#dermoneuromodulation

Chronic pain is a complex issue affecting millions of people, often lasting months or even years. Unlike acute pain, which serves as a warning for injury, chronic pain can persist even after the underlying injury or condition has healed. For those dealing with ongoing pain, managing daily discomfort and maintaining quality of life can be challenging. Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) play a key role in supporting those living with chronic pain, using a range of therapies designed to help reduce pain, improve mobility, and enhance overall wellness. One such approach, called Dermoneuromodulation (DNM), is increasingly recognized for its effectiveness in managing chronic pain conditions.

Understanding Chronic Pain

Chronic pain often extends beyond physical injury and can affect emotional well-being and mental health. Conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis, migraines, and persistent low back pain are common forms of chronic pain that many individuals experience. These conditions don’t just cause discomfort—they can limit mobility, reduce energy, and disrupt daily life. The goal of massage therapy for chronic pain is not only to manage physical pain but also to support holistic well-being, enabling patients to live more comfortably and confidently.

How Massage Therapy Helps with Chronic Pain

Massage therapy offers several benefits for individuals with chronic pain:

Reduces Muscle Tension: Chronic pain can lead to muscle guarding, which is when muscles remain tense to protect an area of the body. Massage therapy helps release this tension, allowing muscles to relax and restoring natural movement patterns.

Enhances Mental Health: Chronic pain often leads to anxiety, depression, and stress. Massage therapy promotes relaxation by stimulating the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, which can decrease stress hormones and improve mental well-being.

Encourages Body Awareness: By working with an RMT, individuals can become more attuned to their body’s ’ needs, patterns, and postural habits, which can be transformative in managing chronic conditions.

What is Dermoneuromodulation (DNM)?

One specific approach gaining attention in the world of chronic pain management is Dermoneuromodulation (DNM). Developed by Canadian therapist Diane Jacobs, DNM is a gentle, non-invasive technique that focuses on the nervous system and skin (dermis). Unlike traditional massage techniques that target deeper muscles and tissues, DNM works on the skin to interact with the nerves and receptors that play a crucial role in chronic pain perception.

DNM is based on the concept that the skin and nervous system are intricately connected. By gently mobilizing the skin, RMTs can reduce nerve sensitivity, which can alleviate pain. This technique can be highly effective for individuals with chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, and nerve-related pain, as it addresses both the sensory and neural components of pain.

Why DNM is Effective for Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is often associated with an overactive nervous system, where nerves become hypersensitive to stimuli. DNM directly targets this hypersensitivity by focusing on the skin’s nerve endings, influencing how the brain perceives pain. This unique approach can help “reset” the nervous system, leading to reduced pain levels and improved comfort.

Some key benefits of DNM for chronic pain include:

Gentle on Sensitive Areas: For individuals who experience discomfort with traditional massage techniques, DNM offers a gentle alternative that’s less likely to trigger pain.

Reduces Neural Tension: By working with the skin, RMTs can help reduce neural tension, which can have a significant impact on overall pain levels.

Increases Nervous System Modulation: DNM supports the nervous system in modulating its response to stimuli, making it a powerful tool for chronic pain management.

Conditions that Benefit from DNM and Massage Therapy

Massage therapy, including techniques like DNM, is beneficial for a variety of chronic pain conditions:

Fibromyalgia: Known for causing widespread pain and fatigue, fibromyalgia is often accompanied by sensitivity to touch. DNM’s gentle approach is ideal for managing fibromyalgia pain, as it doesn’t over-stimulate sore areas.

Migraines and Headaches: Massage therapy can address the muscle tension and stress associated with chronic headaches, while DNM can reduce nerve hypersensitivity in the head and neck regions.

Arthritis: Massage therapy relieves stiffness and increases joint mobility, while DNM can ease pain by reducing nerve sensitivity in affected areas.

Low Back Pain: Chronic low back pain often involves muscle tension and nerve sensitivity. Massage therapy and DNM together can target both muscle tightness and neural elements for a comprehensive approach to pain relief.

What to Expect in a Massage Therapy Session for Chronic Pain

At your first session, an RMT will discuss your pain history and goals for treatment, helping to determine the best approach. DNM, for example, may be used in conjunction with other techniques such as myofascial release or joint mobilization, depending on your needs. Sessions are typically designed to be relaxing and focused on areas where pain or tension are most present.

Your RMT may also provide guidance on at-home exercises and stretches to further support your progress between sessions. Building body awareness and integrating mindful movements can help individuals manage chronic pain more effectively, making massage therapy an essential part of a holistic pain management plan.

Embracing Long-Term Pain Relief with Massage Therapy

For those living with chronic pain, massage therapy offers more than just temporary relief; it supports long-term healing and comfort. Techniques like DNM can create meaningful change in pain perception, helping individuals regain control over their bodies and their lives. By integrating massage therapy with other healthcare interventions, RMTs in Kamloops, BC, are committed to helping patients manage chronic pain and achieve improved wellness.

If you’re ready to explore how massage therapy, including DNM, can help manage chronic pain, reach out to schedule a consultation. [Link to Book a Session]

It is a two-and-a-half-day workshop that will teach the philosophy, methods and techniques of DNM, which stands for Dermoneuromodulating. The course aims to help people understand pain and the nervous system and includes a hands-on, practical application.

Introducing DNM: Unlocking the Potential of Dermoneuromodulation. Are you an RMT looking to expand your skills, enhance your practice, and deliver exceptional results to your clients? Look no further; we are thrilled to present an exclusive opportunity for RMTs in beautiful Golden, BC, at 806 10th Ave S! DNM: The Complete Integration of Philosophy, Method, and Techniques We are excited to introduce DNM, Dermoneuromodulation, a groundbreaking approach that can revolutionize how you treat your clients. Led by the esteemed Michael Reoch, RMT, our course will take you through the philosophy, method, and techniques of DNM, empowering you to achieve remarkable outcomes for your clients. Why DNM? Unleash Your Full Potential DNM is not just another technique; it's a comprehensive system that allows you to go beyond the ordinary and create profound changes in your client's well-being. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or a fresh face in the industry, DNM has something unique to offer: 1. Holistic Philosophy: By understanding the intricate connections between the person, the dermis, the nervous system, and the musculoskeletal system, DNM gives you a holistic perspective that can lead to lasting results. 2. Effective Method: DNM revolves around the concept of gentle, intentional touch. This helps you establish a deep connection with your clients and facilitates the body's natural healing mechanisms. It also ensures that each treatment is uniquely designed for your client's needs. 3. Incorporate your already established Techniques: From myofascial release to neural mobilization, positional release, and sensory integration, DNM equips you with a robust philosophy of care that you can apply to your favourite techniques. This allows you to address a wide range of conditions and deliver exceptional outcomes that resonate with your clients. About Michael Reoch, RMT: You Instructor Leading this transformative course is none other than Michael Reoch, an RMT with extensive experience in DNM. Michael's passion for teaching and commitment to excellence have made him a trusted name in the industry. His expertise and dedication will ensure you receive the highest quality education and guidance throughout the course. Join Us in Vancouver, BC: Beautiful Surroundings for a Transformative Experience

Don't Miss Out - Secure Your Spot Today: Click the link below!

In the field of Manual Therapy, there are many techniques used to treat people in pain. These techniques involve pushing, pulling, and twisting skin and soft tissue. DNM uses techniques that change the state of the nervous system in the skin, spinal cord and brain to make it less painful and reactive.

Studies have demonstrated that touch has significant psychological and physiological impacts, with the nervous system regulating these effects. To effectively use Manual Therapy as a pain treatment, it's important to comprehend pain physiology through a social, biological, and psychological perspective. Research has indicated that establishing a non-threatening treatment environment for the patient is vital.

The skin is closely tied to the nervous system, which makes up around 2% of our body weight but uses 20% of our O2 and glucose at all times. Nerves do not respond well to sustained mechanical deformation, specifically compression and stretch. Dermoneuromodulating is a method that considers the nervous system of the patient to treat from "skin cell to sense of self." Techniques are usually light, and holds are slow.

DNM is a form of personalized manual care that targets nervous system signals to reduce discomfort and pain. This approach involves collaboration between therapist and patient to alleviate tenderness and improve well-being. Regardless of the damage in the affected area, DNM can effectively reduce pain.

The term DNM Stands for Dermo (skin), Neuro (nervous system) Modulation (a change from one state to another). It is a method of manual therapy/massage therapy used to change the state of the nervous system from a painful hyperactive state to a less painful and reactive one through receptors in the skin.

In Manual Therapy (MT), hundreds of techniques and methods attempt to approach treating people in pain. These maneuvers' speed, duration and force may differ, but the underlying mechanistic effects all follow the same rules. They can all agree that we push, pull and twist skin directly and soft tissue indirectly.

Lately, there has been considerable growth in research around the mechanisms of massage and other manual therapies, with a drift into the neuroscience involved in pain.

Two processes seem to be apparent when we look at the research: 

First, the effects of touch have strong psychological and physiological effects. 

The nervous system controls these effects. 

If we use Manual Therapy as a treatment for pain resolution, we should look at understanding pain physiology within a social, biological and psychological framework. 

What we know from studying the non-specific effects of physical medicine is that we should strive for a treatment environment that creates the least amount of threat to the person being treated; therefore, We should act, dress and keep the treatment space in a way that won’t put the patient on the defensive. 

We know that we touch the skin primarily in manual therapy and that the skin is intimately tied into the nervous system embryologically as both arrive from the ectoderm. 

We know that the Nervous System makes up around 2% of our body by weight but uses 20% of our O2 and Glucose at all times.

The nervous system carries impulses from the peripheral (and from within), which are processed in the spinal cord and Brain to create an output response. If the impulses are deemed dangerous enough, the output is pain. 

We know that pain is a complex process that depends on contextual, psychological and biological factors that mostly happen without our conscious perception and that pain can’t happen without a nervous system. 

The human body has 72 kilometres of nerves, intimately connected to the vascular system millimetre by millimetre.

Nerves do not respond well to sustained mechanical deformation, specifically, compression more than stretch.

Dermoneuromodulating is a method that attempts to take these facts as an underlying framework for an interactive, hands-on approach to treating the experience of pain. It considers the nervous system of the patient to treat from “skin cell to sense of self.” Techniques are usually light, and holds are slow. Limbs and trunk are positioned to affect deeper nerve structures in combination with skin stretch. This is done to potentially shorten and widen a nerve's container, thus reducing mechanical deformation of the nerve. 

It is a two-and-a-half-day workshop that will teach the philosophy, methods and techniques of DNM, which stands for Dermoneuromodulating. The course aims to help people understand pain and the nervous system and includes a hands-on, practical application.

Introducing DNM: Unlocking the Potential of Dermoneuromodulation. Are you an RMT looking to expand your skills, enhance your practice, and deliver exceptional results to your clients? Look no further; we are thrilled to present an exclusive opportunity for RMTs in beautiful Golden, BC, at 806 10th Ave S! DNM: The Complete Integration of Philosophy, Method, and Techniques We are excited to introduce DNM, also known as Dermoneuromodulation, a groundbreaking approach that can revolutionize how you treat your clients. Led by the esteemed Michael Reoch, RMT, our course will take you through the philosophy, method, and techniques of DNM, empowering you to achieve remarkable outcomes for your clients. Why DNM? Unleash Your Full Potential DNM is not just another technique; it's a comprehensive system that allows you to go beyond the ordinary and create profound changes in your client's well-being. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or a fresh face in the industry, DNM has something unique to offer: 1. Holistic Philosophy: By understanding the intricate connections between the person, the dermis, the nervous system, and the musculoskeletal system, DNM gives you a holistic perspective that can lead to lasting results. 2. Effective Method: DNM revolves around the concept of gentle, intentional touch, helping you establish a deep connection with your clients and facilitating the body's natural healing mechanisms, ensuring that each treatment is uniquely designed for your client's needs. 3. Incorporate your already established Techniques: From myofascial release to neural mobilization, positional release, and sensory integration, DNM equips you with a robust philosophy of care that you can apply to your favourite techniques, allowing you to address a wide range of conditions and deliver exceptional outcomes that resonate with your clients. About Michael Reoch, RMT: You Instructor Leading this transformative course is none other than Michael Reoch, an RMT with extensive experience in DNM. Michael's passion for teaching and commitment to excellence have made him a trusted name in the industry. His expertise and dedication will ensure you receive the highest quality education and guidance throughout the course. Join Us in Kamloops, BC: Beautiful Surroundings for a Transformative Experience

Don't Miss Out - Secure Your Spot Today: Click the link below!

In the field of Manual Therapy, there are many techniques used to treat people in pain. These techniques involve pushing, pulling, and twisting skin and soft tissue. DNM uses techniques that change the state of the nervous system in the skin, spinal cord and brain to make it less painful and reactive.

Studies have demonstrated that touch has significant psychological and physiological impacts, with the nervous system regulating these effects. To effectively use Manual Therapy as a pain treatment, it's important to comprehend pain physiology through a social, biological, and psychological perspective. Research has indicated that establishing a non-threatening treatment environment for the patient is vital.

The skin is closely tied to the nervous system, which makes up around 2% of our body weight but uses 20% of our O2 and glucose at all times. Nerves do not respond well to sustained mechanical deformation, specifically compression and stretch. Dermoneuromodulating is a method that considers the nervous system of the patient to treat from "skin cell to sense of self." Techniques are usually light, and holds are slow.

DNM is a form of personalized manual care that targets nervous system signals to reduce discomfort and pain. This approach involves collaboration between therapist and patient to alleviate tenderness and improve well-being. Regardless of the damage in the affected area, DNM can effectively reduce pain.

The term DNM Stands for Dermo (skin), Neuro (nervous system) Modulation (a change from one state to another). It is a method of manual therapy/massage therapy used to change the state of the nervous system from a painful hyperactive state to a less painful and reactive one through receptors in the skin.

In Manual Therapy (MT), hundreds of techniques and methods attempt to approach treating people in pain. These maneuvers' speed, duration and force may differ, but the underlying mechanistic effects all follow the same rules. They can all agree that we push, pull and twist skin directly and soft tissue indirectly.

Lately, there has been considerable growth in research around the mechanisms of massage and other manual therapies, with a drift into the neuroscience involved in pain.

Two processes seem to be apparent when we look at the research: 

First, the effects of touch have strong psychological and physiological effects. 

The nervous system controls these effects. 

If we use Manual Therapy as a treatment for pain resolution, we should look at understanding pain physiology within a social, biological and psychological framework. 

What we know from studying the non-specific effects of physical medicine is that we should strive for a treatment environment that creates the least amount of threat to the person being treated; therefore, We should act, dress and keep the treatment space in a way that won’t put the patient on the defensive. 

We know that we touch the skin primarily in manual therapy and that the skin is intimately tied into the nervous system embryologically as both arrive from the ectoderm. 

We know that the Nervous System makes up around 2% of our body by weight but uses 20% of our O2 and Glucose at all times.

The nervous system carries impulses from the peripheral (and from within), which are processed in the spinal cord and Brain to create an output response. If the impulses are deemed dangerous enough, the output is pain. 

We know that pain is a complex process that depends on contextual, psychological and biological factors that mostly happen without our conscious perception and that pain can’t happen without a nervous system. 

The human body has 72 kilometres of nerves, intimately connected to the vascular system millimetre by millimetre.

Nerves do not respond well to sustained mechanical deformation, specifically, compression more than stretch.

Dermoneuromodulating is a method that attempts to take these facts as an underlying framework for an interactive, hands-on approach to treating the experience of pain. It considers the nervous system of the patient to treat from “skin cell to sense of self.” Techniques are usually light, and holds are slow. Limbs and trunk are positioned to affect deeper nerve structures in combination with skin stretch. This is done to potentially shorten and widen a nerve's container, thus reducing mechanical deformation of the nerve. 

Introduction: Manual therapy has undergone a transformation in recent years, with the emergence of innovative approaches like Dermoneuromodulation (DNM). Initially conceptualized by Diane Jacobs and further developed by practitioners like Michael Reoch, DNM represents a paradigm shift in how we understand and treat pain through the interaction of the nervous system and the skin.

Understanding Dermoneuromodulation (DNM): DNM, derived from "Dermo" (skin), "Neuro" (nervous system), and "Modulation" (change), focuses on altering the activity of the nervous system using gentle skin-based techniques. Unlike traditional manual therapy methods, DNM emphasizes creating a safe environment with minimal side effects, making it a valuable adjunct or standalone approach in pain management.

The Evolution of Manual Therapy: Reflecting on the evolution of manual therapy, practitioners have transitioned from conventional biomechanical models towards a deeper understanding of neurology and pain mechanisms. This shift, epitomized by the introduction of DNM, highlights the importance of considering the role of peripheral nerves and cutaneous sensations in therapeutic interventions.

Exploring the Nervous System: An integral aspect of DNM is its focus on the sensory nervous system, which often receives insufficient attention in traditional training programs. Understanding the intricate network of cutaneous nerves and their role in conveying external stimuli is crucial for effective communication with the nervous system and addressing pain.

Unveiling the Truth About Pain: Central to DNM is a nuanced understanding of pain, which goes beyond nociception to encompass cognitive, emotional, and sensory components. By acknowledging pain as a complex phenomenon, manual therapists can employ techniques like DNM to provide novel stimuli and facilitate self-correction within the nervous system.

Harnessing the Power of Manual Therapy: DNM offers several mechanisms through which it can alleviate pain and improve function. By providing new feedback to the nervous system, enhancing vascular function, and promoting comfort-inducing positions, DNM aims to modulate pain responses and restore optimal nervous system function.

The Essence of Dermoneuromodulation: At its core, DNM is an interactive and light form of manual therapy that empowers patients to play an active role in their healing journey. By fostering effective communication and utilizing gentle techniques, DNM practitioners aim to create positive changes in pain perception and motor function.

Conclusion: As manual therapy continues to evolve, approaches like Dermoneuromodulation offer promising avenues for addressing pain and optimizing patient outcomes. By embracing the principles of DNM and incorporating them into clinical practice, therapists can revolutionize their approach to pain management and enhance the well-being of their patients.

It is a two-and-a-half-day workshop that will teach the philosophy, methods and techniques of DNM, which stands for Dermoneuromodulating. The course aims to help people understand pain and the nervous system and includes a hands-on, practical application.

Introducing DNM: Unlocking the Potential of Dermoneuromodulation. Are you an RMT looking to expand your skills, enhance your practice, and deliver exceptional results to your clients? Look no further; we are thrilled to present an exclusive opportunity for RMTs in beautiful Golden, BC, at 806 10th Ave S! DNM: The Complete Integration of Philosophy, Method, and Techniques We are excited to introduce DNM, also known as Dermoneuromodulation, a groundbreaking approach that can revolutionize how you treat your clients. Led by the esteemed Michael Reoch, RMT, our course will take you through the philosophy, method, and techniques of DNM, empowering you to achieve remarkable outcomes for your clients. Why DNM? Unleash Your Full Potential DNM is not just another technique; it's a comprehensive system that allows you to go beyond the ordinary and create profound changes in your client's well-being. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or a fresh face in the industry, DNM has something unique to offer: 1. Holistic Philosophy: By understanding the intricate connections between the person, the dermis, the nervous system, and the musculoskeletal system, DNM gives you a holistic perspective that can lead to lasting results. 2. Effective Method: DNM revolves around the concept of gentle, intentional touch, helping you establish a deep connection with your clients and facilitating the body's natural healing mechanisms, ensuring that each treatment is uniquely designed for your client's needs. 3. Incorporate your already established Techniques: From myofascial release to neural mobilization, positional release, and sensory integration, DNM equips you with a robust philosophy of care that you can apply to your favourite techniques, allowing you to address a wide range of conditions and deliver exceptional outcomes that resonate with your clients. About Michael Reoch, RMT: You Instructor Leading this transformative course is none other than Michael Reoch, an RMT with extensive experience in DNM. Michael's passion for teaching and commitment to excellence have made him a trusted name in the industry. His expertise and dedication will ensure you receive the highest quality education and guidance throughout the course. Join Us in Kamloops, BC: Beautiful Surroundings for a Transformative Experience

Don't Miss Out - Secure Your Spot Today: Click the link below!

In the field of Manual Therapy, there are many techniques used to treat people in pain. These techniques involve pushing, pulling, and twisting skin and soft tissue. DNM uses techniques that change the state of the nervous system in the skin, spinal cord and brain to make it less painful and reactive.

Studies have demonstrated that touch has significant psychological and physiological impacts, with the nervous system regulating these effects. To effectively use Manual Therapy as a pain treatment, it's important to comprehend pain physiology through a social, biological, and psychological perspective. Research has indicated that establishing a non-threatening treatment environment for the patient is vital.

The skin is closely tied to the nervous system, which makes up around 2% of our body weight but uses 20% of our O2 and glucose at all times. Nerves do not respond well to sustained mechanical deformation, specifically compression and stretch. Dermoneuromodulating is a method that considers the nervous system of the patient to treat from "skin cell to sense of self." Techniques are usually light, and holds are slow.

DNM is a form of personalized manual care that targets nervous system signals to reduce discomfort and pain. This approach involves collaboration between therapist and patient to alleviate tenderness and improve well-being. Regardless of the damage in the affected area, DNM can effectively reduce pain.

The term DNM Stands for Dermo (skin), Neuro (nervous system) Modulation (a change from one state to another). It is a method of manual therapy/massage therapy used to change the state of the nervous system from a painful hyperactive state to a less painful and reactive one through receptors in the skin.

In Manual Therapy (MT), hundreds of techniques and methods attempt to approach treating people in pain. These maneuvers' speed, duration and force may differ, but the underlying mechanistic effects all follow the same rules. They can all agree that we push, pull and twist skin directly and soft tissue indirectly.

Lately, there has been considerable growth in research around the mechanisms of massage and other manual therapies, with a drift into the neuroscience involved in pain.

Two processes seem to be apparent when we look at the research: 

First, the effects of touch have strong psychological and physiological effects. 

The nervous system controls these effects. 

If we use Manual Therapy as a treatment for pain resolution, we should look at understanding pain physiology within a social, biological and psychological framework. 

What we know from studying the non-specific effects of physical medicine is that we should strive for a treatment environment that creates the least amount of threat to the person being treated; therefore, We should act, dress and keep the treatment space in a way that won’t put the patient on the defensive. 

We know that we touch the skin primarily in manual therapy and that the skin is intimately tied into the nervous system embryologically as both arrive from the ectoderm. 

We know that the Nervous System makes up around 2% of our body by weight but uses 20% of our O2 and Glucose at all times.

The nervous system carries impulses from the peripheral (and from within), which are processed in the spinal cord and Brain to create an output response. If the impulses are deemed dangerous enough, the output is pain. 

We know that pain is a complex process that depends on contextual, psychological and biological factors that mostly happen without our conscious perception and that pain can’t happen without a nervous system. 

The human body has 72 kilometres of nerves, intimately connected to the vascular system millimetre by millimetre.

Nerves do not respond well to sustained mechanical deformation, specifically, compression more than stretch.

Dermoneuromodulating is a method that attempts to take these facts as an underlying framework for an interactive, hands-on approach to treating the experience of pain. It considers the nervous system of the patient to treat from “skin cell to sense of self.” Techniques are usually light, and holds are slow. Limbs and trunk are positioned to affect deeper nerve structures in combination with skin stretch. This is done to potentially shorten and widen a nerve's container, thus reducing mechanical deformation of the nerve. 

This course is held in the traditional and unceded Musqueam Territory. A donation of $10.00 per student will be made to Charitable donations in support of the IRSSS https://www.irsss.ca/donate

What Is Dermoneuromoduating?

an explanation for a new manual therapy approach

Work smarter not harder to save your body while improving your treatment outcomes. The term DNM Stands for Dermo (skin) Neuro (nervous system) Modulation (a change from one state to another). It is an approach of manual therapy/massage therapy used to change the state of the nervous system from a painful hyperactive state to a less painful and reactive one. Diane Jacobs, a Canadian PT with 40 years of experience, developed DNM to better treat people with chronic and persistent pain. I have had the lucky pleasure to directly learn from and work with Diane over the last four years.

In the world of Manual Therapy (MT) there seems to be hundreds of techniques and methods that attempt to approach treating people in pain. They all can agree that we push-pull and twist skin directly and soft tissue indirectly. The speed, duration, and force of these maneuvers may be different but the underlying mechanistic effects all follow the same rules.

Lately, there has been a large growth in research around the mechanisms of massage and other manual therapies with a drift into the neuroscience involved in pain.

Two processes seem to be apparent when we look at the research:

The effects of touch have strong psychological and physiological effects.

The nervous system controls these effects.

If we are to use Manual Therapy as a treatment for pain resolution, we should understand pain physiology within a social, biological, and psychological framework.

What we know from studying the non-specific effects of physical medicine is that we should strive for a treatment environment that creates the least amount of threat to the person being treated; therefore, We should act, dress, and keep the treatment space in a way that won’t put the patient on the defensive.

We know that we touch the skin primarily in manual therapy and that the skin is intimately tied into the nervous system embryologically as both arrive from the ectoderm.

We know that the Nervous System makes up around 2% of our body by weight but uses 20% of our O2 and Glucose at all times.

The nervous system carries impulses from the peripheral (and from within) which are processed in the spinal chord and brain to create an output response. If the impulses are deemed dangerous enough the output is pain.

We know that pain is a complex process that depends on contextual, psychological, and biological factors that mostly happen without our conscious perception and that pain can’t happen without a nervous system.

There are 72 kilometers of nerves in the human body and are intimately connected to the vascular system millimeter by millimeter.

Nerves do not respond well to sustained mechanical deformation specifically, compression more than stretch.

Dermoneuromodulating is a method that attempts to take these facts as an underlying framework for an interactive, hands-on, approach to treating the experience of pain. It considers the nervous system of the patient to treat from “skin cell to sense of self”. Techniques are usually light and holds are slow. Limbs and trunk are positioned to affect deeper nerve structures in combination with skin stretch. This is done to potentially shorten and widen a nerve's container thus reducing mechanical deformation of the nerve.

The course is hosted at : TBD

Coffee and snacks will be provided for you both days

This course can be taken as a stand-alone for people interested in focusing their knowledge on treating craniofacial pain and pelvic pain complaints or if they are looking to increase their knowledge in using a DNM lense in their practice.

DNM is a new way of interacting with a patient’s nervous system by gently stretching their skin. It uses a particular kind of light stretch that directly communicates with the brain to dampen the pain experience.

The nervous system makes up around two percent of our body by weight, yet needs over twenty percent of the oxygen and glucose delivered to all of our cells. The hypothesis is that DNM helps these nutrients reach our small nerve tissue, thus reducing our "cranky nerves".

The originator of DNM, Diane Jacobs states:

"DermoNeuroModulation is a structured, interactive approach to manual therapy that considers the nervous system of the patient from skin cell to sense of self. Techniques are slow, light, kind, intelligent, responsive and effective. The positioning of limbs and trunk affects deeper nerve trunks and is combined with skin stretch directed toward cutaneous fields of nerves that branch outward into the skin.

Manual handling of a patient's physicality is only a small part of developing a complete therapeutic context for change–while optional, it can also be optimal. Included are simple ways of explaining the nervous system and pain mechanisms to patients prior to treatment." About the Instructors: Jocelyn Kirton graduated from West Coast College of Massage Therapy in 2013 and is a member of good standing with the College of Massage Therapists of BC and the RMTBC.

Jocelyn has taken an interest in treating patients with persistent pain, specifically in the abdominal and pelvic regions. Her foundation built around neurocentric treatments and Dermoneuromodulation has given her the unique opportunity to modify her knowledge in traditional visceral manipulation therapy to allow for a modern and evidence-based approach to persistent abdominal and pelvic pain.

Jocelyn has taught massage at CDI college, giving her students more confidence in treating patients with pelvic pain as she instructed with the women’s health in-reach the college offered to its patients. Alongside the women’s health in reach, Jocelyn also taught the introduction to sports treatment course and oversaw the sports outreach, bridging classroom comprehension and treating athletic patient populations together.

Michael Reoch is a Registered Massage Therapist from Vancouver, British Columbia. He graduated in 2007 from the 3000-hour massage therapy program at WCCMT. Michael was the chair of a special interest group called PPGPain which is for RMTs who have a special interest in treating persistent pain. He has helped develop Pain education programs for RMTs in BC through the RMTBC and PainBC. Also, Michael taught advanced clinical and academic classes at WCCMT. He has been a board member of the RMTBC for five years helping to advance the massage therapy profession through science-based education. Mike currently runs a private practice in British Columbia and teaches DNM classes regularly worldwide.

The course is hosted by :

CDI College South Surrey

105 - 15149 56th Ave.

Surrey, BC

V3S 9A5

What Is Dermoneuromoduating?

an explanation for a new manual therapy approach 

  The term DNM Stands for Dermo (skin) Neuro (nervous system) Modulation (a change from one state to another). It is a method of manual therapy/massage therapy used to change the state of the nervous system from a painful hyperactive state to a less painful and reactive one. Diane Jacobs, a Canadian PT with 40 years experience developed DNM as a way to better treat people with chronic and persistent pain. I have had the lucky pleasure to directly learn from and work with Diane over the last four years.

 In the world of Manual Therapy (MT) there seems to be hundreds of techniques and methods that attempt to approach treating people in pain. One thing they all can agree on is that we push pull and twist skin directly and soft tissue indirectly. The speed, duration and force of these maneuvers may be different but the underlying mechanistic effects all follow the same rules. 

Lately, there has been a large growth in research around the mechanisms of massage and other manual therapies with a drift into the neuroscience involved in pain.

Two processes seem to be apparent when we look at the research:

The effects of touch have strong psychological and physiological effects. 

The nervous system controls these effects. 

If we are to use Manual Therapy as a treatment for pain resolution we should look at really understanding pain physiology within a social, biological and psychological framework. 

What we know from studying the non specific effects of physical medicine is that we should strive for a treatment environment that creates the least amount of threat to the person being treated; therefore, We should act, dress and keep the treatment space in a way that won’t put the patient on the defensive. 

We know that we touch the skin primarily in manual therapy and that the skin is intimately tied into the nervous system embryologically as both arrive from the ectoderm. 

We know that the Nervous System makes up around 2% of our body by weight but uses 20% of our O2 and Glucose at all times.

The nervous system carries impulses from the peripheral (and from within) which are processed in the spinal chord and brain to create an output response. If the impulses are deemed dangerous enough the output is pain. 

We know that pain is a complex process that depends on contextual, psychological and biological factors that mostly happen without our conscious perception and that pain can’t happen without a nervous system. 

There are 72 kilometres of nerves in the human body and is intimately connected to the the vascular system millimetre by millimetre.

Nerves do not respond well to sustained mechanical deformation specifically, compression more than stretch.

 Dermoneuromodulating is a method that attempts to take these facts as a underlying framework for an interactive, hands on, approach to treating the experience of pain. It considers the nervous system of the patient to treat from “skin cell to sense of self”. Techniques are usually light and holds are slow. Limbs and trunk are positioned to affect deeper nerve structures in combination with skin stretch. This is done to potentially shorten and widen a nerve's container thus reducing mechanical deformation of the nerve.