Susan Vaughan Kratz
Bodywork Book Series
Bodywork
Sensory Integration
for
By Susan Vaughan Kratz
About the Book
Bodywork for Sensory Integration offers a fusion between the sciences of structural medicine and neurobehavioral principles. These are novel ways to discern the autonomic state continuum of every part of the body. In turn, self-regulation and sensory modulation improves and quality of life raises. Pediatric therapists are demanded to discover the answer to the question, "Is It Sensory? Or is it Behavior?" This book offers a third option. "It could be Structural" can and has changed treatment plans for so many.
It is well-accepted that sensory and behavioral difficulties reflect autonomic nervous system physiology. Tension and tone of organs, blood vessels, and lymphatic movement play an underappreciated role in sensory regulation. The function of fascia and connective tissue, autonomic states of organs, cranial nerve pathways, and innervation sites hold important implications as sensory integration challenges are treated. The walls of blood vessels nestled in masses, the meninges’ tension, and the sensory cells’ structural health all have information relevant to sensory wellness. Interoception treatment can be directly applied, rather than just talked about.
The sensory-compromised person whose body feels uncomfortable can benefit from Bodywork for Sensory Integration. Parenting a child with neurodiversity or sensory differences can be made easier by understanding the lessons revealed through receiving bodywork. Tangible strategies help the whole family move towards a place of comfort, adaptability to sensory responses, homeostasis, and stress management.
About the Author
Susan Vaughan Kratz has specialized in neurology, pediatrics, and sensory integration throughout her occupational therapy career, spanning nearly four decades.
Susan holds certifications and qualifications in Neurodevelopmental and Ayres' Sensory Integration and is a diplomat-level practitioner in Upledger CranioSacral Therapy. She has extensive formal training in manual methods to treat lymphatic, visceral organ, and interstitial systems of the body. She estimates the nearly 45,000 client encounters in her career have taught her some simple truths about helping any nervous system become calm, regulated, and happy. She shared those truths in Bodywork for Babies.
In this next book in the series, the older child (and adult) can be helped by the same methods to reduce sensory disturbances and promote sensory wellness.
Owning a busy private wellness practice, she also enjoys being an invited lecturer, consultant, and clinical researcher.
TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I
Existing Pediatric Therapies & Bodywork Methods
- Sensory Integration Theory & Treatment Concepts
- Neurodevelopmental Therapy – Theory and Practice
A Different Take on Reflex Integration and Muscle Tone
Emerging Perspectives to Analyze Sensory Integration
- Biologic Terrain-Structural Medicine (Osteopathic & Chiropractic)
- Sensory health and wellness
Bodywork Methods that Augment Sensory Integration Practices
- Craniosacral Therapy (CST)
- Lymphatic Drainage & Lymph-Fascia Complex
- Modified Acupressure & Reflexology
- Modified Visceral Techniques
- Myofascial Release
- Generalizing Treatment Toward Interstitial Layers
Lessons Learned from Bodywork
- Behaviors of the Autonomic Nervous System
- Protective Retraction
- Fascia is a Sensory Organ
- Tensegrity of the Human Body
- Continuum of the Sympathetic – Parasympathetic Physiology
Evidence-based Practices and Practice-based Evidence
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PART II
Structural Medicine Concepts Related to Each Sensory System
-Olfaction: Sense of Smell
-Gustatory: Sense of Taste
-Vision and Oculomotor System
-Vestibular (head movement) & Auditory (hearing) Systems
-Tactile: Sense of Touch
-Proprioception (body position) & Kinesthesia (body movement)
-Interoception/Enteroception/Visceroception (sense of internal environment)
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PART III
Manual Treatments to Facilitate Sensory Wellness
-Autonomic Nervous & Enteric System (innervation, vagus, organs & vascular fields)
-Soft Skeleton Matrix: superficial & peripheral connective tissues
-Core Structures of Soft Skeleton: longitudinal & horizontal fascia bands
-Cranium: bones, meninges & intracranial membranes, cranial nerves
PART IV
Dysfunctional Behaviors
- Sensory Processing Dysfunction, Neurodiversity & Sensory Wellness
-Oral motor and feeding aversions/Picky eater
-Attention Deficit – Hyperactivity Disorder
-Autism Spectrum Disorder
-Sensory-Modulation and Self-Regulation
-Tactile Defensiveness
- Inner Ear Dysfunction
-Posture/Ocular and Bilateral Coordination
-Reflex integration for balance and postural righting
-Dyspraxia
-Toe Walking
Disclaimer and Release of Liability
The treatment suggestions in this book represent one practitioner’s clinical practice for direct intervention and are based upon accepted and recognized training methods within the scope of the author’s license. All practitioners should consider the scope of their practice, their level of training, and skill competency before applying methods to babies.
This treatment does not replace medical advice, but it can enhance health and wellness for holistic care. It is each practitioner's sole responsibility to seek professional training, mentoring, and other feedback methods to ensure palpation competency. Modification or limitation indicated for any medical condition or impairments is the professional's responsibility when practicing these methods.
"Bodywork for Sensory Integration is one of the first books of its kind. Hands-on therapies have always had an incredible effect on the body, and a young body
is so receptive to the correction that a knowledgeable therapist can lend. My hope is that with such an incredible book as this, all practitioners who profess to address the neurological and behavioral needs of children will add bodywork techniques into their practice as standard care. I highly recommend this book."
Use it well and refer to it often.
Emily A. Francis- Author
“The Body Heals Itself”, “Whole Body Healing” and “Healing Ourselves Whole”