Release vs. Reorganization

There is such a thing as disorganizing release. This applies to both physical medicine as well as therapy. ⁣ ⁣

⁣⁣“Release” (manual therapy, catharsis, needling, etc.) can actually be destabilizing to both our bodies and minds when done inappropriately or at the wrong time. ⁣⁣

⁣⁣The sudden experience of increased movement in our bodies or interior landscape can be more than our system is able to integrate in a given moment, and this is not good treatment. ⁣⁣

⁣⁣Ironically, this can feel good to both the patient and provider because removing tension feels good, catharsis often feels big and important, and it’s easy to get sucked into the addictive cycle of using disorganizing release as a management strategy. ⁣⁣

⁣⁣But management of experience ≠ metabolism of experience. ⁣⁣

⁣⁣Reorganization takes some time and exposure to produce a new and more resilient relationship to the problem. It doesn’t need to take forever, but it requires a few more steps, and it’s helpful if your clinician understands these parameters while providing the environment and guidance through the reorganizing process. ⁣