What do we mean by 'inviting change'?

Was does it mean to 'invite change'?

Can change be forced?

Certainly it can.

If someone were to bop one of us on the nose we'd experience change: almost definitely some bruising, possibly a nosebleed, most likely an emotional change, and quite likely a nervous system that alerted us, with some degree of fear response, when we next saw the person (and probably anyone who looked vaguely similar!) that did it coming towards us.

Not the kind of change we're talking about here however!

What about therapeutic change?

At Moved to Move we certainly believe that if we - that's any of us - are looking for some (any) kind of change, trying to 'make' something change is counter-productive.

We need to find a way to set up the conditions to allow change to happen.

And that includes changes that might happen within the nervous system, or to body tissues, whilst working with a client during manual therapy.

Changes that might include relief from pain, a release from stress, 'tight' muscles letting go of tension, relief from anxiety, an increase in energy, or an easing of stiffness and finding a more fluid and free flow in your movement.

A good Soft Tissue Therapist holds the space for you.

They listen to you, and they listen to your body.

With their ears, their hands and their 'inner ears'.

The Soft Tissue Therapist's hands - or arms - offer some sort of skilled application (and yes they've studied and engaged in clinical practice to find, learn and experience the most helpful ways they may be able to do this).

But YOUR body and nervous system do the rest.

And a good Soft Tissue Therapist (as for any other type of therapist) needs to 'get out of the way' and let your body's Natural Healing Potential get on with it.

Because positive and nourishing change can only ever be invited, not forced.