When it comes to weird and wonderful healing techniques, especially if they help with releasing tense muscles, we’re usually the first in line to try them out.
Just shy of a month ago we bumped into Tracey Cumming, a gentle-natured, hard-working woman who has spent the last three decades helping people, especially those with special needs, to maximise their potential in all areas of their lives. More recently her focus, as an advanced practitioner, has been to help children and intellectually impaired adults using Emmett muscle release therapy – a safe, effective and powerful technique designed to help release muscle tension patterns, and treat a wide range of pain presentations. So naturally, we wanted to find out more.
We’d never heard of the Emmett Technique before meeting Tracey, who lives in Summerveld. Turns out, it was founded in 2007 by Ross Emmett and used on animals before it was used on people. It has since become a popular means of addressing pain and discomfort, improving body movement, restoring a positive emotional state and improving quality of life. It is now taught in 40 countries, although it is still relatively new in South Africa, Tracey is one of only a handful of practitioners qualified to perform this technique in KZN. She says the results have been hugely rewarding.
“Having worked in therapeutic horse riding with children and people with special needs for more than 25 years, before becoming an Emmett practitioner, I can honestly say that some of my greatest rewards in life have come using Emmett muscle release therapy, and seeing the pain and discomfort in those I work on lessen, and their posture improve to the point that they are all more active and happy.
Tracey currently runs a therapeutic horse riding programme and has a treatment room at Ridgetop Equestrian Centre in Summerveld. She is a treating therapist at Horizon Farm Trust, a supportive home in Giba Gorge for adults with intellectual impairments.
“The children in our programme may have challenges that range from cerebral palsy and autism to developmental delays and learning challenges, but once they are here it is all about their ability.” Tracey adds that the movement of the horse and the natural environment is a big part of the therapy and that the Emmett Technique adds much more value.
“It has enabled us to quickly make changes to posture, relax any tight muscles and improve flexibility which maximises the benefit of the time on the horse.”
Tracey works with horses of all sizes and backgrounds, including rescues, and says that this is a soul experience on its own, as there is no discrepancy.
“Many of the people I have worked with are non-verbal, so I also have to see the change in their bodies through their expression, physical body change or in their movement and balance.”
The first Tracey heard about Emmett muscle release therapy was a few years back while she was at a Tellington TTouch training course – movement training exercises for horses. There, she met an Australian practitioner, living in South Africa, who offered her a free treatment.
“I didn’t have a particular issue at the time, but I was aware that something good was happening in my body.”
Tracey then arranged to do a one-day self-help workshop using the technique and was amazed at the changes experienced by people who were simply a part of the group, and practising on themselves – better balance and stability, more flexibility and movement and less discomfort.
“I decided to do the first practitioner modules as I could combine the technique with my therapeutic riding practise. You can use the technique standing, sitting or lying down and through clothing. I went into my training feeling very inadequate but I could not stop, as each time I came back and used more of the technique in my work, the results amazed me.”
How does it work?
Focused on achieving physical and emotional wellbeing through minimal touch, the Emmett Technique is based on the principle that applying light finger pressure to specific points on the body, triggers a subconscious response in the soft tissues.
“These differ from traditional trigger or acupressure points, as they are stimulated using gentle rhythmic movements, allowing for effective muscle release and improved movement without the need for pain.”
And the results can be dramatic, even for first time clients, with relief of symptoms like neck and shoulder restriction, lymphatic, congestion and breathing, migraines or cluster headaches, abdominal cramps and bowel discomfort, persistent heel and foot pain, headaches, dizziness and sinus congestion, back and hip discomfort, knee and ankle restrictions, discomfort during pregnancy, fluid retention and much, much more!
“The motto of the ‘Chameleon’ approach is that an Emmett therapist has the ability to assess and tailor the treatment according to the specific needs and beliefs of each person they are treating. The technique is highly effective as a standalone therapy, but also complimentary in that it can be successfully integrated with many modalities like physiotherapy, massage, chiropractic, occupational therapy and other forms of body work.”
A session can be as short as 20 minutes or take up to 45, depending on each person’s needs. The aim is to sedate the nervous system and achieve the desired result without focussing on a specific amount of time.
“We don’t diagnose but rather treat the symptoms or results of conditions, or the wear and tear. I do try to observe or listen out for any habits or movement that may contribute to discomfort. The use of positive words are also an important part of our treatment as these provide for the possibility of change in the way people may have been thinking, which adds to the treatment experience.”
Tracey says our bodies are marvellous and continue to heal after a session, even though the results are often felt immediately.
“Anyone of any age who could benefit from an improvement in their freedom of movement, posture, reduction in pain and discomfort, or who would like to have a release of tension caused by the stress and strain of daily life, is a candidate.”
Tracey recalls working with a man who’d been in hospital with infection and left in a wheelchair, after being told he would probably not walk again. “He arrived at our second session using a walking stick and a few weeks later, he was able to go on a long-awaited caravaning holiday with his wife. I also treated a seasoned runner the day before Comrades Marathon, which I wouldn’t normally recommend, but he’d been struggling in his prep with injury and was willing to take the risk. At the finish he came to me and said, that while his time was slow, due to insufficient training, his legs felt great.”
A year later this athlete sent Tracey a voice note to thank her as he was still running, even better than before.
What Tracey enjoys most about her line of work is that there is no average day for her.
“Some days are spent outdoors with horses and people, others are spent in the treatment room and then there are days spent prepping for courses or teaching them. The most rewarding part is seeing the changes that can be made in such a short period of time, and seeing the relief on people’s faces and in their bodies when that happens, as well as the release and relaxation response notable in the horses when there is a change within the rider. All of this has inspired me to do other courses in specialist Emmett lymphatic, fascia release and anatomy so that I can continue to learn more about our amazing bodies and keep helping people to thrive.”
Emmett therapy at home
Tracey suggests that parents and individuals observe and notice postural habits or behaviours carefully, which may lead to restriction or tightening of muscles. “Change things so your body is not always in the same position. For example, babies or toddlers who spend time in a car, in a car seat, and are always looking out of the window to the same side may develop restrictions. As would people who sit on the same chair looking at the TV from one side. Notice the use of devices and computers and how they are held, or the position you sit in while using them. Any treatment you use will not hold if you do not change these habits, and you may not need assistance if you do change them! So, watch your children’s postural habits (and your own) and see what you notice. Ross Emmett has an expression that says: ‘what we wear wears us out’. Culprits can be heavy tool belts, tightly fitted clothing on hips, bra straps – notice where the clips or rings sit, shoes laces or shoes fitted tightly across the top of feet. Be aware and change things, and see what happens – its free and lasts a lifetime!
“Alternatively, Emmett offers a one-day workshop, which I teach as well as the practitioner course, where you can learn tools to help yourself and your family. It is also a great treatment to learn if you have a background in the medical field or are working in health and wellness and are keen to add it to your current treatment, but, it is specifically designed for anyone.”
