HUMAN HOLISTIC WELLNESS
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy/ Learning
WHAT IS EAP?
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) offers experiential psychotherapy sessions to diagnosed or diagnosable clients. Natural horse and herd behavior are observed and honored as a model for healthful human behavior. Equine-assisted exercises are designed to elicit metaphors and self-awareness. These exercises help clients recognize their own behaviors and patterns and create their own solutions. The term Equine Assisted Psychotherapy was coined by Greg Kersten in the early 1990s to describe the exercises he created to work with at-risk and incarcerated youth. The field of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy continues to grow and adapt to every type of psychotherapy client.
WHAT IS EAL?
Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) offers experiential communication, teambuilding, and personal growth experiences to individuals, groups, families, and corporations. Equine nonverbal communication, herd behavior, and equine development demonstrate successful interaction as an example for human relations. Equine Assisted Learning is a valuable component of corporate retreats, church group activities, and family growth seminars. EAL is not psychotherapy and does not require facilitation by a licensed mental health professional.
EQUINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY(EAP) AND EQUINE-ASSISTED LEARNING (EAL)
Equine-assisted work honors the natural behavior of horses and herds. Horses are skilled at keeping themselves safe and adept at survival; their natural behaviors are optimal for mental and physical health. In many respects, humans have lost the instinct to keep themselves safe and healthy. We entrust horses to show us the way back to health. Work and observation in the horse world lends itself to extremely powerful metaphors into our own patterns, strengths, and the nonverbal messages we send out. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy implements the power of equine-assisted principles and exercises to introduce therapy clients to themselves in a modality that has been found to be more efficient and less threatening than traditional talk therapy. Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) is a field of practice based on the successes of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. We have learned that everyone can benefit from equine-assisted work - not just therapy clients. EAL uses equine-assisted principles and exercises in a variety of "arenas" from corporate retreats, to church groups, personal coaching, parenting and family dynamics and more!
WHO IS DOING EAP AND EAL?
Individuals certified in EAP and EAL by Greg Kersten are successfully implementing his equine-assisted philosophies worldwide. It is recommended that EAP be facilitated by a team consisting of a licensed mental health professional and an experienced horse professional. While it is possible for a licensed therapist with significant horse knowledge to facilitate EAP sessions solo, it is not optimal for observation, objectivity, safety, and support. The "team approach" is also recommended in the practice of EAL, with at least one of the facilitators being an experienced horse professional. A licensed therapist is not required to facilitate EAL. While it is possible for someone with significant horse knowledge to facilitate EAL sessions solo, it is not optimal for observation, objectivity, safety, and support. Currently, our herd at 906Wellness/Equine performs EAP/EAL sessions with certified facilitators Tammy Tomich and Frank Gandee.
Leduc Lymphatic Management
The most common causes of secondary lymphedema are injury, surgery, and radiation treatment. Primary lymphedema is congenital and is usually diagnosed by adolescence. In each case, lymphedema occurs when lymphatic fluid builds up in the soft tissues of the body, usually in the arm or leg. Lymph vessels collect a fluid that is made up of protein, water, fats, and wastes from the cells of the body. Lymph vessels carry this fluid to lymph nodes. Lymph nodes filter the waste materials and then return the fluid to your blood. If the nodes or vessels become damaged or are missing, the lymph fluid cannot move freely through the system. The fluid can then build up and cause swelling, known as lymphedema. Not all edema is lymphedema. However, there is a component of lymphatic imbalance in all “Edemas.” Proper education, treatment, and management can prevent flair ups, reduce volume, maintain tissue integrity, and increase functional mobility.
JFB Myofascial Release (JFB MFR)
Myofascial Release is a safe and very effective hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into the Myofascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion.
Fascia is a specialized system that spreads throughout the body in a three-dimensional web from head to foot. Fascia surrounds every muscle, bone, nerve, blood vessel, and organ. Fascia has three components; elastin (stretch), collagen (strength), and ground substance (support/protection).
Myofascial restrictions are created by trauma, inflammatory responses, and/or surgical procedures. These restrictions can produce tensile pressures of approximately 2,000 pounds per square inch on pain-sensitive structures that do not show up in many of the standard tests (x-rays, myelograms, CAT scans, electromyography, etc.).
We use many Myofascial Release techniques and movement therapy for each individual. We promote independence through education in proper body mechanics and movement, self-treatment instruction, enhancement of strength, improved flexibility, and postural and movement awareness.
What conditions or compromises can benefit from the MFR approach?
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Fibromyalgia
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Headaches
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TMJ
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Chronic Pain
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Myofascial Pain
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Muscle Tightness
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Restricted Mobility
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Athletic Imbalance
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Carpal Tunnel
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Bursitis
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Chronic Fatigue
Prenatal Massage
Prenatal massage is therapeutic bodywork that focuses on the special needs of the mother-to-be as her body goes through the dramatic changes of pregnancy. It enhances the function of muscles and joints, improves circulation and general body tone, and relieves mental and physical fatigue.
Other potential benefits of prenatal massage:
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Reduced back pain
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Reduced joint pain
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Improved circulation
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Reduced edema
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Reduced muscle tension and headaches
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Reduced stress and anxiety
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Improved oxygenation of soft tissues and muscles
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Better sleep
Therapeutic massage has been used for centuries to improve overall health, reduce stress, and relieve muscle tension. Massages during pregnancy have often received ambivalent responses from the health community regarding their safety and purpose. Modern investigation and research has shown that prenatal massage therapy can be an instrumental ingredient in women’s prenatal care and should be given careful consideration. One study at the University of Miami School of Medicine suggests that massage therapy might have multiple positive effects, including:
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Lowered anxiety
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Decreased back and leg pain
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Improved sleep
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Decreased levels of the stress hormone norepinephrine
Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle hands-on treatment that may provide relief from a variety of symptoms including headaches, neck pain, side effects of cancer treatment, and many others.
CST uses a light touch to examine membranes and movement of fluids in and around the central nervous system. Relieving tension in the central nervous system promotes a feeling of well-being by eliminating pain and boosting health and immunity.
The focus of CST is a gentle placement of hands to assist release of the body’s connective tissue, or “fascia.” Fascia (Latin word for “band”) is a covering found throughout the body including organs, glands, nerves, muscles, blood vessels, brain and spinal cord. This covering forms a body-wide connective network. CST is based on the idea that the body is interrelated at all levels.
CST is thought to improve efficiency of biological processes through boosting inherent self-regulation, self-correction and self-healing. The therapy can be used successfully with children and adults.
What conditions may craniosacral therapy (CST) help?
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Chronic pain.
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Fibromyalgia.
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Migraine headache.
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Complex regional pain syndrome.
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Fascial adhesions.
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Multiple sclerosis.
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Neuralgia.
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Neurodegenerative diseases.
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Temporo-mandibular joint syndrome.
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Stroke.
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Post-concussion syndrome.
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Speech impairment.
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Epilepsy.