heart attacks (pain felt in arm/jaw) or gallbladder issues (shoulder pain) as well myofascial trigger point pain

Psychogenic Pain or Psychosomatic Pain: Sometimes used to describe pain related to psychological factors from mental/emotional trauma

All of these types of pain can overlap and be addressed through manual therapy, especially the osteopathic manual techniques such as myofascial release, craniosacral, counterstrain, and muscle energy work.

https://prescriptionbodywork.com/