The Dorn Method with Alison Bartram

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Please call the studio to book on 01702 478 924 between 9:30 and 13:30, Mon-Fri or leave a message and we will call you back.

If you’re suffering with back and joint pain, Alison Bartram has trained to use a Spinal and Joint Realignment technique called The Dorn Method. It focusses on realigning any joint which is not seated comfortably, but without using forceful manipulation or cracking of the joints – unlike other alignment methods.

In addition to the therapist’s hands-on work, it also has some useful self-help exercises that people can utilise in their daily life as well as being complementary after yoga/pilates sessions.

The Dorn Method puts a lot of focus on the hip joint, which is our least evolved joint. This joint benefits from simple and quick self-adjustment exercises which are best repeated on a regular basis and would be good to do after yoga practice. With any mobilising of the hip joint beyond 90 degrees flexion (even sitting in a car seat for too long on a journey, or sitting with crossed legs at the knee) there is subtle levering of the joint away from its ideal location in the joint capsule. Where yoga practice benefits us by stretching and releasing soft tissues and fascia, The Dorn Method’s self-help exercises complement yoga (or other extremes of movement) as well as daily living by helping to gently, subtly relocate and re-seat the joint in its optimal position – so with Yoga and Dorn you get the best of both worlds.

After a Dorn Method treatment where someone has a more chronic problem, such as persistent back or neck pain, it is important to avoid stretching for 2-3 days after the treatment to enable the joint to enjoy and relearn its optimal position. A one-off treatment would suit most people with minor alignment issues, whereas 1-3 sessions over a month might be more typical with a chronic problem. With curvatures or more extreme problems more regular sessions would likely be required to bring alignment changes through a repeated process.

A monthly maintenance Dorn Method realignment session (1hr), which includes a soothing realignment Breuss spinal massage (approx 20-30 mins as appropriate to the client) is really enjoyed by clients (extremely relaxing). This unique massage (using nervous system supporting herbal oil) encourages the spine to stretch and realign, and brings synovial fluid and nutrients to the spaces between vertebrae.

The Breuss massage can also be a stand-alone 30 min massage if required.

The therapy is suitable from childhood to old age, though not appropriate in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Alison Bartram is currently the only person in the Southend area trained to use the Dorn Method.

Leaflets with more information are available in reception.