Mindfulness and Myofascia the mindbody connection in work
Mindfulness and Myofascia the mind/body connection in work with wounded warriors Greg Hancock, MPH & Brooksi Bottari, MA, LMHC
Mindfulness ● What? a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique. ● Why? mindfulness is a complementary alternative medicine (CAM). VA studies have shown that 82% of veterans have used at least one CAM and that 99% are willing to using them in their recovery process from PTSD and related physical conditions.
Wounded Warrior Project Odyssey is a 90 -day program that begins with a multi-day event facilitated by WWP teammates trained in adventure-based counseling and experiential learning. Participants are challenged through a variety of activities such as rock climbing, kayaking, high ropes courses, and the like, while continuously staying engaged in psycho-education. Project Odyssey not only improves mental and emotional well-being, but provides additional tools to help with PTSD, combat stress, and other invisible wounds of war.
Survey Results The four most common self‐reported injuries and health problems among warriors include: Post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – 77. 4% Sleep problems – 75. 0% Back, neck, or shoulder problems – 72. 6% Depression – 70. 1% About 3 in 10 warriors (27. 5% in 2017 and 28. 9% in 2016) need the aid and attendance of another person because of their injuries and health problems.
Myofascial Release Fascia is a web like tissue that connects a variety of structures in the body together, the term 'myofascia' is a more commonly used term and relevant to this discussion, all this means is muscle (myo-) and its surrounding web of connecting tissue (-fascia).
MFR and Trauma The myofascial release (MFR) perspective believes that unresolved trauma lies within the intricate matrix of the myofascial, or connective tissue that holds tissue memory, and that the myofascial system is the “record keeper” of memory in the body-mind complex. When trauma occurs, whether physical, mental, emotional or a combination of these, people respond with a fight-flight or freeze response. The freeze response is believed to be what holds us back from fully and naturally healing from a traumatic event.
Vagus “wandering” Nerve Directly linked to all of our major organs Stimulating the vagus nerve can begin rewiring the brain to read non-threatening stimuli which causes anxiety in a truly non-threatening way. This reframing is the beginning step in overcoming PTSD, STSD, and other misfirings of the brain which result in a negative physical response.
MFR and the Vagus 1. Easiest is through slow diaphragmatic breathing. 2. Singing, humming, playing a wind instrument 3. Massaging areas (MFR) that are innervated by the vagus: face, lateral/anterior neck, ribcage, abdomen. 4. Stretches that compress and decompress the vagus nerve ○ Rocking which gently oscillates the head ○ Neck stretches ○ Abdominal stretches ○ Gentle flexing and extending of the spine 5. 6. 7. 8. Chewing, sucking, gargling Positive social interactions “Feeling safe in the arms of another, or another appropriate mammal. ” Dr Stephen Porges Meditation and yoga
Demonstration
- Slides: 9