*This article is a translation of one I wrote while I was practicing in Japan.

I recently conducted Session 2 for Ms. N, and I would like to report on the progress.

Before beginning Session 2, I inquired about her bodily sensations since Session 1. She reported continuing to feel a lightness in the movement of her maxilla and a reduction in the stiffness on the inside of her shoulder blades.

Reflections from the Previous Session

Lightness in the movement of the maxilla

At the end of the previous Session 1, we worked on the face. Although the face is typically addressed thoroughly in Session 7, we approached it from the first session as Ms. N was experiencing discomfort following an injury.
Restricted movement of facial bones can potentially limit the breathing movements we focused on in Session 1. The approach of removing restrictions in the zygomaticomaxillary suture (the boundary between the zygomatic bone and maxilla) and the frontomaxillary suture (the boundary between the frontal bone and maxilla), centering on the maxilla, seems to have led to a positive sensation.

Stiffness on the inside of the shoulder blades

The stiffness felt on the inside of the shoulder blades is merely a symptom, with the causes being diverse.
For example, chronic internal organ issues, reduced mobility of the diaphragm due to sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity, poor posture from desk work, eye strain from excessive use of computers or smartphones, etc., can cause the fascia around the shoulder blades to harden, resulting in a feeling of stiffness.
In Ms. N’s case, perhaps due to postural habits during desk work, the movement of the 9th and 10th ribs was notably poor. The treatment to improve mobility in this area seems to have had a direct effect.

Session 2: From Feet to Whole Body

There are numerous sensory receptors in the soles of the feet. By integrating information obtained from the eyes and ears with information from the feet, the brain can adjust balance against gravity when standing and walking.

Session 2 mainly focuses on approaching the lower body, centered on the feet.
By approaching the feet, we aim to enhance the brain’s posture-adjusting function through numerous sensory receptors and improve the alignment of the feet → knees → pelvis by organizing the fascial chain from the feet.
These two approaches lead to improvements in posture and movement.

As Ms. N herself has been aware, her tendency towards knock knees was clearly contributing to the discomfort she feels when walking.
Therefore, we approached the lower body through the fascial connections from the ankles, toes, soles of the feet to the thighs and pelvis.

Furthermore, having the client move slowly while the practitioner is approaching the fascia (AMP = Active Movement Participation) allows for a more effective session.
This is because practicing subtle movements with AMP, rather than passively receiving treatment, can more efficiently affect the receptors and nervous system surrounding the fascia.

Expected effects of AMP:

• More rapid relaxation of tension by effectively addressing the receptors surrounding the fascia
• Increased awareness of movement habits and restrictions
• Understanding new movement options and learning easier movements

Also, foot joints are connected to various parts of the body through fascial chains and meridian connections.
Meridians are pathways that transport qi, blood, and water throughout the body.

Regarding fascial chains from the feet:

• Plantar fascia ~ hamstrings ~ sacrum ~ erector spinae ~ occipital bone
• Soles of the feet ~ pelvic floor muscles ~ diaphragm
• Lateral malleolus (outer ankle) and temporal bone

Regarding meridian connections from the feet:

• Relationship between hallux valgus and hormonal balance
• Bow legs and digestive system

We extend the effects from the feet to the whole body, taking these into consideration.

When we checked at the end of the session, Ms. N commented, “I can feel that my abdominal muscles naturally engage now. It’s very strange and interesting that the sensation around my abdomen has changed, even though you hardly touched above the pelvis this time.”

In Session 2, we observed the whole body starting from the feet.
In Ms. N’s case, while she has a tendency towards knock knees and it might seem that work on the legs is particularly necessary, when observing the whole body, she felt the most significant changes during treatment of the upper body.
It appears that for her type, approaching the lower limbs (knock knees) through fascial chains during treatment of the upper body (head and arms) is most effective.

A foundation is necessary to solidify changes as effects.
I received the impression that for Ms. N, the most effective approach is a balance between lower body work as a foundation for change and upper body work for tangible effects.

In the next Session 3, we will approach the whole body more extensively.
I anticipate that the next session will also be a very enjoyable one.

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