Two Stories...

Most recently, I have had the pleasure of working on two patients who were in need of more than just relaxation.  Their symptoms and pathology was very different but they  were able to benefit greatly from the bodywork they received.  I would like to share their stories today.  I am going to protect their identity, even though I'm sure they would be happy to have their names used here.  

Patient #1 came to me through a referral from another therapist.  He was severely depressed, to the point of not being able to live a normal life.  I started taking his appointments a year and a half ago.  We started out doing CranioSacral Therapy and were seeing a bit of progress in his condition.  Little things I made notice of, like he would smile at the end of the session.  As he progressed, he would walk taller and was more personable.  He also noticed that people out in public were also viewing him in a different way, they were  approaching him, which didn't  happen too much before.  Once I finished my first Brain Therapy class, I brought my new knowledge to the table and we had more options to work with.  We again saw slow progress, but progress still.  For a time he saw multiple therapists, Brain Therapy, CranioSacral Therapy and an occasional Deep Tissue Massage made up his protocol.  Little by little, he started to take back control of his life.  He made some realizations as to where he wanted to be and carved out a plan to get himself there but the depression made it still a difficult task to complete.  The good news was that he was starting to at least envision a day when he would be able to work again.  Recently, he was able to make some really healthy decisions that prior wouldn't have been an option for him.  He  finally valued himself enough to see someone about his depression, realizing it was a chemistry issue.  That gave him the final boost he needed to be able to reinvest in himself.  Last week he was able to finish the training he needed to be able to get re-certification in his field and start to consider a stable job again.  The last time he walked through my door, he was smiling as he walked in, not just when he left.  He has come a very long way and I'm thankful to have been along for part of the journey.  

Patient #2 came to me also as a referral from another therapist.  She was young, only 19, and had already suffered 6 Traumatic Brain Injuries.  She has severe headaches/migraines, memory problems, and behavioral issues.  She was taking a medical leave from school in order  to get some therapy and hopefully some help with her symptoms.  I had only a limited amount of time to work with her because she was going to have to go back to school and was doing so out of the country.  I saw her for 4 months, most  weeks, at least once a week, sometimes twice.  Most visits I did Brain Therapy with her and occasionally CranioSacral Therapy.  She, like the previous patient also showed improvement.  Her headaches diminished in frequency and intensity.  Behaviorally she was much better and seemed better able to cope and her memory improved but with the occasional hiccup.  I am pleased to mention though that she was able to go back to school and finish the next part of her educational plan and is moving on to the next step.  She mentioned to me  more than once that she felt many times that she benefitted more from the bodywork she got as opposed to medicines.  

I love what I do.  It's wonderful when my patients/clients leave happy and feeling great.  It's exciting though to see them able to return to a life they may have thought was no longer within reach.  And I am glad to be able to witness it and play some part in helping that process happen.