The Spinal Flow Technique
by Dr. Carli Axford
All living beings possess a natural healing intelligence that has the ability to maintain and sustain life. It is this innate intelligence that allows the body to heal a cut finger, broken bone or raise the temperature to promote healing when we’re sick. This intelligence is what moves us into a state of ease and wellbeing. This intelligence is contained within the nervous system and flows through the spine, feeding every cell, organ and tissue of our body. When we reinstate this flow, we create Spinal Flow, the optimal place to transform our wellbeing.
When our nervous system becomes overloaded with stress, it creates spinal blockages or subluxations in our spine and the flow of our innate intelligence is disrupted, creating pain, dis-ease or illness. Imagine all of the stress we experience in our daily lives. Our body perceives any type of stress or trauma as “danger” and locks our spinal column to protect the most important organ of our body, the brain and spinal cord. This puts our nervous system into a sympathetic state of fight/ flight survival mode, inhibiting the body’s natural ability to learn, heal, digest and grow. Spinal blockages caused by our inability to process life’s stressors can have devastating effects on human health and wellbeing. Your nervous system – the brain, spinal cord and nerves – control and coordinate everything in your body. When there is a spinal blockage, the nerves that extend from the spinal cord are restricted. This means the nourishment and flow between our organs, cells, and tissue is disrupted, decreasing life force further and contributing to more pain, dis-ease and illness.
Spinal Flow Technique is designed to remove spinal blockages and help the brain reconnect with the body and its experiences through the 7 Gateways of the spine and the 33 access points. The 7 Gateways of the Spine is a tool and guide to help our clients understand the root cause of their pain, symptoms and illness. It is the main assessment tool used in Spinal Flow Technique. Each gateway holds different symptoms and stories of an individual’s life experience, particularly with stress and shows the pathway of the nerves to the different organs, tissues and cells that it supplies.
Spinal Flow Practitioners assess clients through anatomical posture, gateway and palpation assessment to find blockages along the spine. The treatment is led by a gentle touch on the 33 access points on the spine to communicate directly with the nervous system. Access points are areas mainly in the sacrum and cranium where it is rich in dura mater, the outermost layer of the membrane which surrounds the brain and spinal cord. With each contact on the access points, the body recognizes it as a gateway to ease, initiating the life force to flow through the spine and soften, shift, and release blockages along its path. As blockages are cleared, life force can flow through our spine to promote healing. Through Spinal Flow Technique, we learn to trust the body’s innate intelligence by restoring the mind-body connection to release stress and trauma from the nervous system.
Dr. Carli Axford
The Spinal Flow® Technique was developed by Dr Carli Axford over 20+ years of study, research and clinical observation.
She has a double degree in chiropractic and spent time at the world renowned Texas Back Institute before combining her extensive experience with her studies in India and in many other modalities. She recognises the power of the body’s ability to heal itself as the best way to treat pain, illness and dis-ease.
After refining her methods to find the most effective way to help people heal, the Spinal Flow® Technique was born.
Nurturing the Growing Spine
The Benefits of the Spinal Flow Technique for Infants, Toddlers and Children
As parents, we strive to provide our children with the best opportunities for growth and development. However, while we focus on their education, nutrition and overall well-being, it's essential to recognize the health of their spines.
Stress can affect children's bodies in similar ways it affects adults, potentially leading to spinal blockages. Even a newborn baby can experience the effects of a stressful pregnancy or birth, which may lead to spinal blockages in their delicate spine. A child's body often sends signals when something is amiss, and understanding these signs can help identify potential spinal blockages. The specific symptoms may vary based on the child's age and developmental stage but some indicators may be disrupted sleep, loss of appetite, increased food sensitivities, decreased immunity, heightened anxiety & worry, persistent fatigue or hyperactivity.
The gentle Spinal Flow Technique not only helps to regulate the nervous system but offers a series of benefits for infants, toddlers and children that support their growth, development, and overall health in the most formative years.
Foster Optimal Development: The early years are pivotal for spinal and nervous system development. Our gentle adjustments aim to ensure proper spinal alignment, supporting healthy growth and preventing potential complications down the line.
Promotes Proper Posture and Alignment: Children often engage in various activities that can impact their posture and spinal alignment. From carrying heavy backpacks to prolonged periods of sitting, looking down at electronic devices or contact sports, these habits can stress their developing spines. Spinal Flow removes blockages and promotes the body's self-healing mechanisms to improve posture. We can help children maintain better spinal health and prevent future issues by addressing spinal blockages early on.
Enhances Nervous System Function: The spine plays a crucial role in the communication between the brain and the rest of the body through the nervous system. Spinal Flow helps to optimize nervous system function by removing any interference or blockages along the spine. This can enhance the overall neurological development of children, supporting their cognitive abilities, coordination and motor skills and it can lead to better digestion, improved sleep patterns, and an efficiently operating immune system for your child.
Boosts Immune System Function: A healthy spine contributes to a robust immune system. Spinal Flow sessions helps remove any interference or stressors on the nervous system, supporting immune system function. By ensuring that the spine is aligned and free from restrictions, children may experience improved immune response and resilience to common illnesses.
Encourages Mind-Body Connection: Spinal Flow is deeply connected to emotional and mental well-being. Children can develop a greater awareness of their bodies and the connection between physical and emotional states by receiving gentle, nurturing touch along the spine. This can foster a sense of calm and relaxation and improve overall emotional balance as we move the body into the parasympathetic response (rest, digest, heal).
The spinal health of our children is a vital aspect of their overall well-being. The Spinal Flow Technique provides a safe, gentle and practical approach to supporting children's development and maintenance of healthy spines. By promoting proper alignment, optimizing nervous system function, and supporting growth, Spinal Flow can contribute to their long-term health and vitality.
When introducing your child to the benefits of Spinal Flow, we understand that working with young children especially infants and toddlers requires flexibility and creativity. During Spinal Flow sessions, we'll adapt our techniques to keep them happy and engaged, whether they're on their parent's lap, positioning them on their parent's tummy or the treatment table, or even nursing. We are here to support you and your child every step of the way.