Feel

the REST of the week #70

It’s the rest of the week? What would it feel like to let go and rest right where you are, right now?

Samborondon, Ecuador

Do you sometimes feel like you cannot rest until you’ve figured it all out logically—you’ve crunched the numbers, done (or read) the research, and have seen with your own eyes?

Are you tempted to tackle your fatigue with strategies and plans for improving your ability to rest?

What would it look like to release that pressure and simply feel what it feels like to be bone tired or maybe emotionally exhausted? To notice all the tired places and ways?

What might you discover if you tuned in to feeling a little more, and managing a little less?

When I assess a patient in my myofascial release (MFR) practice, I observe their posture in standing against gravity and then lying down. Noticing where the body is getting pulled out of alignment provides a clue as to where restrictions in the fascia are. It helps me know where to begin.

But those restrictions are invisible.

The fascial system is a fluid filled network of connective tissue that surrounds and supports every single structure in the body. Restrictions in this system are often the root cause of pain, limited mobility, and poor posture—and yet, they go undiagnosed and untreated because we cannot detect them visually as they do not show up on medical technologies such as MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, or ultrasound.

So how do I find those restrictions?

We feel for them. And by we, I mean me and the person receiving treatment.

I address obvious restrictions pulling the body out of balance. As I treat, I am constantly feeling for how the fascia releases, which leads me to other areas of tightness.

But, arguably, the most helpful information comes from the person I am treating—when they are able to feel what is happening in their body, it is easier to get to the root restrictions.

(For example, I may be treating someone’s shoulder and they feel tingling in their opposite leg—and suddenly remember that a few years ago they had a fall involving that leg that they’d completely forgotten about).

Feeling is critical to the healing journey because many of our restrictions come from internal bracing/muscle guarding in defense against pain, stress, or trauma. Releasing these restrictions brings those feelings to the surface and creates the opportunity to let go at many levels.

Feeling can be great. It can also be uncomfortable and even painful. Either way, it’s part of the process that opens us up to receive and creates space for healing, freedom, and, of course, rest.

May your rest be sweet.

Alicia