In the beginning of Network Spinal Analysis (NSA) care, we are working to create a unique phenomenon where a wave of breath passes through your spine from the coccyx to the occiput (tailbone to the base of the cranium). What we are looking for is a normal, unforced, un-manipulated breath, effortlessly rocking every vertebrae in the spine as it moves along.

Breath is your body's way of bringing mental awareness to its parts. As the breath wave travels along the spine, the mind investigates the different obstacles it finds in its path. It may encounter locked vertebra, areas of muscle tension, places where the spinal cord is very taught or combinations of these tensions. These obstacles contain information and energy that is stored in the body to be dealt later. It could be relatively new or very old.

When the breath encounters an area of tension, it may not be able to get through at all or it may skip over it. When the mind becomes aware of this, it gets curious and decides to investigate further. It instructs the body to move this area or reposition it so further observation is possible. This often creates a release of the tension that the NSA practitioner can observe and grade. Tension is usually assessed from zero to five, five being the maximum.

When the tension releases, there is often a feeling of ease, relief or relaxation. People often find that they can take a far deeper breath than they ever imagined possible. Plus, this breath occurs involuntarily and with great ease. It may be accompanied by a sigh or some other form of emotive sound, signifying that some of the tension or energy that was obstructing the wave was emotional. Many people also find themselves in a better frame of mind, as much of the tension is also stored mental stress.

The development of the breath wave is a spontaneous and natural phenomenon that develops when the mind is cued to investigate tension in the spine. The light touch in the right place, made by the NSA practitioner, skillfully helps the body and mind find and process the build-up of stored tension that obstructs the breath wave. This cannot be forced. It could even be impeded if the mind is engaged in an effort to override the body.

Many people have learned very effective breathing techniques, relaxation skills and meditation practices. Often they feel it is appropriate to apply them during an NSA session (or entrainment). This is not the case. While these techniques are highly effective at producing a specific outcome, they are not creating the breath wave pattern that renders conscious all the areas of stored tension.

If it did, there wouldn't be any areas of stored tension. So continue to use these practices at home for their unique benefits but when you are getting entrained, observe what is happening without trying to do something to it.

The breath wave of level one of care creates the critical awareness of the situation. It helps you find out what is in your spine. It also shows you how much you hold onto because often you do not know. Many of us want to get onto more exciting and important things but this is the most important part of care. When it is skipped over, the higher-level care, while exciting, is non-productive and incomplete.

Developing the breath wave in level one of care usually takes about 12 visits. In our office we usually achieve this outcome in about a month. At the first progress check (12 visits), most people report a significant decrease in tension and relief from pain and tension.

When the breath wave is complete, and the person is aware of the phenomenon, it is time to move onto the next level of awareness. This is level 2A, the development of the spinal gateway and the birth of the somato-psychic wave.