What Happens in a Network Spinal Session?
If you are curious about Network Spinal but not sure what you would be signing up for, here is what actually happens on the table, what you might feel, and why some people find it surprisingly emotional.
By Hannah Emmett, Doctor of Chiropractic
Network Spinal is quieter and gentler than most people expect from a chiropractor. Here is what a session involves, step by step.
Before you get on the table
Your first visit is an initial consultation over two appointments. On Day 1 I take your full history and carry out a thorough examination, including a digital posture picture and muscle, joint, balance and neurology testing. On Day 2 I explain what I found and recommend a plan of care. You can read more about your first visit.
You stay fully clothed throughout, so wear something comfortable.
The assessment
Each session starts with you lying on the table while I assess your spine and nervous system. I am looking at things like:
- defence postures, the ways the body braces itself
- areas of tension
- where your breathing is restricted
- imbalances, including in the pelvis
This part often takes longer than the contacts themselves. It is how I decide exactly where, and how, to make each contact.
The contacts
The contacts are light, specific touches, mostly at the neck and the base of the spine. There is no cracking or popping. Some people barely feel them; others notice a sense of release, or their breath changing.
The clinic is an open-plan space where several people are cared for at the same time, which many people find relaxing once they are used to it. I check your response after each contact before deciding on the next.
The spinal wave
As care progresses, many people notice a gentle, rhythmic movement through the spine, often called the wave. It is your own body moving, not something I do to you. It can feel unusual at first, then calming. Researchers have studied the wave, although the evidence for what it means is still limited, as I explain in is Network Spinal Analysis legitimate?
Why some people feel emotional
People sometimes ask about “emotional release” in Network Spinal. Releasing tension the body has been holding can bring up feelings. You might sigh, laugh, feel lighter or, now and then, shed a few tears. It is a normal response for some people and nothing to be embarrassed about. You never have to explain it, and if you would rather pause, you only need to say.
Not everyone has this experience, and it is not a goal of care. Many people simply find sessions calm and grounding.
Between sessions
Many people use Somato Respiratory Integration (SRI) breathing exercises between visits, to stay connected with their body and support their care. I will show you how if you would like to try them.
Want to see for yourself?
The best way to understand Network Spinal is to experience it. If you are not ready to commit, a free spinal screening is an easy way to meet me, ask questions and decide whether it feels right for you.
