Standing Release
A simple, highly recommended techinque done with a very light touch to release the fascia around the pelvis and the pelvic and respiratory diaphragms. Its surprising results can improve fetal positioning, pelvic alignment, even reduce heartburn and snoring.
What is a Standing Release ?
Sometimes called a Standing Sacral Release, this myofascial release was fine tuned by Dr. Carol Phillips when a pregnant woman couldn't tolerate lying down for the abdominal release (diaphragmatic release).
It can be done to compliment the abdominal release (doing both) or it can subsitute the abdominal release for women who just can't lay down.
Why: Comforts and relieves pelvic pain or discomforts in the lower back, hips or tailbone. May help rib pain or even neck pain as the spine is all connected to the sacrum. May improve the likelihood of a breech baby flipping or a posterior baby rotating to anterior. May allow room for the transverse baby to drop head down. May reduce premature contractions (contact your provider whenever contractions come 4-6 an hour before 37 weeks and drink more water up to 3-4 quarts).
Carol Phillips, DC, developer of Dynamic Body Balancing and MaBaby Workshops, shows us an in depth standing sacral release (excerpts) in her video proposal to HayHouse Publishers. Watch the pregnant woman get an standing sacral release.
When: Any time; anytime in pregnancy; anytime in labor that seems tolerable; preventative and supportive;
How: This is a sensitive process in which quiet, attunement and some simple skills are required by the helper. But the mother can do this herself with our without a soft ball (variation).
The touch is so light that the person doing it can't quite comprehend how light they are supposed to be. Too many people think they are "supposed to be doing something." If pressing on the person's sacrum you will pin the fascia and lose the benefit of the technique. Use the same pressure as a nickle or Euro would put on your hand - not much!
When not to: When a woman doesn't want to. When standing would be a safety hazard, such as after application of the epidural.
Before: This can be done as a first technique or within a series of techniques. Its an important technique
Next: The Sidelying release (or Pelvic Floor release)
