Polarity Therapy & Pregnancy

By Jim Fulton, RPP Expecting mothers are often warned to be very careful about using herbs, drugs, essential oils, nutrition, and some kinds of bodywork. Polarity Therapy can offer real peace of mind and ease some pregnancy-related anxiety, as a gentle and non-invasive healing modality. Polarity Therapy practitioners know that Dr. Stone, ND, DO, DC, the founder of Polarity Therapy, used to do a lot of Perineal work. He believed this work was extremely effective, especially related to pregnancy. Pregnancy-related issues can certainly pertain to changes in physical pressures and energy flow surrounding the perineal floor and throughout the entire pelvic region. However, with bodywork policing in effect in many municipalities across North America, perineal work, performed the way in which Dr. Stone had originally intended it in his writings, is not a viable or legal option for pracitioners without a Medical, Naturopathic or Osteopathic Licence. Fortunately, within Polarity Therapy, there still remain a myriad of techniques that can respond to the same issues and many more. It is discomforts such as bloating, adema, sciatica, reflux, cramping, insomnia, fatique, constipation, back aches, swelling, incontenence, etc. that may compel a pregnant women to seek out relief during this precious time in her life. Pregnancy can surely be a time of extra stress, physically, emotionally and mentally, and a practitioner who works from a very caring, attentive and grounded space, will alone help to instill much needed calm. Talking with the mother-to-be about her concerns and worries will indicate to an experienced practitioner what to focus on and what techniques may be beneficial. As a practitioner, I will often show my client the Perineal Rock exercise (Volume I, Book II, pg 3637), which she can do herself, at home. With the use of textbooks, I have even shown techniques to a spouse so that they could facilitate some energetic releasing to the more intimate areas of anatomy, in the privacy of their own home. I tend to teach all pregnant clients exercises, air exercises for opening the chest and shoulders, and water exercises such as the Pyramid, which are useful for opening up the pelvic floor and toning the muscles. I also show them Elizabeth Hammond exercise, Happy Feet (see Autumn/Winter 2004 issue of Energy Currents) to open the pelvic area, lengthen the spine and lower back, and lead to more efficient releasing on their next visit. A vital exercise to definitely share with clients is squatting. This can be done with a partner assisting or alone. Squats enhance energy flow throughout the body, and open and relax the hips and perineum. Squatting can be rejuvenating and self-healing, ease pressure on sacrum and lower back, and is very grounding. Breathing deeply is also important as it helps to make the mothers-to-be more aware of the work being done, as well as bringing attention to their posture.

Another method for working techniques with pregnant clients is to work off the body, with visualization and by setting intention instead of having actual contact. This must still be performed only with the client full permission and understanding of the work. Techniques such as parasympathetic and sympathetic balances, sacrum work, the five-pointed star, cranial-pelvic integration, and other similar balances and releases can bring deep relaxation, releasing and healing whether worked on or off the body. During pregnancy, regardless of which trimester the client is in, it is important to note that most of the work be done very sattvicly, or gently. Skilled practitioners can work a little deeper at the clients request, with techniques such as scapula lifts, neck releases and perhaps some foot work, being mindful of areas which are contraindicated like heels and ankles. Of course depending on which trimester the mother is in, work can be done with her lying on her left side, or sitting up, which ever way she may feel most comfortable. Just make sure to have a wide assortment of pillows handy. With a client lying on her side, practitioners can effectively perform star balances, Os Calcis work, and sacrum balances. The Dural rock is also great, and of course nervous system balances, long lines, water work and cranial holds are always useful. Due to the extra burden on the lower back and the pressure of the growing infant in the womb, Sciatica is often a very common concern. I have found the protocol offered by Lisa Megidish, or variations of it, to be useful. I also use some Shiatsu points, as I will describe, and have shown them, as well as some nervous system balances to clients spouses to assist them at home. From Shiatsu, we learn about two meridians that move up the midline of the body, which are the main qi, or energy, regulators. The first is the Conception Vessel, which travels from the center of the perineum up to just beneath the mouth and then enters the body, and the second is the Governing Vessel, which goes from midway between the tip of the coccyx and the anus, flows up the spine, up the center of the skull, over the forehead to above the lips and then enters the body, where it connects to the Conception Vessel meridian. They circulate the essence of our ancestral energy. Bi-polar contacts done along these meridians can encourage balance to the energetic core. Other specific points are helpful for inducing labour, reducing labour pains, nursing support, post-partum recovery, and sciatica. For example, the Bladder 60 Point, on the outside ankle between the ankle and Achilles tendon is good for sciatic pain, and Bladder Points 27 - 34 on the sacrum area are good for labour support. I usually add a Polarity Therapy twist by working two contact points, such as using my left thumb on the sacrum points and my right hand at the ankle or foot, and balancing along the meridians. A simple self-help technique for post-partum recovery is called Mayan Abdominal massage, taught by Rosita Arvigo, who studied in Belize with a Mayan healer. This technique is used to break up the adhesions in thetissues and help restore organs to their proper positions.

As a client, you would begin by lying on your back,relaxing.Then place both hands on to the pubic bone, crossing the thumbs and sliding your hands up toward your head, pressing your fingers as deeply as is comfortable into the tissues. Gently stroke up to your navel and repeat this for about two minutes breathing slowing. Always be aware not to press so deep as to cause discomfort. Thisis best done every day for 30 days, then twice a week, and women should stop about five days before their period. This has helped with many issues involving the female reproductive system including infertility. With whatever technique or energy tracing system you may use as a practitioner, there is something very magical about connecting to that higher consciousness within the child. Working on two souls at once is a very sacred experience. I like to leave the last fifteen minutes or more to just work on the little visitor. I may just make an energy sandwich on either side of the belly or do some work focusing on the baby midline. I once had a mother-to-be who was worried because she was due soon and the baby was in a breech position (the Chinese say this is because it is holding its mother heart). After some work on the mother, I worked on dialoging with the little baby. I placed my left hand where the head was and my right hand lower, and very slowly moved my hands clockwise, asking the fetus to follow me. In a rather short time the baby had turned around and was in the proper position. I told the mother about the energy moving up the midline and told her she could do a balance on the baby herself by placing her left hand well below her navel and right hand below her diaphragm. Baby co-operated and stayed this way until delivery. Another mother commented that the delivery she experienced after seven Polarity Therapy sessions was just so different than with her other two children. She commented on how much more aware she was and how much easier it seemed. Working with pregnant clients has been rewarding, fun, educational, and inspiring. The gentle, subtle, powerful work of Polarity Therapy can bring such huge releases, relaxation, and leaps in personal awareness. I am very blessed to be able to sit nearby and watch with wonder. For a review of Dr. Stone Perineal techniques see Polarity Therapy, Volume I, Book I, pgs. 1-6, 81-89; Book II, Chart 30, pg 37. For more information about pressure points referred to in this article, check out http://www.ninemonths.com.au/ then click on Natural Therapies/Pressure Pointtherapies. For more information about MayanAbdominal massage visit http://www.arvigomassage.com/.

ENERGYWORKS
POLARITY THERAPY
Wholistic Balancing to Body, Mind & Spirit

JIM FULTON
Polarity Practitioner 705-745-5532 Peterborough, Ontario