Free Flow Therapy
Anna Prinsloo is qualified as a physiotherapist in 2002 from the University of Cape Town (Cum laude with disctinction). Since then she has continued to study various philosophies and approaches to health care. Anna is a certified orthopaedic manual therapist, sports physiotherapist and kinesiologist. She has served on the committee for the Western Cape Sports Physiotherapy Group and has assisted with under-graduate training of physiotherapists at the University of Cape Town. Anna is on the committee for the Western Cape Advanced neuromusculoskeletal course. She has also studied various techniques of myofascial release, wedging (for shoes), dry needling, Dorn spinal alignment, various kinesiology approaches, manual bodywork and inner process work. Anna has a certification in non-medical hypnosis and a diploma in regression therapy. She has also completed a two year international certification in metaphysical healing with distinction.
Anna works on all levels (physical, mental, emotional and energetic) during a balance to ensure the core issue is addressed. Her practice is strongly based on Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, and works directly with the meridian systems and acupressure points in the body. She uses kinesiology (muscle testing) as a tool to tap into the innate intelligence of the bio-energetic system. This ensures the work done is prioritized and maximally effective.
For complimentary therapies (holistic healing, kinesiology and sound healing) please visit www.freeflowtherapy.co.za
For physiotherapy please visit www.annaprinsloophysiotherapy.co.za
APPROACH TO HEALTH CARE
It is time for health care to evolve. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and the body is not just a construct of mechanical parts that can be treated separately without consideration for the whole being. The whole being also includes subconscious reactions, triggers and stress responses that not only impact our physiology, but also drive our behaviours and emotional reactions.
The human system is complex and multidimensional, involving physiological homeostatic processes, electromagnetic fields, electrical circuits and neurological processes. Any dysfunction involves multiple, inter-related factors. Symptoms are an overt expression (not the cause) of an imbalance within the system. Treatment aimed solely at alleviating the symptoms does not address the underlying cause of the dysfunction. Physiological processes within the body are influenced by our thoughts, emotions, nutrition, stress levels and past experiences. Conversely, our emotional and mental states directly impact our physiology. Current pain research shows that the amount of pain someone experiences is not directly proportional to the amount of tissue damage, but rather the result of complex processing in the brain, including areas of the brain related to fear, past experiences and subconscious emotional triggers.
It is clear that effective treatment of any dysfunction needs to take all of these factors into account and be directed toward the root cause if the imbalance. Anna incorporates both western and eastern approaches to health care in her practice. She blends her knowledge of anatomy and physiology with an awareness of the energetic and electromagnetic systems of the body. She works with both the chakra-nadi system of ancient India and the meridian/organ system of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She uses muscle biofeedback (monitoring) as a tool to identify imbalances and subconscious stress within the bio-energetic system. Muscle monitoring has a rigorous neurophysiological basis. This ensures the work done is prioritized and maximally effective. Healing on all levels naturally takes place when there is sufficient energy available for recuperation and any obstacles to this process have been identified and addressed.
A structural balance may release energy previously held in tense muscles and result in greater energy available for other physiological functions. A balance for gut dysbiosis may result in altered levels of neurotransmitters and an improved sense of emotional well-being and mental clarity. A balance to neutralize a strong emotional trigger may alter the fight/flight response, thereby altering immune and endocrine function.
ABOUT KINESIOLOGY
The human system is an evolutionary masterpiece. Our neurological system is like a super computer which is constantly processing input from within the body and from the environment, and generating output to maintain homeostasis and modify our behaviour. Certain areas in the brain are responsible for conscious processing and decision making, while other areas are related to subconscious survival responses, emotional reactions and instinctual behaviours. Our past experiences are all stored in this amazingly complex supercomputer, especially if there was a very strong emotional charge related to the experience. The brain makes associations between trauma and any specific stimuli that were present at the time of trauma. Later on in life, these stimuli can subconsciously trigger stress responses. When faced with a challenge the brain will reference past experiences and respond in a similar way, which is why we tend to repeat old patterns. This leads to significant conflict between the conscious and the subconscious mind. Consciously we may be aware that our response is not appropriate; however these stress responses are being processed on a subconscious level.
Neuroplasticity is the brains ability to ‘rewire’ itself and form new neural connections. This continues throughout life. The neural system is highly adaptable, which enable us to learn and evolve. The process during a kinesiology balance is akin to ‘uninstalling obsolete programs’ and ‘installing updated software’ to allow the system to run optimally. Muscle biofeedback allows us to monitor neurological responses and identify stress within the system. It is possible to defuse triggers (stress responses), and provide the system with ‘new options’ to respond appropriately when faced with a challenge.
Kinesiology also works with the three primary energy systems within the body – the chakra nadi system of ancient India, the acupuncture meridian system of Traditional Chinese medicine, and the Tibetan figure eight energy flows. Chakras are electromagnetic vortices corresponding to major nerve plexuses. Nadis distribute energy from the chakras throughout the system, especially to the autonomic nervous system and the endocrine glands. Meridians are vessels that circulate subtle energy throughout the body. Each meridian is associated with a specific organ and function. Along the meridians are a series of superficial acupuncture points. These points have unique electrical properties, as well as differences in the cell structure of the underlying skin tissue in comparison to the surrounding skin. Energy flow can become blocked in any of these systems resulting in imbalance and dysfunction. Initially the body is able to compensate for these imbalances and therefore we may not be aware of an issue. Compensations require a large energy expenditure which cannot continue indefinitely. With time the system begins to collapse and we start to experience overt symptoms. Muscle biofeedback can identify these energy blockages and verify which technique will restore energy flow within the system. Once the energy flow has been restored, the body’s natural healing processes can occur.
SOUND AND ENERGY HEALING
We also are beginning to understand the role of intention as a keystone to healing. Energetic healing involves working with intention on the subtle energy system to bring about a healthy and balanced flow of energy. This modality requires a refined sensitivity on behalf of the practitioner to enable them to perceive and respond appropriately to the subtle energy system to facilitate the necessary energetic shifts to bring about healing. Sound healing uses consciously directed frequencies of vibration (created with voice and instruments) to transmute and harmonize the bio-energetic system of the human being.
Anna has studied many different forms of energy healing (including metaphysical healing, Reiki and various other shamanic practices) and has found her passion in sound healing. Sound is a carrier wave of consciousness and facilitates profound states of healing. Anna facilitates both individual and private group healing sessions. She also teaches sound healing classes and conducts Sacred Sound Ceremonies. During the ceremony participants are able to experience a sound healing journey created by vocal harmonics, quartz crystal singing bowls, a gong, a Native American prayer flute, an Indian harp and various other instruments. Anna provides sacred music for weddings, rites of passage and memorials.
MANUAL THERAPY, MYOFASCIAL RELEASE AND DORN SPINAL ALIGNMENT
Anna has studied various methods of myofascial release and manual therapy. She trained in ‘Integrative Fascial Release’ with Steven Goldstein (Australia), which is based on the pioneering work by Sharon Giammatteo and the osteopathic concept of ‘strain/counterstrain’. Anna also uses direct manual techniques according to the ‘Anatomy Trains Concept’ by Thomas Myers. She is a certified DORN practitioner. She is particularly interested in how the fascia (connective tissue) of the body can be worked with to facilitate potent release of tension held in the body. The body can then rebalance itself and find its natural harmony. The nervous system can be profoundly affected through subtle manual stimuli. This allows the body to release tension and redirect this energy for repair and maintenance processes. Our habitual postures and compensatory behavioural patterns become locked into our connective tissue over time, thus creating imbalance and stress in the tissues. In certain areas the connective tissue is shortened, while in other areas it become over-lengthened. The muscles in these areas struggle to function in an over-lengthened position. Soft tissue imbalance eventually leads to a variety of conditions such as repetitive strain injuries and joint problems due to excessive compression. A balanced body is a body which is free to move. This body-glove of connective tissue is the key to releasing tension in the muscles, connective tissues and joints thereby restoring our natural freedom of movement. Muscle strength imbalances are assessed and corrected through various muscle activation techniques and movement.
HONOURS AND AWARDS
- Distinction for Certificate in Energy Healing (School of Intuition and Healing) 2013
- Magna Cum Laude with distinction for the degree and distinction in Movement Sciences (BSc Honours Physiotherapy UCT) 2002
- Top student Western Cape – Orthopaedic Manual Therapy Course 2016
- Top student Western Cape – Sports Physiotherapy Course 2016
- Paget Physiotherapy Shield for the student achieving the highest academic standard during all four years of study 2002
- Johannes Karl Binnewald Trophy for the top student – BSc Physiotherapy 2002
- Applied physiotherapy class medal 2002
- Applied physiotherapy class medal 2002
- Two Oceans Marathon Award awarded to the top student during 2nd and 3rd year clinical practice 2001
- Chris Rodseth Shield for the best 3rd year physiotherapy student 2001
- Movement science class medal 2001
- Applied physiotherapy class medal 2001
- Psychiatry class medal 2001
- Ione Sellars Memorial Prize for the highest mark for anatomy for all Allied Health Sciences 2000
- Physiology class medal 2000
- Physiology practical class medal 2000
- Anatomy for physiotherapy class medal 2000
- Movement science 2nd year class medal 2000
- Golden Key National Honours Society (University of Cape Town) in recognition of outstanding scholastic achievement and excellence 2000
