What is Network Care and how is it different from traditional chiropractic methods?
Network Care is a cutting edge approach that combinesNetwork Chiropractic (aka Network Spinal Analysis - NSA) and a specific seriesof mind-body awareness enhancing exercises called Somato-RespiratoryIntegration (SRI).
Network Chiropractic / NSA was developed in the early 1980’sby Dr. Donald Epstein as he was “networking” different chiropractic approachesto help people resolve tension patterns that occur when the spinal cord isover-stretched during physical injury, or when the body is under emotional,mental, or chemical stress.
The spinal cord, in addition to being an electrical system,also conducts information through oscillation, or wave-like motion. Like anoverstretched rubber band, the spinal cord tissues oscillate at a higherfrequency, or “phase”, when they are under tension. As every cell of the bodyis connected via an elaborate nerve network to the spinal cord, any change intension of the spinal cord affects the function of every cell in the body… all75-100 trillion of them!
From this, we found that most tension in the vertebra of thespine was secondary to tension patterns from the spinal cord. That’s why,instead of trying to mechanically adjust or align the spine throughmanipulation of the vertebra, a Network Chiropractor seeks to understand thephysical, emotional, and mental factors related to the tension pattern and thenfind the specific points on the spine that will help the body resolve its tensionusing the exact amount of pressure that cues the brain from stress into ease.No twisting, popping, or cracking is necessary.
What is Somato Respiratory Integration, and how does it
relate to Network Care?
Said simply, SRI is how you use Network Spinal Analysis
consciously in your life, and supports the development of your nervous system.
According to Dr. Donald Epstein, the developer of Network Care, “Somato Respiratory
Integration™ is a means of gaining the wisdom and secrets withheld from your
body mind through the use of your own hands, breath and spontaneously occurring
movements. It is an unparalleled tool for personal healing and empowerment.”
SRI is body-centered awareness training that uses movement,
focused attention, and breath to build body awareness and understanding of the
subtle cues of your body. SRI exercises also help people take the “edge” off of
stress and suffering, turn frustration into power to take authentic actions,
and experience a vast range of consciousness outside the cultural norm. Each
exercise directly relates to different breath, movement, and focus patterns
that support the spine and mind developing the strategies of self-connection and
self- correction unique to Network Care.
Why “Center of the Universe”?
There is a quote by chiropractor and philosopher Pasquale Cerasoli: "Where is the Center of the Universe? Wherever you are.
What system perceives your universe? The nerve system. When there is distortion
in your nerve system, your perception of the universe is distorted."
When we’re sick, stressed, and hurting, the symptom,
condition, or concern becomes the center of our universe. Our focus, our
thoughts, our actions all revolve around this situation. As we heal and
reconnect to our bodies, we experience reality very differently and more
effectively than we do from a tense, constricted, and non-resourceful nerve
system. Our perception of our universe, the actions we take, the way we
organize our body and time, all improve as our nerve system discovers better
function.
At Center of the Universe Network Care (“COTUNC” for short)
we help you come home to the center of your universe.
What is a typical visit to the Center of the Universe
like?
It’s like coming home.
A Network Spinal Analysis session is called an
“entrainment”, a term that means to get “in synch”. During an entrainment a
wave-like deepening of your breath will spontaneously occur, and specific
regions of your spine will begin to gently move in synch with each other as
tension releases. Your spine begins to gently adjust itself.
You’ll enter a room with five entrainment tables and relax
on one of them. You will remain fully clothed while Dr. Howe evaluates your
body using the NSA system, feeling your spine and muscles and observing your
posture and natural breathing patterns. He will then use gentle pressure on
specific points along your spine to initiate the entrainment process.
Many people start their visit in our office using SRI
exercises to transition from the daily hustle and bustle into their
entrainments. After their visits, people tend to congregate in our lobby, or on our
beautiful patio, to talk and relax before going back into the world.
A typical visit lasts about 20 minutes and will leave you
feeling more relaxed, energized, and present in your life.
Why do you use an “open” area for entrainment with
multiple tables?
That’s one of the main reasons many hospitals are turning to
open treatment areas. St. Luke’s Cancer Center at St. Luke’s Miners Memorial
Hospital, for instance, boasts that the room provides “a supportive environment
for patients to interact and gain insights from others who are experiencing
similar situations.”
The same advantage was mentioned in an article for the
January/February 2002 issue of Physicians Practice, which noted that one
oncology practice in Memphis is finding the open treatment area helps relax
patients. “After introductions, new patients are directed into the open
treatment area. There, they see a roomful of patients hooked up to machines,
yes -- but more often than not, laughing and gabbing with each other. This goes
a long way toward de-stressing the newcomers.”
Our room, which we call the “Inner Space”, has five
entrainment tables and pillow corners to relax post-entrainment, and
facilitates a supportive healing environment.
What kind of results can I expect right away?
You can expect to immediately feel more relaxed, loose, and
flexible in your body. Your breathing will become deeper and easier. In most
cases, your pain and tension levels will be significantly reduced within a
short time.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg! As
your body shifts out of “fight or flight” mode, you’ll begin to experience more
clarity, a sense of inner calm and peace, and effortless elongation of the
spine as your posture straightens. This is only the beginning of the many
life-changing benefits that Network Care has to offer. You can read about Network Research here, and look in the benefits of long term care in our Transform Your Body and Awaken Your Body sections.
How can I be sure your process will work for me?
Research involving nearly 3,000 people from the United
States, Canada, Australia, and Puerto Rico demonstrates that people receiving
Network Spinal Analysis Care experience positive outcomes relative to their
physical well-being, stress levels, emotional and psychological well-being,
life enjoyment, lifestyle changes, and overall quality of life… with 76% of
participants experiencing positive outcomes in ALL of these categories. The
longer they were in care, the greater the benefits they received, with no
apparent ceiling!
Of course, the best way to find out if this system will
support you reaching your goals is to set up a consultation with Dr. Howe!
What conditions, symptoms, and concerns can you help
with?
Network Chiropractic is not considered a “treatment” or
“therapy”. However, by releasing tension from the spine and helping the nervous
system adapt to stress more effectively, our unique process has helped
thousands of people experience relief of the following:
Dr. Howe has also worked with people experiencing conditions
such as Parkinson’s, multiple forms of cancer, cerebral palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, and more, and have helped
them achieve a higher quality of life. While we cannot say that chiropractic or NSA can treat these conditions, people experiencing a wide range of
symptoms discover greater function, peace, and quality of life by using our
system. A healthy spine is the cornerstone of a healthy immune system and body.
How often will I need to come in to get results?
Like learning a foreign language or a new skill, repetition
is important to develop sustainable results. This is why many people begin care
at a frequency of three visits per week to get the best results. That being said, each person is unique in their body and goals. Your
recommended frequency for each course of care will depend on your body’s
current condition, your lifestyle, and your overall health and wellness
objectives. During your initial visits we’ll evaluate your specific situation
and develop a program to meet your specific needs.
What scientific evidence do you have that your method
works?
A retrospective study of nearly 3,000 people through the
University of California Irvine Medical College documented significant
improvements in quality of life in the majority of people receiving Network
Chiropractic care.
The wave patterns that occur during a Network entrainment
are the focus of University of Southern California mathematician professor
Edmund Jonckheere, who is currently studying the relationship between these
wave patterns and the energy-efficiency and adaptability of the nervous system.
We invite you to join
us for our next introductory program! Just give Carrie a call at (206) 297-1126 to
reserve your space (these workshops can fill up fast, so be sure to call now to
ensure a spot).
We also realize that the
only way for you to know for sure is to make an appointment and we'll find out together! Call (206) 297-1126 and talk to Carrie.You can learn
more about our approach and get a feel for our office by attending one of our
free monthly workshops on the first Monday of each month.
What is Network Care and how is it different from traditional chiropractic methods?