NEUROFASCIAL INTEGRATION
chiro-cranial-dance-fascial-energetic fusion
Developed by Dr. Satya Sardonicus, NeuroFascial Integration (NFI) is a revolutionary approach to care grounded in traditional chiropractic, and expanded to include spinal, cranial, and fascial considerations to optimize brain and nerve function. The goal is to efficiently & effectively improve resilience so healing is faster, movement is more graceful, and there is less reliance on outside-in approaches to repeatedly "fix" pain and symptoms. NFI is an approach to facilitating growth + healing based on working with the individual rather than pushing to do something to the individual.
NeuroFascial Integration is based upon 5 Core Principles:
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​The body is self-healing + self-regulating
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The body isn't wrong; either something is in the way or it's adapting
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The body can be in defense or healing mode (not both)
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The body heals best when you work with it (not when you force it)
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The body will sustain change when you build momentum
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NeuroFascial Integration was developed to support individuals with a history of trauma (mechanical, chemical, emotional, or otherwise) - which of course everyone has and varies only in degree. As such, these principles are globally applicable for individuals at all ages and walks of life.​
The biotensegrity framework is incredibly important for this work, as our most current science tells a new understanding of the body as a tensional structure: a delicate balance between rigid bones and elastic soft tissue. Dr. Sardonicus studied a myriad of sources for this understanding, as it's not currently taught in most chiropractic (or medical, or PT, etc) schools. Particular attention is paid to the role of fascia, cranial and pelvic biomechanics, and dural dynamics.
NeuroFascial Integration works to balance dural, facial, and cranial dynamics with specific focus on optimizing CNS function. [The CNS or Central Nervous System refers to the brain and spinal cord: the master system controlling and coordinating all other bodily functions and providing an interface for our entire reality.] This work dovetails with traditional spinal chiropractic care, allowing for more complete care of the protective structures surrounding the CNS.
NFI can help with...
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Chronic Pain
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Focus Difficulties
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Picky Eaters
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Hypersensitivity
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Anxiety + Depression
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Food Sensitivities
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Sleep Difficulties
- Bedwetting
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Exhaustion / Fatigue
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Reproductive Challenges
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Hormone Dysregulation​
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Frequent Illness
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Excema, Rashes, and Skin Sensitivity
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Asthma + Allergies
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Ear Infections
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Injury Recovery
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Learning Difficulties
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Developmental Delay
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ADD / ADHD
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Fibromyalgia + Chronic Fatigue
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Digestive Distress
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Head-Banging Kids
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Toe Walking
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Postural Weakness
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Colic
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Menstrual Pain + PMS
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Just feeling like "not yourself"
foundations
NeuroFascial Integration is a unique combination of Fascial Flow Method™ Bodywork, traditional chiropractic care, craniosacral techniques, and eastern energetic healing arts.
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There is an inseparable relationship between the body and the nervous system. In order for the nervous system to do its job of keeping our bodies healthy and running strong, all parts of the body must be able to move smoothly.
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Tensegrity, or tensional integrity, is an architectural principle which describes a structure having rigid parts connected by elastic parts in such a way that the rigid structures do not touch, and incoming forces are distributed across the structure via the elastic parts. A common model of such a structure is a sphere comprised of toothpicks and rubber bands.
This concept can be useful in thinking about the human body as a biotensegrity structure, in which bones provide stability, and muscles and fascia transmit tension across the body. So when forces impact the body, they are disbursed across the entire system via the tensional network of soft tissue. This model does well to provide an understanding about how the body is able to adapt to change.
Fascial Flow Bodywork
Fascia is the web-like tissue that connects and suspends all bone, muscle, and organs in place. Specialized fascia is found in the form of ligaments, tendons, and the dura mater (a protective layer around the brain + spinal cord).
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Fascia should be flexible, fluid, relaxed, able to move and stretch in all directions.
Restrictions happen when disorganized scar tissue forms within the fascia, such as after an injury or with repetitive poor posture or other ergonomic stress, or through inflammation (such as following infection or surgery).
Because of its whole-body embedded nature, fascial imbalances and restrictions can impact one’s ability to move with ease, increase the tendency toward injury, and place undue stress on joints, organs, blood and lymphatic vessels, and nerves.
Fascial Flow Method™ Bodywork focuses on the relationship between the general fascial network and the specialized dura mater protecting the spinal cord + brain (aka the Dural Fascial Kinetic Chain). This hands-on therapy is an integral basis for NFI as fascial adhesions and tension can hold structural restrictions in place. This is a key component of providing care that truly stabilizes (rather than simply being a crutch you need over and over).
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Traditional Chiropractic
The spine is of central importance because it's protecting the spinal cord, and because of the delicate interface where nerves enter and exit the spine. Any changes in spinal joint motion interfere with nerve signaling between the brain + body (think of static on the line when you're trying to have a phone call; some information is missing and misunderstandings can occur).
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Because most information transmitted across the nervous system is unconscious, you won't feel pain most of the time when a problem is present. In fact, our bodies are so good at adapting + compensating that you can have 30-60% loss of function (in different organs) before you feel a single pain or symptom. And when one joint gets stuck, the ones around it move extra so you don't necessarily notice the restriction. Unfortunately, that stuck joint will not only interfere with nerve signaling, but left unchecked will cause arthritic degeneration (accelerated wear + tear on bones, muscles, ligaments, and discs).
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Traditional chiropractic care works to ensure fluid motion throughout every spinal joint to ensure optimal nerve signaling and keep joints healthy. It's as simple as this: good communication means the brain can run the show glitch-free, and your natural healing capacity can be fully expressed.
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CranioSacral Dynamics
Just as the spine houses the spinal cord, the cranium houses the brain. The cranium is comprised of many small bones which we used to think were fused in adults, but more recent research has shown that they actually maintain a few millimeters of movement - not much, but very important!
The brain and spinal cord are floating in a clear liquid called CerebroSpinal Fluid (CSF), which circulates to deliver nutrients and remove metabolic waste from the neurons and support cells of the Central Nervous System. As CSF is produced deep inside the brain, the cranium expands slightly, and as it flows into the spinal column the cranial bones return to their original position.
When the sutures between bones become restricted, CSF flow can become turbulent, and tensile stress is distributed throughout the interconnected craniosacral system (that is, between the cranium and the sacrum which is the pelvic end of the CSF pumping mechanism).
Biomechanical or fluid dynamic distortions anywhere in the craniosacral system can create disturbances through the entire system. This means added stress on the brain and spinal cord, and this stress compromises the body's ability to process and respond to the surrounding environment.
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NFI incorporates the most efficient + effective craniosacral balancing techniques to optimize healing.
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Energetic Considerations
Unwinding old trauma and tension patterns in a way that feels safe and lasts longer requires understanding the layered patterns of bracing. Structural tension is often sustained by energetic tension.
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Academics have suggested that the energetic channels proposed in eastern medicine may run through the fascial network (and as such that fascia may be the intersection of our energetic and physical bodies).
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Energetic bracing or other tension patterns may hold structural restrictions in place, and create difficulties in unwinding trauma and stress. In multiple eastern energetic healing traditions, energetic imbalances have been recognized for their association with emotional difficulties as well as a host of global health challenges.
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NFI draws upon reiki, acupressure, yoga, and neuroemotional technique, and synthesizes these systems for efficient unwinding of energetic bracing patterns. This unique addition to structural care creates gentler, more effective, and more sustainable change...without requiring extensive visits to multiple providers.
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Our unique approach allows for energetic and structural unwinding all within a single session. When more intensive energetic support is needed, we also offer Chrysalis Counseling sessions.
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