Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/588318
F r e e S O A P n o t e s w i t h M a s s a g e B o o k f o r A B M P m e m b e r s : a b m p . u s / M a s s a g e b o o k 27 the sternal head of the sternocleidomastoid. I showed Miss D. how to self-treat these muscles as well. Returning to her quadriceps muscles, I replicated the exact pressure used earlier in the session and Miss D. did not react or recoil. Increasing my pressure, I was able to thoroughly explore and treat the quadriceps, locating and isolating selected areas of restriction—a far more normal reaction. I could see that Miss D. and her mother were astonished at how quickly the leg sensitivity had diminished after treating the girl's neck; an explanation was in order. "The reason the neck treatment affected the lower body so dramatically has to do with central sensitization, an overexcitement of the central nervous system. You could think of the central nervous system as a master volume switch: if it is overexcited, everything below it will also be excited. Conversely, turn down the volume in the central nervous system and everything below quiets down in response. Research has shown that certain areas of the body, such as your neck, can cause central sensitization much more quickly than other areas. By quieting a powerful source of input like your neck, the rest of your body also relaxed, making it possible for me to massage your legs more precisely. Pretty cool, huh?" "Very cool!" Miss D. exclaimed. "That seems like magic," her mom said. "Just the magic of our incredible nervous system," I responded. Douglas Nelson is the founder and principal instructor for Precision Neuromuscular Therapy Seminars and president of the 16-therapist clinic BodyWork Associates in Champaign, Illinois. His clinic, seminars, and research endeavors explore the science behind this work. Visit www. nmtmidwest.com, or email him at doug@nmtmidwest.com. You could think of the central nervous system as a master volume switch: if it is overexcited, everything below it will also be excited.