Our Blog - Body Center St. Pete

What is Movement Therapy?

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:27:56 GMT

In the world of high-performance living, people often focus on doing more..

More workouts, more stretching, more effort.

Yet the most profound physical changes often come not from intensity, but from refinement.

What if the key to feeling stronger wasn’t doing more, but moving better ?

Movement therapy sessions offer a highly individualized approach to restoring efficiency, ease, and resilience in the body.

The result is a quiet but powerful process of rediscovering how the body is designed to move.

Many clients are surprised by how subtle the work can be—and how profound the results are.

Your body already knows how to move well. Sometimes it just needs the right guidance to remember.

A Sophisticated Approach to Movement

This type of work integrates several advanced therapeutic and movement frameworks, allowing each session to adapt to the unique needs of the individual as a whole.

The approach draws from:

● Pilates-based core integration, coordinating dynamic movement from the soles of the feet to the crown of the head

● Somatic movement learning inspired by Feldenkrais, helping the nervous system discover new movement possibilities

● Fascial movement science, including concepts like Phillip Beach’s Contractile Fields and Dr. Stephen Levin’s Biotensegrity research

● The Thoracic Ring Approach, created by Dr. Linda-Joy Lee, studies of the connection between breath, movement of the ribs and the effect on dynamic full body alignment

● Craniosacral Therapy, which focuses on the connectivity of fluid movement through all the body’s systems, and the body’s innate capacity for self-healing

These elements come together to address the body not as separate parts, but as an interconnected fascial system—one where efficiency, alignment, and breath work in harmony.

Which in turn, thinks of the body as a Dynamic Structure.

This work is deeply informed by the concept of biotensegrity, a structural principle where tension and compression distribute forces throughout a system rather than concentrating stress in individual joints.

When this system functions optimally, you get these four main benefits:

Movement becomes fluid and coordinated
Joints experience more space and less compression
Breathing supports posture and stability
Strength emerges naturally rather than through force

This work draws from our Movement Therapist, Jeremy Brown’s own biomechanical model, FAKT (Fascintegral Applied Kinematic Theory). This theory helps clients understand how energy travels through the body’s fascial network during movement.

This perspective allows even small adjustments in breath, alignment, or coordination to create meaningful shifts in how the entire body functions.

Designed for Individual Attention

Because of this integrated background, sessions can shift naturally depending on what the body needs that day. Some days may focus more on movement retraining and coordination. Other times, hands-on work may help release restrictions that make movement feel limited or strained.

This flexibility allows each session to support the client’s current goals—whether that means easing chronic tension, improving movement efficiency, recovering from injury, or refining physical performance.

The experience often feels less like exercise and more like a precise recalibration of the body’s internal architecture.

Our greatest satisfaction as practitioners comes from seeing clients apply these insights beyond the studio—while traveling, exercising, or simply moving through daily life.

Over time, many discover that their bodies feel not only stronger, but also more intelligent, adaptable, and resilient.

Because ultimately, the goal of movement therapy is not simply relief from discomfort.

It is the restoration of ease, sophistication, and confidence in the way the body moves through the world.

If this type of work sounds like it would benefit you can book with Jeremy Brown below!

Pilates for Posture and Pain

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 16:58:14 GMT

Modern life pulls the body forward..

Screens, sitting, and repetitive tasks are gradually reshaping posture and placing excess strain on joints, muscles, and the nervous system.

Pilates was designed to counter exactly this pattern. At its core, Pilates is a system of intentional movement that restores alignment, coordination, and overall body efficiency.

One of Pilates’ greatest strengths is its focus on postural awareness. Rather than isolating muscles, Pilates trains the body to move as an integrated system, emphasizing spinal alignment, rib positioning, pelvic organization, and head placement. This improves how the body stacks itself against gravity, reducing the chronic muscular overwork that often leads to neck pain, back pain, and tension headaches.

Pain frequently arises not from weakness alone, but from poor load distribution. Pilates retrains deep stabilizing muscles; especially those supporting the spine and pelvis to fire with proper timing. When the core functions efficiently, larger muscles no longer have to compensate! Thus, joints experience less compression, and movement becomes smoother and less stressful. Over time, this reduces both acute discomfort and recurring pain patterns.

Pilates is also highly adaptable, making it effective for people dealing with injuries, chronic pain, or post-rehabilitation needs. Exercises can be modified to meet the body where it is, while still encouraging improved mobility, strength, and coordination. This gradual approach helps rebuild trust in movement and supports long-term healing rather than short-term relief.

Beyond the physical benefits, Pilates sharpens the mind–body connection. Folks learn to notice subtle habits like collapsed posture, shallow breathing, unnecessary tension and replace them with more supportive patterns. This awareness carries into daily life, influencing how one sits, stands, walks, and works, often leading to lasting improvements in comfort and resilience.

In short, Pilates isn't just strengthening muscles; it teaches the body how to organize itself more effectively.

By improving posture, restoring balanced movement, and reducing unnecessary strain, Pilates offers a powerful, sustainable path out of pain and toward ease in everyday life.

We invite you to join us on Thursday evenings at 5:00pm and Sundays at 11:00am to explore how Pilates can bring awareness to your personal patterns, helping you move with greater ease, balance, and confidence.

What is the OOV?

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 16:44:56 GMT

Why We’re Bringing the OOV Into Your Sessi ons

Have you noticed a new; and delightfully playful, element mOOVing into your sessions with us lately? That’s the OOV! And we couldn’t be more excited to share why it’s become such an essential part of our approach to movement, control, balance, and lasting change.

A Fresh Perspective on Manual Therapy + Neurosomatic Work
While our practice has always combined skilled hands-on techniques with cutting‑edge neuroscience, the OOV takes that synergy even further. In the past, we focused on consciously altering posture and movement patterns. Today’s research reminds us that true, lasting change often lives below the level of conscious thought, and that’s exactly where the OOV shines.

Rediscovering the World Our Bodies Were Meant For
Modern life has an understated cost: we’ve traded the unpredictable textures of nature for flat floors and paved roads. Even our shoes; those well‑meaning “foot prisons”, limit the sensory feedback our nervous systems crave. When deprived of that rich stimulation, our balance, tone, and stability begin to suffer.

The OOV delivers a sensory feast. By introducing varied surfaces, angles, and challenges, it reawakens neural pathways dulled by uniformity, tapping into the very foundations of how we humans were designed to move.

Tapping Into Subconscious Control
Consciously, our minds can process only a handful of the millions of sensory bits streaming in every second. Yet beneath awareness, our nervous system hums with potential. The OOV bypasses that narrow conscious doorway, engaging the “reptilian” and subconscious brain centers that govern stability, breath, and automatic patterning, so that real change can take root.

Injecting Play into Powerful Change
What if the key to rewiring old movement habits is simply play? By placing your body in fun, dynamic, even unpredictable scenarios, the OOV ignites deep motor‑feedback loops. Each wobble, reach, or twist becomes a tiny lesson in balance, internal control, and breath coordination. Over time, these lessons stack up, creating more integrated posture and movement patterns that last.

Meet the Mind Behind the Magi c
The OOV was created by Daniel Vladetta, neuroscientist, prosthetic engineer, and osteopath. Who designed it as the perfect playground for subconscious motor reprogramming, axial decompression and diaphragmatic breath. In Daniel's vision, a simple foam-tool transforms into a portal for neurosomatic breakthroughs: shifting breath patterns, fine‑tuning stability, and unlocking the integrated control we all carry within us.

Why It Matters for You
When you move with the OOV at our practice, you’re not just going through the motions, you’re tapping into an intelligent system of sensory feedback and neurological engagement. You’ll feel subtle shifts in tone, notice improvements in balance, and discover new freedom in your breath. Best of all, these changes aren’t fleeting; they’re built on the deep, subconscious level where lasting transformation lives.

Ready to play, learn, and grow? Ask your therapist about how the OOV might fit into your next session. And prepare to meet your body in an unforgettable new way.

What is NET, and why is it effective?

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 18:59:12 GMT

What Is Neuro-Emotional

Technique (NET)?

Neuro-Emotional Technique (NET) is a mind-body intervention grounded in the stress concepts of Hans Selye and the biopsychosocial model.

It operates on the principle that unresolved stressors; whether dormant or current, trigger personalized physiological responses that can manifest as physical pain or illness.

Martha uses manual muscle testing, alongside manual muscle testing and kinesiology to assess physiological restrictions in the body, that are contributing to pain and dysfunction. The aim is to restore homeostasis and balance in the nervous system, thereby decreasing longheld compensivtory patterns that contribute to pain and dysfunction.

This technique of therapy has been in practice since 1982, and is currently taught in several medical and chriopractic scho

Evidence of Effectiveness based on Clincial Trials

1. Chronic Low Back Pain (Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial):

- NET resulted in significant reductions in pain, disability, and inflammatory markers, with quality-of-life improvements maintained at follow-ups.

2. Cancer-Related Traumatic Stress (Pilot Case Series):

- Short-term improvements: 71% reduction in Impact of Event Scale scores, 88% reduction in Subjective Units of Distress, 74% reduction in heart rate, and 65% reduction in skin conductance level.
- Effect sizes ranged from g = 0.20 to 0.50, demonstrating feasibility for stress symptom relief.

3. Hypothyroidism (Case Report):

Thyroid-stimulating hormone normalized from 6.87 to within 0.40–3.50 mIU/L; free T4 normalized to 9.0–19.0 pmol/L.
Psychometric indicators of stress and trauma resolved post-intervention.

4. Type 2 Diabetes (Case Report):

NET treatments over four weeks.
- Post-treatment glucose levels fell into the optimal 4–10 mmol/L range at 4 and 8 weeks.
- Self-reported depression, anxiety, stress, and pain dropped from high to normal levels

Current evidence positions NET as a versatile intervention capable of alleviating chronic pain, traumatic stress, and influencing endocrine and metabolic parameters. NET’s integration into multidisciplinary care shows promise for enhancing patient outcomes across a range of conditions.

References

1. Bablis, P., Pollard, H., & Rosner, A. L. (2022). Stress reduction via neuro-emotional technique to achieve the simultaneous resolution of chronic low back pain with multiple inflammatory and biobehavioural indicators: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 20(2), 135–144. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34924332/

2. Monti, D. A., Stoner, M. E., Zivin, G., & Schlesinger, M. (2007). Short term correlates of the Neuro Emotional Technique for cancer-related traumatic stress symptoms: A pilot case series. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 1(2), 161–166. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18648957/

3. Bablis, P., Day, R. R., Bablis, S., & Pollard, H. (2024). Treatment of hypothyroidism and stress using neuro-emotional technique (NET): A case study. Cureus, 16(4), e58231. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38745794/

4. Bablis, P., Day, R. R., & Pollard, H. (2024). Treatment of type 2 diabetes and stress using neuro-emotional technique: Case report. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 15, 1382757. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39050563/

Pilates -Discovering Strength, Flexibility, and Wellness

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 16:14:00 GMT

The Power of Pilates: A Holistic Approach to Full-Body Health

When you discover Pilates, you discover strength, flexibility and wellness. Our goal is to enlighten and inspire you on your journey to full-body health and holistic wellness. Whether you’re at the dawn of your fitness journey or possibly going through a rehabilitation, we can help. In addition, if you are looking to deepen your practice, our personalized path of Pilates offers a world of strength, flexibility, and inner harmony just waiting for you to explore.

Pilates Is More than Just Exercise

Pilates, more than just exercise, is a symphony of movement, breath, and mindfulness, meticulously composed to align the body, mind, and spirit. Its holistic approach is grounded in the core — literally and figuratively. The practice emphasizes core strength, not just as a physical foundation but as a pillar of overall well-being.

Core Strength: The Centerpiece of Well-being at Any Age

The importance of core strength transcends age and fitness levels. A study published by the National Library of Medicine, found that Pilates significantly improves balance in elderly women . It highlights core strength as a key factor. This isn’t just about having a toned midsection. It’s about creating a stable center from which strength and flexibility emanate. If you have a strong core, the risk of falls decreases, posture improves and everyday activities become easier and more efficient.

The Limitations of One-Size-Fits-All Approach

The benefits of Pilates are widely acknowledged, however the delivery method can significantly influence its effectiveness. Unfortunately, large group classes often fail to provide the necessary attention to detail and personalized guidance needed. A study in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine emphasizes the need for individualized exercise programs to prevent injuries and ensure the effectiveness of the workout regime. This is where the value of private sessions and specialized practices like the Kane School method come into the picture.

The Kane School Method: A Deeper Dive into Structural Therapy

The Kane School approach takes Pilates beyond mere exercise, and transform it into a therapeutic journey. It integrates the principles of Pilates with a deep understanding of human anatomy and biomechanics. While also offering a personalized experience that addresses your individual structural and functional needs. It’s not just about performing exercises but also about helping you have an understanding the ‘why’ behind each movement. It’s important to us that we ensure that every stretch and every contraction serves a specific purpose tailored to your body and to your goals.

Body Center St. Pete: Your Gateway to Personalized Pilates

Our way integrative approach to Pilates is a great fit for those seeking a personalized approach to Pilates. Also for those who recognize the limitations of large group classes. The Body Center St. Pete offers a safe and comfortable space where your individual goals and needs are met with tailored programs, along with expert guidance, using the therapeutic touch of practices like the Kane School method. Here, each session is more than a workout; it’s a step on a personalized journey towards heightened strength, flexibility, and holistic wellness that incorporates your whole body. Contact us today for more information or to set an appointment to get started.

Innovative and Intuitive Physical Therapy with Martha Spalding at Body Center St. Pete

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 19:50:00 GMT

From the Stage to the Clinic: Martha’s Professional Evolution

Martha Spalding’s journey in physical therapy commenced following her career in professional dance, which she pursued after graduating with a BFA in dance from the Boston Conservatory. A career-ending injury led her to pivot towards physical therapy, culminating in a degree from the University of Illinois in Chicago. This transition marked the start of a profound and impactful career in physical therapy.

Decades of Diverse Physical Therapy Experience

With over 30 years in the field, Martha’s expertise in physical therapy is extensive and varied. She has worked in outpatient orthopedics, catering to a broad spectrum of clients including professional athletes from the Chicago Bears and Bulls, various dance companies, and anyone who needed exceptional care.

Comprehensive Care and Innovative Physical Therapy Treatments

In her private practice of 20 years, Martha has integrated numerous manual therapy techniques like craniosacral therapy, myofascial release, integrative manual therapy , and visceral mobilization , alongside Pilates for rehabilitation. This integrative approach showcases her commitment to offering personalized and effective therapy and she happily brings her expertise to the Body Center St. Pete.

Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, hands-on method focused on the craniosacral system. It is designed to enhance the body’s natural healing processes and improve the functioning of the central nervous system. This therapy is particularly effective in treating headaches, neck and back pain, and stress-related disorders, aligning well with Martha’s focus on holistic healing.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release targets the fascia, the connective tissue surrounding muscles and organs. This technique involves applying gentle, sustained pressure into the myofascial connective tissue to eliminate pain and restore motion. This modality is crucial for patients dealing with chronic pain, stiffness, or injury, making it a vital component of Martha’s therapeutic arsenal.

Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT)

Integrative Manual Therapy is a comprehensive approach that combines a variety of techniques to address the unique needs of each patient. IMT can include joint mobilization, muscle energy techniques, and strain-counterstrain. It’s an effective modality for a wide range of conditions, from musculoskeletal issues to neurological disorders, embodying the customized care Martha is known for.

Visceral Mobilization

Visceral mobilization focuses on the internal organs, gently encouraging normal mobility, tone, and inherent tissue motion. This therapy is beneficial for patients with digestive, respiratory, or reproductive issues, aligning with Martha’s holistic view of the body as an interconnected system

Integrating Nutritional Therapy into Physical Therapy

Martha Spalding’s physical therapy practice is uniquely enriched by her expertise as a Nutritional Therapist Practitioner. Her approach effectively addresses a variety of health issues, especially digestive disorders, by combining nutritional therapy with her manual therapy techniques, including visceral therapy. This holistic strategy not only tackles the physical aspects of digestive health but also the dietary factors that are crucial to overall well-being. Martha’s ability to create personalized nutritional plans for her clients underscores her commitment to providing comprehensive and targeted care that accelerates healing and improves general health.

Enhancing Nutritional Health with First Line Therapy Certification to Support Physical Therapy Care

In addition to her nutritional expertise, Martha is certified in First Line Therapy, a program focused on lifestyle and diet interventions. This certification allows her to address chronic health conditions by promoting sustainable lifestyle changes. Martha’s role extends beyond treatment to education and empowerment, helping clients make informed decisions about their diet and lifestyle. This multidimensional approach to health care not only deals with immediate physical concerns but also fosters long-term wellness, reflecting the interconnected nature of diet, lifestyle, and physical health in her practice.

Pilates: A Core Element of Martha’s Physical Therapy Practice

Martha’s proficiency in Pilates, rooted in her training with Joseph Pilates’ protégé Romana Kryzanowska and later enhanced by the Balanced Body Training Program , plays a pivotal role in her therapy approach. She leverages Pilates to improve flexibility, core strength, and coordination, blending it with her dance background to offer a unique therapeutic experience.

Pilates for Rehabilitation

Pilates, a core component of Martha’s practice, is used not just for fitness but also as a rehabilitative tool. It helps in improving core strength, flexibility, and overall body alignment. This method is particularly beneficial for injury recovery, postural corrections, and enhancing body awareness, making it a perfect fit for Martha’s therapeutic approach.

Oov Functional Exercise Therapy

Martha Spalding’s adoption of Oov training into her practice is a reflection of her commitment to innovative and effective rehabilitation methods. The Oov a functional exercise tool , is designed to improve core stability, balance, and body awareness.

Specialization in Pelvic Floor Therapy

A significant aspect of Martha’s practice is her specialization in pelvic floor therapy. This specialized therapy is crucial for treating various conditions related to the pelvic floor, including issues faced by many women during pre/postpartum challenges. Her expertise in this area is a testament to her comprehensive approach to women’s health and physical therapy.

Additional Qualifications Enhancing Her Practice

Beyond physical therapy, Martha is also a certified Yoga Instructor. Her broad skill set allows her to offer a holistic approach to treatment, emphasizing the importance of a balanced lifestyle for overall health and well-being.

Contact The Body Center St. Pete to Schedule an Appointment With Martha Today

Martha Spalding’s career in Physical Therapy is distinguished by her unique blend of dance and manual therapy techniques, her specialization in pelvic floor therapy, and her holistic approach to treatment. Her dedication and expertise have established her as a highly respected and skilled practitioner in the world of physical therapy and rehabilitation. Contact Us at Body Center St. Pete and schedule your appointment with Martha today.

The post Innovative and Intuitive Physical Therapy with Martha Spalding at Body Center St. Pete appeared first on Body Center St. Pete .

From the Stage to the Clinic: Martha’s Professional Evolution

Decades of Diverse Physical Therapy Experience

Comprehensive Care and Innovative Physical Therapy Treatments

Craniosacral Therapy

Myofascial Release

Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT)

Visceral Mobilization

Integrating Nutritional Therapy into Physical Therapy

Enhancing Nutritional Health with First Line Therapy Certification to Support Physical Therapy Care

Pilates: A Core Element of Martha’s Physical Therapy Practice

Pilates for Rehabilitation

Oov Functional Exercise Therapy

Specialization in Pelvic Floor Therapy

Additional Qualifications Enhancing Her Practice

Contact The Body Center St. Pete to Schedule an Appointment With Martha Today

The post Innovative and Intuitive Physical Therapy with Martha Spalding at Body Center St. Pete appeared first on Body Center St. Pete .

Pilates Instructor Training at Body Center St. Pete – Some Amazing Reasons To Become an Instructor

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 19:40:00 GMT

10 Motivating Reasons to Become a Pilates Instructor

Whether you have 10 motivating reasons to become a Pilates instructor or just 1, it’s clear that Pilates isn’t merely a workout; it’s a transformative journey that touches every facet of life. Delving into the realm of Pilates instruction isn’t just a career path; it’s an odyssey toward profound impact and personal growth. Let’s explore ten motivations that infuse the Pilates teaching journey with unwavering appreciation:

Transformation’s Tapestry

Teaching Pilates isn’t just about physical changes. It’s about weaving a tapestry of transformation, nurturing strength, flexibility, and balance that extends beyond the studio’s confines.

Holistic Embrace of Mind-Body-Spirit

Pilates isn’t merely a series of movements; it’s a mind-body-spirit embrace. As an instructor, you become a steward of holistic wellness, guiding individuals toward harmony within themselves.

Empowering Connections

Witnessing someone achieve what they thought impossible is a remarkable experience. Pilates instructors often witness their students embrace newfound confidence and capabilities, fostering empowerment.

Cultivating Community

Pilates classes aren’t just about exercise; they’re communities of support and encouragement. As an instructor, you become the architect of a nurturing environment where individuals uplift each other.

Everlasting Learning

The journey of a Pilates instructor is an endless well of learning. It’s an adventure where you continually explore refined techniques, deeper anatomical understandings, and innovative teaching approaches. You never stop learning.

Flexibility Beyond Movement

Teaching Pilates offers not only the flexibility of movements but also in career choices. Whether it’s setting your studio’s tone or adapting to various fitness centers, Pilates instruction aligns with your lifestyle.

Healing Touch

Pilates isn’t solely exercise; it’s a therapeutic practice. As an instructor, you become part of a healing journey, aiding in recovery, alleviating pain, and contributing to overall well-being.

Harmony of Well-being

Beyond physical fitness, Pilates contributes to mental and emotional harmony. As an instructor, you play a pivotal role in enhancing not just bodies but overall health.

Bonds Beyond the Studio

Teaching Pilates often leads to lasting relationships. You become more than just an instructor; you become a mentor, a confidant, and a guide.

Contribution to a Better World

Ultimately, teaching Pilates is about contributing positively to the world. The joy of witnessing your students progress, both physically and mentally, brings unparalleled fulfillment.

Your Pilates Teaching Journey with Body Center St. Pete

If these motivations resonate deeply within you, consider joining our upcoming Pilates Instruction Course. Hosted by The Body Center St. Pete and grounded in the Kane School method , this training offers a holistic understanding of Pilates. Be a catalyst for positive change in your community and embark on a journey that nurtures appreciation for Pilates’ profound impact. Visit our registration page to sign up. Deadline is 12/20/2023 to Register.

The post Pilates Instructor Training at Body Center St. Pete – Some Amazing Reasons To Become an Instructor appeared first on Body Center St. Pete .

Tadasana in Your Asana – A Costa Rican Retreat

Wed, 06 Mar 2019 02:35:00 GMT

Pura Vida is a phrase used all over Costa Rica, which translates to “pure life”. It represents an attitude and a way of life that is a little more relaxed, easy going and simple. So what better place to practice Yoga?! Without competitively striving for some kind of shape – but rather finding the simplicity of alignment for the sake of an ease-full practice.

I’m marveling now at how I spent the last two weeks teaching alongside the monkeys and the toucans at The Yoga Farm in Punta Banco, CR. Morning classes overlooked the vista to the blue Pacific waters where students later surfed the day away. Hiking, surfing, and yoga are the main activities while a host of volunteers work the farm to provide local and organic meals.

The Yoga Farm is a notable permaculture mecca. Like-minds from all over the world flock to live in this sustainable, active, yogic community. To work the land and play in the sea is the way of life. Neighboring the Guayami Indigenous Reserve, this region of Costa Rica is the most biologically diverse coastal rainforest in the world! The Yoga Farm is a gem within a gem.

I have been invited to be the standing Yoga Teacher for the month of February at the Yoga Farm. I’m thrilled to bring my work to Costa Rica annually. Combining my method of structural therapy (Neurosomatic Therapy) with Yoga is where Tadasana in Your Asana was born! And I’m so happy to provide it to locals, volunteers and visitors.

Imbalances often happen when the body’s natural patterns and restrictions are disregarded for a superficial goal or pose. But this goal is often harmful rather than healing. The ideal instead is to create an ease-full, functional, sustainable Yoga asana practice. A practice suited to the individual, bringing more flow of energy (Prana), and illuminating what could be total mastery of a pose for their unique body. Mirroring the worry-free, non-aggressive, Pura Vida way of life with Tadasana in Your Asana is where healing and rejuvenation takes place in the body, mind, and soul. For what is mastery of life itself but happiness and ease?

Shila Tirabassi LaGrua is a Yoga Instructor, Pilates Instructor, Neurosomatic Therapist and Educator of Physical and Spiritual Alignment. Find her at the Yoga Farm in February’s in Costa Rica teaching Tadasana in Your Asana workshops and living the Pura Vida life.

The post Tadasana in Your Asana – A Costa Rican Retreat appeared first on Body Center St. Pete .

Got Headaches? The What, The Why, and How to Help

Thu, 14 Jun 2018 12:02:00 GMT

Headaches are one of the most common pain complaints. They can range in severity from slight discomfort to splitting agony, lasting anywhere from a minute to several days.

There are multiple factors that can cause headaches. Aside from dehydration, hunger, and heavy metal concerts, let’s take a look at how our structure and soft tissue can trigger headaches.

We’ll start with the most superficial layer, the cranial fascia that covers the scalp, forehead, and base of skull area. Fascia is the tissue that surrounds and connects the muscles and bones. This tissue can become ischemic (lack blood flow) from trauma, trigger points, or chronic tension. This can lead to headaches! It can also cause hair growth issues and craniofacial asymmetry. Fortunately, it is simple to release this fascia. A therapist can do it for you, or you can perform the technique on yourself: by pulling on your ears and hair, note any tight spots, and wait until the tissue releases. That way, you can help alleviate symptoms in the moment.

Going deeper, let’s discuss the role of muscles. The suboccipitals, upper trapezius, and SCM are the most common headache-inducing muscles. They all attach onto the cranium, so tension in their attachments or muscle bellies will cause discomfort into the head. They may contain tender spots called trigger points, that cause a lack of blood flow to the area, and cause referred pain into the head. Other jaw, cervical, and shoulder muscles can also trigger headaches.

Trapezius Muscle-common source of trigger points that cause headache

Now, how might the position of our bones cause a headache? Migraines are thought to be caused by a buildup of pressure inside the cranium, so the brain actually swells against the skull. This is caused by improper drainage of blood away from the brain. For the brain to drain properly, the blood must flow through the venous plexus or the jugular foramen, which are encased in bony structures. If there is a misalignment in the cranial bones or the C1 and C2 vertebrae, blood drainage might be impaired.

Muscles move bones, so with proper muscular release and re-education, the bones can find their naturally ideal alignment. That allows for adequate drainage of blood from the brain, and optimal function of all our body systems.

At Body Center St. Pete, we aim to identify the root cause of your pain. By assessing your individual alignment, we work with your soft tissue to release tension and find neutral. That includes the finer muscles and bones of the head and neck. We pay attention to detail, so that you can feel amazing!

By Zoe Cunningham

The post Got Headaches? The What, The Why, and How to Help appeared first on Body Center St. Pete .

My Two Pelvises

Wed, 02 May 2018 21:15:00 GMT

Often clients come in with a very specific pain in their sacral base (the juncture between L 5 and the top of the sacrum). It’s usually very much in the center and often constant although slightly worse when bending forward. I can usually tell what is going on based on the pantomime they use to show me where it hurts. The visual description I get referring to this annoying type of pain usually points fingers to what is known as Flexion Disorder.

We often think of the pelvis as one block of bone that has various places you could point to and call a “hip” but it’s interesting to discover that the adult pelvis has two halves with a wedge between the two in the back called the sacrum; so three parts in total. The pubic bone is not one bone at all but rather the coming together of these two halves with a cushion of cartilage between the two called the pubic symphysis.

The two pelvic halves, called the innominate bones, have very different personalities. One may be shy like a dog with his tail between his legs, while the other may be very outgoing and almost promiscuous as if implying a sexual invitation. Likewise, one may want to swing out like a wide open swinging door, while the other may want its door merely cracked slightly open. The obturator foramen, or holes at the bottom of the pelvis, may look like one is wearing cat eye glasses while the other is simultaneously wearing John Lennon glasses! Silly multi personality pelvis.

These differences can wreak havoc on the low back. All the different angles, directions, and facings put a torque force on the place where the spine ends and the sacrum begins. The question is: what’s controlling the placement of these two fraternal twin halves of the pelvis?

The answer is a question: What came first the chicken or the egg? One could argue that it is coming from the spine where the concave or convex part of a lateral curve can give distinct direction to the placement of the pelvis respectively. Another would argue that it’s all in the head… the placement of the temporal bones or the sub occipitals, or even the neck – like an “as above so below” scenario. I want to keep it fairly simple and peer into how the legs can have a huge influence on the two innominate halves of the pelvis.

Think of the how strong human legs naturally are. They were made for us to run and climb and walk for miles on end. Imagine the strength of the thighs in the back, or hamstrings tugging the pelvis down at the attachments on the sits bones. This action creates a pelvic tuck situation – one that you may use in a Pilates “imprint” or a yoga “cat” pelvis. Now imagine what tight hip flexors can do as if tugging the hip points, or ASIS, down from the front as if sticking out the buttocks, or a yoga “cow” situation. What if one side is doing “cat” and the other side is doing “cow” and the body is stuck like that wether you’re sitting, standing, or walking.? That is exactly what is going on during a flexion disorder of the pelvis. Two personalities, two different stories, one body.

Why this happens can be usually traced back to movement patterns stemming from trauma or habits, and/or spinal propensity based on scoliotic curves. What’s important here is just to keep the pelvis balanced. Understanding the disparity is the key to knowing what to do. A typical flexion disorder causing a lot of pain at the base of the spine could be helped by simply foam rolling your quad on one side and stretching your hamstring on the other. Get measured by a knowledgeable therapist and you can help yourself even at home on your own! Awareness is key and knowledge is power.

By Shila Tirabassi LaGrua

The post My Two Pelvises appeared first on Body Center St. Pete .

Our Blog - Body Center St. Pete

What is Movement Therapy?

In the world of high-performance living, people often focus on doing more..

A Sophisticated Approach to Movement ﻿

Designed for Individual Attention ﻿

Pilates for Posture and Pain

Modern life pulls the body forward..

What is the OOV?

Why We’re Bringing the OOV Into Your Sessi ons

What is NET, and why is it effective?

What Is Neuro-Emotional

Technique (NET)?

Evidence of Effectiveness based on Clincial Trials

﻿ References

Pilates -Discovering Strength, Flexibility, and Wellness

The Power of Pilates: A Holistic Approach to Full-Body Health

Pilates Is More than Just Exercise

Core Strength: The Centerpiece of Well-being at Any Age

The Limitations of One-Size-Fits-All Approach

The Kane School Method: A Deeper Dive into Structural Therapy

Body Center St. Pete: Your Gateway to Personalized Pilates

Innovative and Intuitive Physical Therapy with Martha Spalding at Body Center St. Pete

From the Stage to the Clinic: Martha’s Professional Evolution

Decades of Diverse Physical Therapy Experience

Comprehensive Care and Innovative Physical Therapy Treatments

Craniosacral Therapy

Myofascial Release

Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT)

Visceral Mobilization

Integrating Nutritional Therapy into Physical Therapy

Enhancing Nutritional Health with First Line Therapy Certification to Support Physical Therapy Care

Pilates: A Core Element of Martha’s Physical Therapy Practice

Pilates for Rehabilitation

Oov Functional Exercise Therapy

Specialization in Pelvic Floor Therapy

Additional Qualifications Enhancing Her Practice

Contact The Body Center St. Pete to Schedule an Appointment With Martha Today

From the Stage to the Clinic: Martha’s Professional Evolution

Decades of Diverse Physical Therapy Experience

Comprehensive Care and Innovative Physical Therapy Treatments

Craniosacral Therapy

Myofascial Release

Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT)

Visceral Mobilization

Integrating Nutritional Therapy into Physical Therapy

Enhancing Nutritional Health with First Line Therapy Certification to Support Physical Therapy Care

Pilates: A Core Element of Martha’s Physical Therapy Practice

Pilates for Rehabilitation

Oov Functional Exercise Therapy

Specialization in Pelvic Floor Therapy

Additional Qualifications Enhancing Her Practice

Contact The Body Center St. Pete to Schedule an Appointment With Martha Today

Pilates Instructor Training at Body Center St. Pete – Some Amazing Reasons To Become an Instructor

10 Motivating Reasons to Become a Pilates Instructor

Transformation’s Tapestry

Holistic Embrace of Mind-Body-Spirit

Empowering Connections

Cultivating Community

Everlasting Learning

Flexibility Beyond Movement

Healing Touch

Harmony of Well-being

Bonds Beyond the Studio

Contribution to a Better World

Your Pilates Teaching Journey with Body Center St. Pete

Tadasana in Your Asana – A Costa Rican Retreat

Got Headaches? The What, The Why, and How to Help

My Two Pelvises

A Sophisticated Approach to Movement

Designed for Individual Attention

References