Therapies we offer

By Alex & Cintain Quintana

ACUPUNCTURE

Based on the theories of traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture consists in the insertion of fine needles at specific points on the surface of the body. Recent scientific research indicates that this can positively influence tissues locally to relieve swelling and pain, as well as regulate the internal functions of many organ systems. According to the tenets of Chinese Medicine, acupuncture regulates the flow of substances throughout the body. 

Contraindications for acupuncture treatments:

  • Bleeding disorders, such as hæmophilia 

  • Blood thinning medications

  • Infectious skin disorders or diseases 

  • Seizure disorders

Acupuncture treatments are delivered by Cintain Quintana, who gained his Traditional Chinese Medicine qualifications at the Academy of Classical Oriental Sciences of Nelson, BC, Canada. Cintain is one of a very few therapists in the world that uses acupuncture together with structural integration, visceral manipulation and craniosacral methods to bring the body to balance in a truly holistic way. 

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE

In the book “Myofascial Release”, inspired by John Barnes’ research, author Ruth Duncan says that

‘fascia shortens, solidifies and thickens in response to trauma, anything physically or emotionally injurious to the body, inflammation and poor posture, causing the body to lose its physiological adaptive capacity. In general we call this a ‘binding down’ of fascia. Deformation and distortion of any part of this network imposes negative stresses on distant aspects  and on the structures it divides, envelops, enmeshes and supports, and with which it connects. This alone can alter organ and tissue significantly.’

Myofascial Release addresses the connective tissue matrix of the body directly, to improve the function of the muscles, joints, bones, and other structures of the body. The mechanisms for the functioning of this therapy have been borne out by some of the most cutting-edge scientific research into the nature and properties of the matrix of connective tissues that supports, connects, and organises the tissues of the body, popularly known as ‘fascia’.

ANATOMY TRAINS STRUCTURAL BODYWORK AND INTEGRATION (fascial release)

Structural Integration, also known by the trade name ‘Rolfing’, is a form of deep-tissue manual therapy originally developed by Dr. Ida Rolf, Ph.D. Its main intent is harmonising the structures of the body with each other in the field of gravity. Structural Integration doesn’t “cure” anything; it simply optimises the way your body organises itself in three-dimensional space to allow it to function at its best. The Anatomy Trains “style” was developed by Tom Myers, a direct student of Dr. Rolf and a worldwide-renown expert in anatomy and manual technique. The treatment is delivered in a series of 3 or 12 sessions that thoroughly address all parts of the body in order to integrate their function. 

Tom Myers often says to his students that

‘All therapeutic interventions, of whatever sort, are a conversation between two intelligent systems. Whatever is happening to the tissue under our hands, we are also communicating with the client's nervous system.’

Therefore this work requires the client’s involvement in their process, and its benefits multiply, deepen and extend through their participation.

Contraindications for myofascial release and structural bodywork/integration

  • Fever

  • Systemic infection

  • Acute circulatory conditions and acute blood disorders

  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

  • Aneurysm

  • Uncontrolled hypertension 

  • Severe undiagnosed swelling or pain

  • Rapid weight gain or loss

  • Undiagnosed breathing, bowel and bladder difficulties

  • Open wounds

  • Fractures during the healing process

  • Skin inflammation/infection

  • Recent radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment

  • Osteoporosis

  • Rheumatological conditions

  • Severe varicose veins


Myofascial release treatments as taught by John Barnes are are provided by Cintain, who studied with John Barnes in the United States. Both Alex and Cintain Quintana are qualified to deliver sessions using Tom Myers’ Anatomy Trains concept.


VISCERAL MANIPULATION

This osteopathic technique consists of gentle manual manipulations of the connective tissue of the abdomen and chest, which are intended to positively support the functioning of the internal organs of the body.

It was developed and popularised by Jean-Pierre Barral, DO (one of TIME magazine’s Top Innovators to watch in the new millenium) and is based on the premise that free movement of all the structures of the body is vital for health.

In the words of one of Barral’s closest students Alison Harvey who practices in Ayr, Scotland, visceral manipulation is a

“hands-on therapy with the specific goal of encouraging normal tone and movements both within and between the internal organs, their connective tissues, and other structures of the body where normal motion has been impaired.”

By facilitating circulation and movement, VM improves the way the body “talks to itself”, i.e., it improves function and facilitates recovery from the effects of lifestyle, ageing, and traumatic events such as surgery.

Contraindication for visceral manipulation treatment:

  • Inflammation in the acute stage (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, fever)

  • Abdominal aneurysm

  • Bleeding ulcer

  • Thrombosis

  • Hemorrage or fracture

  • Pregnancy (gentle motility treatment is possible but the manipulations are not advisable)

Please inform us prior your treatment if:

  • You suffer from diabetes

  • You are taking anticoagulant medication or cortisone

  • You have recently had a radiation therapy or chemotherapy

  • You suffer from dilation of superficial veins

  • You have a foreign body fitted - i.e. pacemaker, IUD, stints


Visceral Manipulation is practiced by both Alex and Cintain Quintana, who gained their qualifications from the Barral Institute through numerous seminars taught in the United Kingdom and the USA.



CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY

Another therapy originating in the osteopathic tradition, craniosacral therapy is one of the gentlest form of hands-on therapy in the world. It has been variously described as working with the articulations of the bones of the skull, the membranes within it that support and protect the brain, and the movements of fluids within them. As its name implies, the therapy consists of delicate, gentle touch to the head, spine, and sacral bone. 

Craniosacral therapy is often used following car accidents, whiplash injuries, concussions, as well as part of the surgery rehabilitation. In craniosacral therapy we work on the cranial wave. Our teacher, Hugh Milne, describes it as: ‘the most discrete of the three motion patterns’ - the three motions being our breath, heartbeat and cranial wave. He explains that

‘The cranial wave seems to have its source in involuntary muscle contractions that take place throughout the body in a tidal, ocean swell-like motion… This involuntary motion is transmitted to the spinal cord and brain via the spinal nerves, the bones, the cranial base, and the mediastinum. The cranial wave is also called the cranial rhythm or cranial pulse’.  

Craniosacral therapy can be a valuable contribution in treatment of chronic pain. In words of John Upledger - one of the great craniosacral therapists and bodywork teachers of our times

‘Chronic pain can be anywhere in the body and for any reason. If it continues long enough, it will affect and compromise the workings of the craniosacral system. If the cause of the bodily pain outside of the craniosacral system is corrected but the craniosacral system is not effectively treated, the pain may continue. This is because the craniosacral system problem remains. These patients frequently end up in psychotherapy or may be considered hopeless. Sometimes the focus of the conventional therapy is on teaching them to live with remaining pain. Correction of the craniosacral system malfunction is often the finishing touch that restores this patient to a normal, pain-free life’.

Contraindications for craniosacral therapy:

  • Acute stroke that occurred 6-8 weeks ago

  • Recent skull fracture that occurred 6-8 weeks ago

  • Increased intracranial pressure

  • Cerebral aneurysm

  • Cerebral hæmorrhage 

  • Cerebral vascular condition with active bleeding

  • Spina Bifida

  • Arnold Chiari Malformation

  • Cerebrospinal fluid leak 

Both Alex and Cintain practice craniosacral therapy at the Healing Space, and both are certified by Milne Institute. Craniosacral therapy is a wonderful complement to any of the above treatments, but we frequently employ it on its own to assist in cases of whiplash, concussion, extreme stress, or just to relax and explore the silence and the stillness inside the mind.

It is important to remember that all therapies offered at Healing Space can be performed together when and as needed. They don’t need to be treated as separate techniques dedicated to separate parts of the body. We treat the body holistically, and we have studied for many years to be able to use whatever is needed by a certain person at a certain time, in the most efficient and effective way. We have a great respect for a human body and try to meet it where it is at the time of your appointment. We hope that with this holistic approach, we can make a positive difference in the lives of our patients and our own. We hope that we can meet you along your journey and improve the way you feel within and about your body. 


Sources:

Jean Pierre Barral & Pierre Mercier, Visceral Manipulation (revised edition), 2005

Ruth Duncan, Myofascial Release, 2014

Alison Harvey, A Pathway to Health. How Visceral Manipulation Can Help You, 2010

Hugh Milne, The Heart of Listening. The Visionary Approach to Craniosacral Work, 1995

Tom Myers, Anatomy Trains. Myofascial Meridians for Manual and Movement Therapists, 2014

John E. Upledger, Your Inner Physician and You. CranioSacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional Release, 1997

Alex Quintana

Alex has been a therapist since 2014. Her love of anatomy has led her onto many travels to meet and learn from some of the best alternative health teachers in the world of myofascial, visceral and craniosacral therapy.

She lives in Edinburgh, Scotland with her husband Cintain. In her free time she can be found in her creative web-design studio where she lets her inner artist go wild: https://aqwebdesigner.com/.

To book a treatment with Alex go to: https://www.healingspaceedinburgh.com

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What We Do: Craniosacral Therapy

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