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68 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k m a r c h / a p r i l 2 0 1 9 proprioceptively of its true function. It now has the ability to decelerate eccentric motion and can let go of the structural patterns it put in place for protection. Energetic Level Concepts Energy medicine has long been practiced in many cultures, perhaps longer than most other modalities, though it has been shunned by Western medicine and only now is gaining acceptance as a complementary option. Advocates for the field, like James Oschman, have gone to great lengths to compile information and research that shows the validity and effectiveness of energetic work. I was introduced to energy medicine by my father, who used microcurrent and acupuncture point stimulation in his chiropractic clinic 40 years ago. I delved deeper and integrated it professionally into my practice when I became a BodyTalk instructor 13 years ago. I came upon this powerful modality after all other approaches had failed to help my 4-year-old son with his allergies and eczema and in only two sessions he was completely cured. Over the years, I've studied and integrated a number of other techniques that rely on energetic concepts and energy as an invaluable aspect of my practice. I like to look at energetic medicine more as "informational medicine." The body's innate intelligence governs the body and all its functions—on all levels of our existence. The meridians, wei, chi, chakras, photons, and quarks that make up our energy systems are fast communication pathways that not only work within the body, but also outside the body with our environment (exteroception). Consciousness, belief systems, and the emotional aspects of the body are often included with energy medicine, since energetic modalities are some of the most effective ways to make changes in body awareness and the learned belief systems/perceptions in the body that may be causing stress or dysfunction. Integration and Organization There's a "top down" approach to our body's organization that says everything is energy manifesting into more solid form, therefore treatment should emphasize the energetic and the rest will sort itself out. The "bottom up" paradigm says the building blocks of structure come together and consciousness emerges at the top so treatment should be on the tangible, structural level. In an integrative approach, we give equal importance to each level, recognizing them as simultaneous expressions of the body. Treatment is therefore most effective and comprehensive when it integrates the structural, functional, and energetic aspects. An educated touch can hold energetic and functional intention, in addition to causing structural results, but specific applications are more helpful. One of the easiest ways to be able to affect all the levels at once is using the myofascial reciprocals. These are joints and bones in the body that have pairs on the opposite side of the body or along the midline. The reciprocals act as a system of fuses along the circuits and energetic pathways of the body and also hold the consciousness of each body part. They also have major input into the proprioceptive nervous system, which in turn gives feedback to the frontal lobe, cerebellum, and pontomedullary reticular formation. This allows the brain to get a "neural update" on the location and position of the body parts and their relationships. The reciprocals are essentially integration points for the structural, functional, and energetic aspects of the body. These reciprocal joints can be activated and balanced by massaging both areas at the same time, while a client breathes a connection between the two parts. An example is the anterior shoulder joint and the opposite anterior hip joint (front of the hip). You can balance these reciprocals on yourself by gently massaging both at the same time, while also breathing deeply with the intent to create a connection, balance, and harmony between these two points. After 30 seconds, you will notice a shift in posture and range of motion, and a sense of lightness. We recommend standing up and noticing the range of motion (before and after) in rotation and also how much length and extension you can create between these two areas. This is just one example of the 32 pairs of reciprocal joints in your body. This is a simple tool that integrates all three levels of the body and can be used before, during, or after a massage treatment to enhance shifts. Integrative Anatomy Adoption As bodyworkers, we have the luxury of being able to affect all three levels of the body-mind in our sessions. It's already happening with basic training: we all have noticed that a good bodywork session can create more range of motion and create a sense of lightness or lift (functional improvements). These reorganized tissues can then have better energy and nerve flow, which helps the central nervous system relax and feel safe enough to go into a restorative mode, often shifting the client's sense of being and expression in their life (energetic improvements). Defining the different levels of the body and fundamental concepts associated with each allows us to more intentionally develop and use our skills to create more comprehensive, lasting change. We use integrative anatomy when we're able to blend these lenses together seamlessly as we assess and treat our clients. In assessment, it is simultaneously observing structural relationships, tension areas, and postural imbalances while considering the functional dynamics, inefficiencies, or deficiencies at play in creating the pattern, and also considering informational dynamics that may be holding patterns in place, such as meridian imbalance or