How It Works

The spine and nervous system are the main pathways through which your body’s life force energy flows. Over time, physical, emotional, and chemical stress can become stored in the spine, creating blockages that disrupt this flow. These blockages may show up as pain, tension, illness, fatigue, or other symptoms.

Practitioners use the 7 Gateways of the Spine as an assessment tool to understand where stress is being held and how it may relate to life experiences. With each session, the ripple effect of release deepens, supporting ongoing healing and wellbeing.

During a Spinal Flow session, the practitioner uses light, non-invasive touch on specific areas on the sacrum and the cranium called Access Points. This gentle contact helps the nervous system shift from a stress state (fight-or-flight) into a relaxation and healing state (rest-and-digest), allowing stored stress to release naturally.

As the body releases these blockages, a healing “spinal wave” moves through the spine, helping restore connection and balance throughout the entire body — from the tailbone to the head.

Spinal Flow does not involve massage, manipulation, or force. It works with the body, not on it. Clients remain fully clothed and lay face down on a massage table. If lying facedown isn’t comfortable or possible for you, please email me before your appointment. I’m happy to go over other alternatives with you so we can find an option that works for you.

What Is Reiki?

Reiki is a gentle, non-invasive energy healing practice that originated in Japan. The word Reiki is commonly translated from the Japanese words “rei,” meaning universal, and “ki,” meaning life-force energy.

Reiki is based on the belief that life-force energy flows through and around us. When we are experiencing stress, emotional strain, exhaustion or simply the demands of everyday life, we may feel depleted, disconnected or energetically “stuck.”

During Reiki, the practitioner serves as a channel for Reiki energy, traditionally understood as universal life-force energy. The practitioner’s hands may rest gently on or just above the body while the recipient remains fully clothed.

Reiki does not involve massage, pressure or manipulation.

The intention is not to force the body to do anything, but rather to create a peaceful environment that supports deep relaxation, energetic balance and a greater sense of overall wellbeing.

People experience Reiki differently. Some notice warmth, coolness, tingling, heaviness or lightness. Some experience emotions, imagery or a feeling of energy moving through the body. Others simply become deeply relaxed or even fall asleep.

And some people don’t notice any particular sensation at all.

There is no right or wrong way to experience Reiki.

How does Spinal Flow Technique and Reiki complement eachother?

Spinal Flow brings attention to the physical body and nervous system.

Reiki brings attention to the energetic aspect of the experience.

As I work with the Spinal Flow access points, I allow Reiki energy to flow at the same time, with the intention of supporting the overall experience of relaxation, connection and energetic balance.

What Can a Spinal Flow + Reiki Session Feel Like?

Everyone’s experience is different, and even your own experience may change from one session to the next.

During or after a session, you may notice:

• A feeling of deep relaxation
• Warmth, coolness or tingling
• A sense of energy moving
• Subtle or larger spontaneous body movements
• A wave-like movement through the spine
• Emotional release
• A feeling of heaviness followed by lightness
• Greater awareness of your body
• A sense of calm, peace or stillness
• Or simply a really good rest