I’ve always focused my work around relaxation, allowing the body to get used to my touch before working into the deeper layers; which is why this new technique has me super excited!
“Our nervous system responds to a whisper” – Dr. Jeff Rockwell
Dermoneuromodulation approaches the nervous system allowing it to do the work of releasing muscle tension and anxiety. There are several aspects to pain and stress, but at its core they relate to inflammation or a muscle contraction which is our body’s way of protecting itself. Whether it’s an illness or an accident, our bodies are adept at survival, but sometimes will hold onto the shield long after the battle.
This approach focuses on using a light touch combined with a skin stretch to bring awareness to the nervous system, and empower it to heal itself. It is said this work is high presence low pressure, meaning that most of the work is done at the level of the skin, but clients report this work reliving tension at deeper levels. This is because the nerves that innervate the skin are the same that innervate the muscles and joints below them.
Our brain can be thought of in two parts, our older critter brain and our newer human brain. Here is a video of Diane Jacobs explaining some of this and a bit more about DNM. Our older brain is roughly responsible for all of our survival instincts, and the newer allows us to reflect and act with purpose. This modality focuses on using the power of our consciousness over our primal habits. Before we could not rationalize that the emergency was over, but now we can down-regulate the nervous back to a healthy state allowing it to return to a homeostatic relaxed state.
My favorite part of this approach is that it is intuitive to all of us! When we hurt we often will apply a soft pressure and usually a small rub (skin stretch) to the area for either muscle pain or anxiety. As a massage therapist, I use my knowledge of muscles to pinpoint where pain might be radiating from, and the client communicates to me what feels best. This approach does require a bit more talking, but this just further engages the brain which results in a better release.
From a receiving standpoint, this work has a subtle effect that results in long term relief. You can expect to feel an unwinding, a growing warmth, and a release in surrounding area. Additionally, breathing throughout the massage will increase the effects by using a yoga breath, in 4 seconds, hold 7, out 8. The point of this is to ensure the client feels safe, which will help the body move to a state more readily to digest metabolic waste (a root cause of inflammation).
I know that most people today want deep tissue work, but it’s important to note that heavy is a pressure, deep is a place; and our nerves reach the deepest parts of our being. If in the pursuit of pain relief, we cause any pain, we’re not making any gains, just delaying the sense of pain. It is helpful to imagine your body from an evolutionary perspective to hep illustrate this.
If you were in pain, in the wild, your body would need a mechanism to override that sensation to keep you safe. Now imagine you’re being attacked, your body shuts down certain biological functions, such as digestion, to better allocate resources for survival. If we’re triggering even a ‘good pain’ we are potentially taking a step back from your wellness goal.
Dermoneuromodulation is gaining traction in the field, and my clients are asking for more and more of it during their sessions. I look forward to sharing this with you and help you learn more about your body in the process!
