The General Treatment

This particular Creative Healing treatment is one that can be useful for many circumstances. I have used this treatment for years after nearly every massage I have given. In my practice my clients are usually face down in the face cradle for the second half of the massage. Because one of the benefits of massage is increased circulation of fluids and the face down position has a tendency to compress the sinus area, many people find that there is an accumulation of fluid in the sinus area when they sit up. Before the client leaves I do a 'General Treatment'. This treatment works great for clearing fluid from the head area and opening a pathway for the lymphatic fluids to normalize in the body as the lymph finds its way back to the heart.

If you are already a Creative Healer you may find the instructions for this treatment under the treatment for High Blood Pressure. As I mentioned earlier this is an important treatment for many reasons. Many Creative Healing treatments begin with a shortened version of the High Blood Pressure Treatment which we call the General Treatment.

I feel that doing this treatment is necessary when treating any condition of the head, neck, shoulders and abdomen.

Anatomically lymph from the head and the entire right lymphatic duct has to pass through the triangular area located above the clavicle and below the belly of the upper trapezius. This area is what Mr. Stephenson referred to as the one of the filter beds. (There are several filter beds in the body but for now we will be concerned only with those lateral to the sternal notch.)

The General treatment uses two of the four Creative Healing Principals.

Break up congestion

Create a Vacuum

To begin the client is seated with the upper clothing removed though women will have on either a hospital gown or robe that covers the torso from under the arm pits to the waist. The neck and shoulders must be uncovered.

A towel used on the client will also help to keep them warm and provide a personal barrier between you and them while working.

You will need a towel and a bottle of light olive oil. Mr. Stephenson advised olive oil due to its disinfectant properties and its ability to glide over the skin to create the proper effect within the body.

Step 1 Clearing the Filter Beds

To begin the treatment add olive oil to your hands and place them lightly on the client's shoulders and the finger tips resting on the filter bed area to either side of the neck. Use very light circular motions with your fingers moving in a circular motion so that the movement is toward the shoulders. The intention is to break up the any congestion in the area toward the heart so never make the circular motion toward the neck.

This breaking up motion should be done for at least a minute before continuing on to the next step.

Step 2 The vacuum movement

	This movement is also very light and is done on one side of the neck at a time. The touch upon the soft channel between the mastoid process to the filter beds is done with the flat sides of the index and middle finger of one hand while the other hand supports the head of the client. (See the photo above)
	Remember you are using no pressure. Only use the weight of the hand to create a soft gentle stroke downward into the filter bed. You should only be moving the oil lightly on the skin with very little skin movement in the process. A firm touch will break the vacuum and the process is then useless. If congestion is felt during the vacuum movement the small breaking up movements can be employed again especially below the obstruction and the vacuum movement used again to clear away any debris. This process takes at least a minute or two for each side. If the person has been suffering a cold or allergies it may take much longer.
	It is important to only treat one side at a time, in serious cases treating both side simultaneously could cause the client to faint.

Step 3 Loosen up the Back

	It is going to be difficult to describe this movement as it seems to be one of the most difficult for students to grasp. In this case the movement is to help loosen any congestion in the back area so that when the back of the neck is vacuumed there is a place for the fluid to drain to. In a way the movement is rather like trying to grasp the skin of the back and suck it outward with the palms of your hands. I can likened the movement to the feet of a tree frog holding grasping and then letting go of a window over and over again. The person's back needs to be well oiled as it improved the effectiveness of the movement. Still it is done lightly and with a rhythm of about 4/4 time. (Hum itsy bitsy spider and you'll have it right)

	Loosen the congestion that may be in the back using your well oiled palms at the same time. Do the cupping movement over the entire upper back including the upper Trapezius down over the scapula's then medial along the spine to the base of the neck. Make the circular route over the back a few times to relieve congestion and loosen the muscles.

Step 4 Finish the decongesting

Move to one side of the client so you may easily lay your well oiled hand on the client's neck. Use one hand to explore the area underneath and posterior to the mastoid process and all under the occipital ridge. Use the circular breaking up movement on this area. Then lightly vacuum down the back of the neck on either side of the spine from the occipital ridge to the mid back at about T5 again using a light vacuum movement with the palm of your hand, index finger and thumb. Depending on the size of the client and the size of your hand you may do this vacuum movement on both sides of the neck at the same time or you may need to vacuum each side separately.

	The finished General treatment that is done for most clients lasts about 5 to 7 minutes.
	Important: If your client becomes light headed stop the treatment immediately and have them lie down. and rest until they feel better. Do not do this treatment again for them that day.