Marchelle Milligan, MS, CST

Craniosacral Rhythm 

The craniosacral rhythm is different than the rhythm of the heart or breath.  It is an ongoing minute full-body movement that helps each cell in the body flourish. Cells must have uninterrupted access to essential nutrients, oxygen, and pathways that process waste products.  Illness or dysfunction can develop when the flow of substances to, or from, cells is compromised. Craniosacral Therapy specifically enhances the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and facilitates the movement of the body in synchrony with the craniosacral rhythm.

Tiny strain patterns of the body's tissues, nerves, or fluids, which are often overlooked, can cause compromise ranging from minor aches or pains to severe disability.  In Craniosacral Therapy we are working with these minute areas of compromise, or restriction. Sometimes dysfunction is due to only one area of restriction, and at other times many areas merge into larger patterns.  The effect of a strain can remain in the area where the strain is located, or it can affect other regions of the body, even the body as a whole.  Each person has their own unique patterns of compromise, and each person has their unique patterns of correction.

Craniosacral Therapy uses a light touch to feel the areas of restriction and facilitate the corrective process with the client.  An example may be a cork floating in water.  It requires minimal pressure to feel the cork moving and the smallest amount of force to help the cork move.  If you would like more information on Craniosacral Therapy please visit my website, or call  (925) 286-6237.

Muscle Testing

Many clients have known me since I started at the Rose Street Center in Danville 12yrs ago. I built my massage business there and enjoyed the nurturing and supportive group of professionals that co-created the center. During those years I was able to continue my education and practice on my clients which helped grow my business to what it is today. 

One technique that I spent 12 months training for is Applied Kinesiology with Touch For Health.  I learned a great deal
about meridians, origin and insertion of muscles, emotions, nutrition, and how they all work together. The trainings were extensive and fun, however it has been four years since I have practiced this technique.

The Rose Street Center closed 5yrs ago and I got married, had a baby and worked part time until opening Alamo Holistic Healing Center. So now I am excited to dust off my charts and refresh my memory by offering a special price to those interested in balancing 14 meridians with muscle testing. This technique "muscle testing" is also used to test for food allergies, emotional imbalances and much more.

For more information on muscle testing or to schedule an appointment, please call #925-785-3066 or click here for special pricing.

The Art & Science of Cupping 

As anyone who has worked with me knows, I am always saying that "stagnation causes pain" in the body and when there is pain in the body there "must be stagnation".  During any treatment, when we are able to move the static or stagnated blood and lymph located in deeper areas of the body, we are able to relieve pain and promote a greater healing.

One of the best forms of treatment for removing pain and stagnation in the body is known as "Cupping".  Cupping works by manually pulling toxins and trapped cellular waste from areas of the body by using suction created from cups placed on the body.

By pulling these toxins out of the deeper and often trapped area into the levels higher up towards the skin where the superficial blood supply can remove it from the body, the body is able to heal.   This suction permits fresh clean blood and lymph to flow into the affected area to assist healing and stop pain.  Along with this new blood flow come oxygen and cellular nutrients which aid healing, promote energy levels, and lowers our "toxic loads".   When we lower the level of toxins in our body we feel better, pain is eliminated, and our emotions and mood increase.

Anyone who is alive today is constantly affronted by toxins.  Some of these toxins are from the environment such as pesticides, cleaning products, plastics, antibiotics (especially from our meat industry) as well as cigarette smoke, pollutants and solvents.  Some of these toxins are from the waste products of our own body's metabolism.  As the body breaks down proteins and sugars for food and fuel, various toxic chemicals are created such as ammonia.  Regardless of its source, all of these harsh chemicals are removed by the Liver either through the Kidneys as urine or the Liver and Intestines as our feces. 

Our Livers must remain clear in order to handle the constant load of toxins that course through it. When the Liver cannot handle this flow due to overload or weakening functions, it sends the toxins back out into the body to be deposited.  The body places most of these toxins in areas found at the base of the neck, below the ear, below the scapula, in the lower back especially at the lower buttocks area.  These are all the major lymphatic drainage areas.  When these toxic levels become too great, they affect the function of the surrounding tissues contributing to such well known diseases as:  chronic neck pain, headaches, TMJ, shoulder pain, lower back pain, sciatic pain and restless leg, among many others including cancers.  Additionally, any place where there has been prior damage in the body these toxins will accumulate.  Areas where there have been sprains, fractures, surgeries, muscle spasms are all locations of limited blood flow and therefore prime locations for pain due to stagnation of toxins.

Cupping is one of the best treatments for eliminating these toxins from our bodies.  And along with Acupuncture and Herbal therapy, Cupping helps us clear our toxic loads, reduce pain and inflammation, promote healing, boost our immune system, and feel better.  And, after all, isn't that what healing is all about?

If you are interested in receiving a Cupping treatment, or wish to obtain more information please contact me at 925-979-5750 or email me at morgan@Qigate.com.