Therapies that accelerate addiction recovery

Our objective is to use the most effective and efficient tools to help residents achieve optimum wellness, restoring resilience and resourcefulness that enhance functioning and wellbeing. Bodywork has a transformative power that facilitates healing and growth because it allows the therapist to identify and release significant issues that are held within the tissue of the body, enabling the therapist to reveal unconscious or long-forgotten memories that are interfering with the current thoughts, feelings or behaviors.

Bodywork is an umbrella term that includes many types of hands-on therapies focused on re-aligning the structure of the body and facilitating energy flow through meridians and chakras. Bodywork employs the power of human touch to heal and restore the body holistically by influencing body, mind, emotions and spirit. Many dysfunctional conditions are relieved or completely healed through various types of massage and skin care treatments, as well as specialized healing treatments such as Essential Acupressure, Craniosacral Balancing, Neurofascial Release, Nerve Mobilization, and Structural Alignment.

At St. Joseph Institute we have an integrated approach to mental health. Our mental health staff include fully trained counselors, as well as bodyworkers who are trained to identify and process issues. There is a strong correlation between the body and the mind, and full recovery from mental health issues requires bodywork to accomplish two important objectives: (1) to release from the body unhealthy patterns that keep us bound in old behaviors, and (2) to reveal through the body sources of strength and growth that can help us realize our full potential. Together, bodywork and counseling Create a level of wholeness and well-being that quenches our human thirst for authentic healing by providing: Purification, Building up, Fullness of life

Key Elements of Our Bodywork Component

Bodywork Modalities that Address Psychological Issues through a Physical Mechanism

Raindrop Therapy is a form of massage that focuses on the bilateral application of a series of therapeutic grade essential oils directly to the spinal column, as well as indirectly through the spinal referred points on the feet. Two therapists working together apply specially selected oils to the feet and spine. The physical focus of this treatment is target specific for eliminating bacteria and viruses that lie dormant in the spinal column, ready to manifest as disease when you experience stress. It is especially useful for treating long-term or recurrent viral infections manifesting as cold sores, shingles, or genital herpes. This same therapeutic approach to restoring physical well-being can be used to stimulate mental and emotional healing by selecting a variety of essential oils that heal the tissue of the nervous system, calm and soothe the emotions, facilitate mental clarity, and resolve old patterns of trauma and dysfunction.

Lymph Massage releases areas of fluid congestion and stimulates the function of the immune system. The strokes are very light and very slow. These strokes, as well as our specially formulated oils, are intended to stimulate flow in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system aids the flow of fluid in the body, easing swelling and facilitating detoxification. Lymph Massage has an added advantage in terms of its psychological impact. It helps to satisfy the need for authentic intimacy and safe, nurturing touch. In addition to creating a relaxation response, it increases mental alertness and heals emotional wounds. Old psychological wounds that accumulate in the body can cause individuals to feel stuck and unable to move forward. As it stimulates the flow of fluid in the body, our Lymph Massage releases areas of congestion, healing both motor and state-level memory. This can have a powerful healing effect on the mind and the emotions as it detoxifies the body/mind.

Somato-Emotional Release is a bodywork technique that addresses old mental and emotional patterns that are locked in the physical tissue of the body. These patterns may be connected to a physical trauma in which the body was injured. The corresponding psychological impact of the event can be stored in body tissue. Releasing the structure of the body, along with the energetic pathways, allows the memory of the event to be released, encouraging healing on all levels – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Psychological trauma can also occur without physical wounding. These events can be stored in physical tissue as well, even though there has been no physical impact. Somato-Emotional Release facilitates the clearing of congested tissue, regardless of the manner in which it was stored.

Essentail Acupressure is an energy technique that is based on a pulse diagnosis for the 12 primary meridian systems of the body. Assessment determines the need for specific releases that are often associated with mental, emotional or spiritual issues as they are held within the energy field. Using fingertip pressure to hold a sequence of acupoints, the identified meridian or body system is cleared energetically, leading to an enhanced sense of well-being and often a corresponding release of emotion and/or cognitive distortion.

Retained Primitive Reflexes is a form of bodywork that assesses the normal reflexes seen in infants during the first year of life. These reflexes are designed to disappear as a result of more advanced brain functioning. However, sometimes they are retained and fail to get properly integrated, leading to interference with posture and cognitive function, as well as the functioning of various body systems including immune, autonomic and endocrine. Retained Primitive Reflexes can also recur following incidents of physical, neurological, biochemical or emotional trauma. Once they have been triggered, they can interfere with a person’s life in dramatic ways, causing a host of physical and psychological problems. They can be released and restored through a series of bodywork techniques.

Process Therapy is a combination of bodywork and counseling. This highly efficient form of psychotherapy was designed by Jenny Sheetz, founder of St. Joseph Institute. It is an outgrowth of more than 20 years of integrating body healing techniques with the specialized dialoguing skills of mental health counseling. The ancient healing arts of the Eastern traditions, as well as a structural understanding of Western medicine, provide clearly defined “Maps of the Body” that help skilled therapists identify important issues that have been stored in the tissue of the body where they manifest as physical pain or dysfunction, distorted belief systems or lack of mental clarity, problematic attitudes, unstable emotions, difficulty managing relationships and making good decisions, or troublesome behaviors. Our highly skilled staff is trained to help clients identify these obstacles in their lives and learn to bring them to better resolution. Process Therapy includes a variety of bodywork techniques, especially Essential Acupressure, Whole Body Balancing, and Somato-Emotional Release.

Whole Body Balancing (WBB) is a treatment that is offered only by Jenny Sheetz, Director of Wellness Services. It is a unique collection of therapeutic techniques combined with counseling skills. It may include any of the treatments listed here because it is based on the needs presented by the resident at the time of treatment. A Whole Body Balancing is like taking a “bulldozer” through the body and releasing anything that is no longer useful. Both the structure and the energy fields of the body are addressed and brought into balance.

Bodywork Modalities that Primarily Address Physical Pain and Dysfunction

(Note: Although it is not the primary intention of these protocols, these techniques may also facilitate emotional release, cognitive clarity or a deep spiritual connection.)

Neuromuscular Massage is a form of therapeutic massage which has a variety of benefits, among them are: reduction of pain through the release of endorphins and enkephalins (pain reducing chemicals in the body); inhibition of pain by interfering with pain receptors; relief from pain caused by the release of sore, restricted points in the tissue and the lengthening of contracted muscle tissue; and reduction of pain by interrupting the pain-spasm-pain cycle. Neuromuscular Therapy is a specialized form of massage in which the therapist works at a deeper level to create balance in opposing pairs of muscles. This technique is penetrating and healing, yet not painful. At St. Joseph Institute we use various therapeutic grade essential oils during our treatments to reduce pain and soreness, more rapidly clear restricted tissue, take oxygen to congested areas, and promote healing. Neuromuscular Therapy also restores structural and postural integrity, providing further reduction in pain and discomfort.

Deep Healing Treatments consist of a unique union of Eastern and Western bodywork techniques that align and integrate the structure of the body, while they open and clear energetic pathways. Each deep healing treatment focuses on restoring the tissue of a particular part of the body, helping that part feel re-connected and whole, while it releases old patterns of pain, tissue memory, and restricted movement. Deep healing treatments include gliding and stretching movements, as well as gentle yet penetrating stimulation of the acupressure points of traditional Chinese medicine and marma points of Ayurvedic medicine. Selected application of sesame seed oil, and a variety of essential oils, facilitates healing for different body types and tissues. These treatments allow clients to enjoy a truly holistic healing experience, feeling integrated in body, mind, emotions and spirit.

Acupressure Massage is a combination of massage strokes and gentle, fingertip release of designated acupressure points to clear and regulate the flow of energy through the body/mind. This particular protocol was designed at St. Joseph Institute to create a healing influence for both the structural and energetic aspects of the body simultaneously. Acupressure Massage has been used successfully for people who suffer from fibromyalgia and other forms of chronic pain. This firm, yet gentle treatment soothes tender tissues, providing progressive healing that allows recipients to graduate to deeper, more corrective forms of massage.

Essential Acupressure focuses on restoring the proper flow of energy through the meridians of the body. Each internal organ has an energetic pathway that travels through the body in a way that is similar to the flow of blood. Meridian pathways are invisible to the eye, but they can easily be felt with the fingers. The energetic pathways of the body form one continuous flow that includes 360 points in which the energy can become trapped or congested, causing pain and discomfort. Acupressure clears these areas of congestion, using gentle, fingertip pressure to restore a sense of well-being to the internal organs, as well as the muscles and joints through which the meridians travel. Clearing of these points is facilitated by the use of essential oils which have an affinity for particular types of tissue. At St. Joseph Institute we have well over 100 different protocols that address and heal individual parts of the body, as well as various physical, mental, emotional and spiritual conditions.

Craniosacral Balancing is a gentle, non-invasive method of re-aligning the bones of the head, face, jaw, spine, and pelvis. Often this process of realignment eases discomfort throughout the body. Craniosacral Balancing focuses on the release of connective tissue in the torso and head, relieving uncomfortable holding patterns as it releases stored emotion and old belief patterns that are no longer useful. The release of connective tissue improves flexibility and range-of-motion, while relieving stress. Once the connective tissue has been cleared, the bones of the head, face, jaw, spine, and pelvis can be guided into their natural positions. Craniosacral Balancing is based on Cranial Osteopathy, and it is highly effective in relieving pain mechanisms of the low back, shoulders, neck, head, TMJ, and sinuses.

Nerve Mobilization is based on the anatomical reality that individual nerve fibers are wrapped by connective tissue which can become bound and restricted, causing nerve inflammation. When inflamed, nerves can become painful and prevent normal body functioning by interfering with strength and movement. Nerve pain is unique in its sensation, creating tingling, burning, stabbing or numbness. These sensations can be greatly reduced or eliminated through use of nerve mobilization techniques. These techniques include gentle pumping, rotational stretching, focused gliding, and measured resistance. Nerve mobilization uses the subtle rhythms of the body – the breath, the cardiovascular rhythm, and the craniosacral rhythm – to facilitate gentle release of restricted tissue. These techniques are often used in combination with other bodywork modalities like Neurofascial Release, Neuromuscular Therapy, and Structural Alignment.

Myofascial Release is a technique used to relieve a common cause of musculoskeletal pain called Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS). MPS is characterized by the development of trigger points, areas that are locally tender when active, and refer pain through specific patterns to other areas of the body. A trigger point in the muscle or the junction of the muscle and fascia (hence, myofascial pain) develops due to any number of causes. Trigger points are usually associated with a ropey thickening of the muscle tissue. Typically, when pressure is applied to a trigger point, pain will be felt elsewhere in the body. This is what is called "referred pain." Myofascial Release can be used to relieve pain in any part of the body, as well as in the head, face and jaw.

Neurofascial Release (NFR) is among a series of osteopathic techniques that provides a gentle means of aligning and balancing the body, including bones and soft tissues. It is a non-forceful technique that addresses the source of many problems on both physical and psychological levels, allowing the body to heal itself. Appropriate for people of all ages and conditions, NFR is accomplished by accessing the strain pattern that exists in the connective tissue of the body. The concept is based on the reality that connective tissue is the glue that holds us together by wrapping all body parts and connecting the various parts to each other. Consequently, an injury to one area can manifest as pain or dysfunction in other, more distant, areas. Using light pressure on a “release point,” skilled therapists facilitate the unwinding of the strain pattern that manifests in the body both locally and as a whole. NFR initiates a self-corrective process, using the inherent rhythm patterns of the body and leaving the person feeling whole and balanced.

Regional Unwinding is a technique that involves passive movement of the arms, legs, or head in order to release bound tissue that limits range of motion or causes discomfort. The therapist holds the client’s body in a position to initiate a natural motion that usually follows the movement pattern associated with the injury. As the unwinding occurs, the body part moves in different positions, releasing the congestion that was trapped there. For instance, a pitcher who injured his arm while throwing a ball will experience an unwinding process that naturally takes his arm through the pitching motion. At various points along the movement pattern the arm will pause, feeling as if it is caught. Often there is a noticeable release of energy in the form of heat or vibration, after which the arm continues the movement pattern. The arm naturally comes to rest when the unwinding is complete. Once the unwinding is finished, natural, pain-free movement is restored.

Energy Cyst Technique involves the release of trapped energy from a specific location in the body. Pockets of energy can get trapped in the body for various reasons. Often the impact of an injury involves a transfer of the energy of momentum as two objects collide. The energy of the impact can pass straight through the body, or it can get caught in an energetic matrix that forms due to fear or some other form of emotional energy. When the energy gets trapped, it interferes with the normal movement and function of the surrounding tissue, often causing severe pain or restricted movement that fails to respond to traditional medical treatment such as massage, chiropractic care, physical therapy, medication, or even acupressure.

Structural Alignment is a form of bodywork that addresses the structural integrity of the body in two ways. First, it addresses the connective tissue network that wraps the tissues of the body and holds them in place. During this phase of the treatment, the therapist uses a piece of equipment called a Percussion Hammer to unwind both deep and superficial restrictions throughout the body, providing immediate relief of pain and discomfort. Secondly, Structural Alignment uses carefully placed fingertip pressure and gentle joint rotation or mobilization to stabilize the foundation joints of the body, especially the feet, hips, and shoulders, as well as the vertebrae of the spine and the ribs. Proper structural alignment improves posture and well-being by encouraging improved energy flow through the bones and joints, and enhanced fluid flow throughout the body. The result is a reduction in pain and discomfort. Structural Alignment is beneficial for those who need postural correction, for individuals who have had multiple surgeries, and for people who have experienced an injury that caused the body to shift rapidly in various directions, creating pulling and tension patterns that the body has “forgotten” how to release.