What to Expect From Your First Spinal Flow Session
If you've booked your first Spinal Flow session, you might be feeling a mix of excitement and curiosity. What will it feel like? What should you wear? Will it hurt? How will you know if it's working?
These are all normal questions, and I want to help you feel completely prepared and at ease before you arrive. Here's everything you need to know about your first Spinal Flow experience.
Before Your Session
What to Wear: Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is ideal. You'll remain fully clothed during the session, lying face down on a massage table. Many clients choose yoga pants, leggings, or loose pants with a comfortable shirt. Avoid clothing with lots of buttons, zippers, or heavy seams along the spine.
Arrive a Few Minutes Early: This gives you time to complete any necessary paperwork, use the restroom, and settle in without feeling rushed. A calm, centered arrival helps your nervous system prepare for the healing work ahead.
Come Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water before your session supports your body's natural release process. Your nervous system functions more efficiently when you're well-hydrated.
Set an Intention: Take a moment to consider what you're hoping to experience or release. This doesn't need to be complicated, simply acknowledging your readiness for change can support your healing.
The Initial Consultation
Your first session begins with a conversation. We'll discuss your health history, current symptoms, and what brought you to Spinal Flow. This is your opportunity to share not just your physical complaints, but also anything you've noticed about stress, sleep, emotions, or energy levels.
I'll explain how Spinal Flow works, what the seven spinal gateways are, and how gentle touch can help your nervous system release stored tension and blockages. Understanding the process helps your body feel safe and receptive to the work.
This isn't a quick chat before jumping on the table. The consultation is an important part of your session, helping me understand your unique situation and helping you feel informed and comfortable with the process ahead.
During Your Session
You'll lie face down on a comfortable massage table, fully clothed. Some practitioners use pillows or bolsters to ensure you're completely supported and relaxed.
Using light, specific touch, I'll work along your spine, accessing the seven gateways where blockages or "ease-ways" can occur. The touch is gentle, often described as similar to the pressure you'd use to check if a tomato is ripe. There's no forceful manipulation, no cracking, no deep tissue pressure.
What You Might Experience:
The sensations during a Spinal Flow session vary from person to person and even from session to session. Common experiences include:
Waves of sensation moving through your body
Spontaneous deep breathing or sighing (signs your nervous system is releasing)
Warmth or tingling along your spine or in other areas of your body
Muscle twitching or trembling (your body's natural way of releasing stored tension)
Emotional releases such as tears, laughter, or feelings of peace
Deep relaxation or a meditative state
A sense of energy moving or blockages clearing
Some people experience dramatic sensations during their first session, while others feel subtle shifts or simply deep relaxation. All of these responses are normal and indicate your body is responding to the work.
You might also notice areas of your body that you hadn't realized were tense suddenly becoming aware or "waking up." This increased body awareness is part of the healing process.
Most first sessions last between 45-60 minutes, though the hands-on portion may be shorter depending on what your body needs and can integrate in that initial session.
Immediately After Your Session
Right after your session, you'll likely feel relaxed, possibly lightheaded, and perhaps a bit "spacey" or deeply calm. This is completely normal. Your nervous system has just done significant work, and your body is integrating the changes.
Take your time getting up from the table. Sit for a moment, have some water, and allow yourself to transition slowly back to your day.
We'll take a few minutes to discuss what you experienced during the session and what you might notice in the hours and days ahead. I'll also provide guidance on supporting your body's continued healing after you leave.
The Days Following Your Session
The work of Spinal Flow continues long after you leave the office. Your nervous system will keep processing and releasing in the days that follow.
Common experiences in the 24-72 hours after your first session include:
Fatigue or increased need for sleep (your body is healing and integrating)
Emotional releases or old feelings surfacing
Vivid dreams as your subconscious processes change
Increased energy and mental clarity
Temporary increase in symptoms before improvement (known as a "healing response")
Improved sleep quality
Shifts in pain patterns (pain may move or change before resolving)
Heightened body awareness
All of these are signs that your nervous system is actively reorganizing and releasing old patterns. Trust your body's wisdom during this integration period.
How Many Sessions Will You Need?
This is one of the most common questions, and the answer depends on several factors: how long you've been experiencing symptoms, how many layers of stress and tension your body is holding, how your nervous system responds to the work, and your overall health and healing capacity.
Most people begin with a series of 6-12 sessions, typically scheduled weekly or bi-weekly. This allows your nervous system to build on each session progressively, creating cumulative, lasting change rather than temporary relief.
Some people notice significant improvement after just a few sessions, while others with chronic, complex issues may need more time to address deeper layers of stored tension and trauma.
After your initial series, many clients transition to monthly or as-needed maintenance sessions to support ongoing wellness and prevent old patterns from re-establishing.
Supporting Your Healing Between Sessions
To maximize the benefits of your Spinal Flow sessions:
Stay well-hydrated to support your body's natural detoxification and healing processes
Get adequate rest and honor your body's need for sleep
Move gently with walking, stretching, or yoga rather than intense exercise immediately after sessions
Practice stress management through meditation, breathwork, or time in nature
Listen to your body and give it what it needs rather than pushing through fatigue or discomfort
Journal about any insights, emotions, or changes you notice
FAQs
Is Spinal Flow painful?
No. The touch used in Spinal Flow is gentle and non-invasive. Most people find it deeply relaxing. You should never experience pain during a session. If anything feels uncomfortable, simply let me know and we'll adjust.
Will I hear cracking or popping sounds?
No. Unlike chiropractic adjustments, Spinal Flow doesn't involve joint manipulation or force, so there's no cracking or popping. The work happens at the nervous system level through gentle touch.
What if I fall asleep during my session?
That's perfectly fine! Falling asleep indicates your nervous system feels safe and has dropped into a parasympathetic (rest and healing) state. The work continues whether you're awake or asleep.
Can I do Spinal Flow if I'm pregnant?
Yes. Spinal Flow is safe and gentle during pregnancy. Many pregnant clients find it helps with back pain, stress, sleep issues, and preparing the body for birth. Always inform your practitioner that you're pregnant so appropriate positioning and support can be provided.
Will I need to undress?
No. You remain fully clothed during Spinal Flow sessions. Just wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your spine.
What if I don't feel anything during my first session?
Some people experience dramatic sensations during their first session, while others feel subtle shifts or simply deep relaxation. Your body's response doesn't determine the effectiveness of the work. Many people who feel "nothing" during their first session notice significant changes in the days that follow.
Can I exercise after my session?
Light movement like walking is fine and even beneficial. However, it's best to avoid intense workouts for 24 hours after your session to give your body time to integrate the changes. Listen to your body and honor what it needs.
How soon will I notice results?
This varies. Some people feel immediate relief or shifts during their first session. Others notice gradual improvement over several sessions as deeper layers release. Chronic issues that developed over years typically require more time to resolve than acute problems.
Is Spinal Flow safe for children?
Yes. Spinal Flow is gentle enough for all ages, from infants to elderly individuals. Children often respond beautifully to the work.
What if my symptoms get worse after my session?
Sometimes symptoms temporarily intensify before improving—this is called a "healing response" or "healing crisis." It indicates your body is actively processing and releasing stored tension. This typically passes within 24-48 hours. If you're concerned, always reach out to your practitioner.
Do I need a referral from my doctor?
No. Spinal Flow is a complementary wellness technique that doesn't require a doctor's referral. However, if you're currently under medical care, it's always wise to inform your healthcare providers about any complementary therapies you're exploring.
Can I do Spinal Flow alongside other treatments?
Yes. Spinal Flow works beautifully alongside other healing modalities including physiotherapy, massage, acupuncture, counseling, and medical care. The gentle nature of the work supports rather than interferes with other treatments.
Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?
Your first Spinal Flow session is the beginning of a relationship with your body based on safety, gentleness, and trust. Rather than forcing change, we're creating the conditions for your nervous system to release what it's been holding and return to its natural state of ease.
You don't need to do anything special to prepare except arrive with an open mind and a willingness to listen to your body's wisdom. Your body already knows how to heal, Spinal Flow simply helps it remember.
If you have any questions before your first session, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm here to support you every step of the way.
