Massage for Nervous System Health and Inner Balance
Dermoneuromodulation:
DermoNeuroModulation (DNM) is a gentle, hands-on therapy that offers relief to individuals coping with musculoskeletal issues like chronic pain, stiffness, or limited mobility.
Dermo refers to the skin, neuro relates to the nerves, and modulation involves the gentle adjustment or regulation of these components.
As a whole, DNM focuses on the intricate connection between your brain, skin, nerves, and muscles. It is based on the principle that your skin is densely packed with nerves, and these nerves play a major role in sensing your surroundings and sending signals to your brain. By gently adjusting these nerves at the skin level, DNM aims to change the quality of the messages sent to the brain. The brain, in turn, adjusts the activity of muscles innervated by those nerves, encouraging them to relax in a way that goes beyond traditional massage approaches. This process of making change and introducing safety to the body from within the body can also create a trickle-down effect that influences the central nervous system and prompts a deeper sense of ease throughout the body.
One major principle of DNM is to avoid any discomfort during treatment. The client may experience different or new sensations compared to what they are used to, but overall, every technique should feel pleasant or neutral. This modulation and regulation of the nervous system can be especially beneficial for individuals with chronic conditions like fibromyalgia, or those recovering from sports or motor vehicle injuries. If you have zones in your body that are so tender you can’t even touch them without discomfort, DNM may be able to provide you relief.
The real beauty of DNM is that the whole treatment is based on what YOU feel during the treatment. As a technique, DNM is very slow and gentle, and focuses largely on making changes in the skin with gentle stretching and twisting. A few techniques involve certain positioning, while others might require you to activate certain muscles by pressing against your RMT’s hand. DNM can be applied to the whole body, including the jaw, and (external) pelvic floor. No matter what, your RMT will stay in close communication with you to ensure that you remain comfortable and pain-free.
Depending on what your goals are, your DNM-focussed appointment may be composed entirely of these slow and gentle movements, or it may be combined with a more ‘traditional’ style of massage therapy. Overall, you can expect lots of checking in from your RMT about how each technique is feeling and any sensations you may be noticing.
Both Dani and Jill are trained in DNM here at Unravel. If you are interested in trying a massage that incorporates DNM techniques, please book an appointment with one of them here.
Somatic Exercise
Somatic exercise is a therapeutic technique that addresses chronic muscle tension and helps re-educate the body’s muscle control systems.
Somatic exercise helps release chronic muscle tension by retraining the brain’s natural control over movement and relaxation. This approach is based on the concept of sensory motor amnesia—a condition where your muscles get “stuck” in tight or semi-contracted positions due to habitual patterns, injury, or prolonged physical or emotional stress. In essence, your brain forgets how to fully relax certain muscles.
Somatic exercise uses a specific process called pandiculation—a gentle, mindful muscle contract and release— to consciously reset muscle tone, teaching the brain and nervous system to let go of these tension patterns. Pandiculation works differently than regular stretching because it actively engages the motor cortex, the part of the brain where we build new movement patterns and muscle memory. When we pandiculate, we teach the motor cortex to consciously adjust muscle tone, training muscles to relax to their optimal resting state.
This learning process in the motor cortex also triggers changes in the cerebellum, the brain region that governs automatic movements by updating its stored muscle memory with these newly relaxed muscle states. As a result, the cerebellum begins to signal movements based on a more balanced muscle tone, allowing the body to move with greater comfort, ease and efficiency.
In a session, clients are guided through slow, simple, intentional movements. The RMT might add light touch or resistance to help clients feel the muscles they’re working with, and to enhance control. This technique is versatile enough for any muscle group, including areas like the jaw or pelvic floor. Once you learn the basics, these exercises are easy to practice at home, making them a useful part of any long-term self-care routine for physical comfort and ease.
Jill’s studies in somatic exercise are ongoing, and in the meantime, she is pleased to offer group classes, which can be booked here. Feel free to reach out to her via email to learn more or inquire about private 1-on-1 sessions or private group classes.
Clinical Neurodynamics
Clinical neurodynamics is a unique and insightful approach that helps you understand and treat pain related to nerves and discs in the body. Pain can arise from many different sources in the body, and it can be difficult to distinguish between pain from the musculoskeletal system— muscles, bones, and joints—and pain from nerve issues. For instance, conditions like plantar fasciitis or chronically tight shoulders (with or without classic nerve sensations like numbness, tingling, or electrical shock) that haven’t improved with physiotherapy or massage might actually require nerve-related treatment to feel better. Neurodynamics offers a way to pinpoint the source of your pain and determine whether it’s related to nerves, the musculoskeletal system, or both.
What sets neurodynamics apart is its focus on careful assessment and treatment. Both the evaluation and the treatment are thoughtfully planned with the intention of avoiding flare-ups, ensuring that clients can engage in the process safely and effectively, without exacerbating their symptoms. For those experiencing very acute pain, gentle and precise movements can provide immediate relief and support the healing process. On the other hand, if you’re dealing with chronic pain or lingering discomfort from an old injury, neurodynamics can specifically target deeper nerve issues that may be contributing to your problems.
A key aspect of neurodynamics is that it examines how nerves can become restricted or irritated, often leading to pain or dysfunction. In treatment, you’ll work with your RMT to restore the optimal movement of the nervous system, improving communication between the brain and body. This not only enhances nerve mobility but also helps alleviate pain, reduce symptoms of nerve entrapment, and support recovery from injuries.
Having a nerve issue isn’t any better or worse than dealing with muscle, bone, or joint problems; they each represent different challenges that require unique solutions. Neurodynamics fills in the gaps in your treatment plan by focusing on nerve health in conjunction with muscle and joint care. This evidence-based practice supports clients in regaining function and improving quality of life through gentle, effective interventions.
Overall, neurodynamics is a valuable tool in the realm of pain management, offering a different perspective for those who may have struggled to find answers through traditional therapies. It not only helps identify the underlying issues but also provides a pathway to a more comfortable and functional life, allowing you to move freely and feel better in your body.
Jill is studying this modality at this time. Please reach out to her to learn more, or to book a neurodynamics session with her.