Drug Cravings and Therapeutic Touch Using Lymphatic Drainage Therapy

Holistic Practitioner Spotlight with Lynette Barnard, a Somatologist!

We are speaking with Lynette Barnard, Massage Therapist and Specialist, on the topic of Therapeutic Touch using Lymphatic Drainage Therapy and the profound effect is has on one’s overall health.

Tell Us a Story About a Client with a Craving for Drugs and How Therapeutic Massage Bodywork  Helped

Alfred, a 36 year old with a drug dependency, is employed by a house security firm but was unfit to work due to his acute and ongoing cravings for drugs. He had previously undergone six weeks of  therapy, hospitalized at a mental institute, and did not want to return there.

Alfred came to me through a referral who believed that my training in complementary techniques of therapeutic touch and essential oils combined with my conventional background in nursing and psychology would have a better outcome for Alfred in helping him with his cravings.

What Protocols Did You Use?

Alfred booked for weekly one-hour sessions, over a period of ten weeks. In each session, I used a combination of protocols which included:

Subtle psychological counseling to help modify his way of thinking, replacing his emotional cravings with healthier and more sociable options.

Lymphatic drainage therapy which helps to detoxify the body. It is a technique that concentrates on stimulating the lymphatic drainage area – lymph nodes – from the sternum to the whole stomach area with the purpose of aiding drainage of toxins from the lymph.

Detoxification drink prescribed after session three for days he experienced drug cravings. This included essential oils he could take internally.

Touch Therapy which provided a channel of communication and interaction. Touch, one of the human senses is the first sense to develop and is a basic human need. To be able to touch with the fingertips is to communicate non-verbally. Many complementary and alternative systems use touch as therapy where lymphatic massage therapy, reflexology, and meridian therapy are some examples. These sustained Alfred until the next session.

After the fifth session the patient had a flat stomach, reported fewer cravings and claimed he felt much better. Alfred reported that he had been cured of all cravings after the ninth session.

Why and When Did You Choose the Holistic Path?

With three years of nursing and university studies, I knew I had to do something with my interest in Psychology.

In my jobs following school, I was responsible for looking after the needs of sick people. I started doing research and discovered that Aromatherapy is a therapy for relaxing the mind. Among other things, it can also be used for healing wounds, detoxification, and anti-ageing. This gave me insight to incorporate products with techniques I had learned such as lymphatic drainage, baby massage, pet massage, therapeutic massage, and music therapy.

Being in a world of constant change, and having to continuously adapt, I continually incorporate my interests in whole medical systems such as Naturopathy, Homeopathy, the Indian Ayurvedic system, Traditional Chinese Medicine and its Chinese food therapy into new theories, techniques and therapies.

What Lessons Have Your Work and Personal Experiences Taught You?

I have learned that any therapy is good enough when the following three conditions are met:

1. The person must have a strong need to be healed and be willing to try new methods.
2. The person must believe in the therapist and the methods the therapist uses.
3. The person must believe in the therapy and the products being used to treat his condition.

Once these three conditions have been met, I have found that healing of body and mind can successfully take place.

Biography

I studied a Bachelor of Science degree with subjects such as Nursing, Psychology, Sociology, Anatomy, Microbiology and Physics. With plenty of research over the years and my background in Nursing and Psychology, I re-emerged eight years ago as a self-taught medical nonfiction author and educator, having interest in philosophical history, archaeology and the contributions of ancient civilizations to modern society.

Lynette Barnard (Somatologist)
Massage Therapist and Specialist
Aro-healing
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Visit Lynette’s Website

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