For more than three decades, Carol Thomas LMT, CST, has been helping others relieve their physical and emotional pain with various modalities, including various massage styles, CranioSacral Therapy (CST), and Somato Emotional Release (SER). A Utah College of Massage Therapy graduate, Thomas also studied CranioSacral Therapy through the Upledger Institute in Palm Gardens, Florida. Thomas is also schooled in SER, a therapeutic process that expands on the principles of CST to help a person rid their body of the residual effects of past injury and negative experiences. “SER and CST are based on university research conducted by John E. Upledger and biophysicist Zui Karni from 1975 to 1983 at Michigan State University,” she explains. “I chose to offer this to the community based on my own experiences of healing and the positive results I have witnessed to free dysfunction as a result of this work.”

According to Thomas, currently practicing at Navarre Healing Arts in Navarre, Florida, SER is a holistic, somatic approach that can help people gain deeper insight into how their held trauma influences their physical and emotional health. “SER can support the personal transition from dysfunction and unresolved issues toward wellness and optimal function,” she affirms. “It has been shown to improve the functioning of the central nervous system as well as many other systems of the body such as digestive, musculoskeletal, respiratory, circulatory and more. SER has been shown to help with PTSD, depression and anxiety as well.”

Thomas shares that experiencing an emotional release can bring a combination of physical and emotional sensations such as a lightening of bodily tension or a sense of peace. It is common for a person to report feeling lighter or more connected to their true self after releasing pent-up emotions.

Unlike a traditional massage where the client's body is on a table and their muscles are being manipulated by the therapist. “In an SER and CST session the pressure is no more than five grams—the weight of a nickel—and I follow the client’s facial movements to balance cerebral spinal fluid flow throughout the body. Every experience is unique and can't be duplicated,” confirms Thomas. “I offer my introduction to CST, which is a fusion of traditional massage to address possible ‘expected’ or ‘anticipated’ sensations and then morph into the actual CST and SER work. A level of trust must be present to facilitate the release of energy and emotion. Also, the body continues to release, unwind and balance for three to five days after the session ends.”

Thomas is confirmed to assist in teaching in the classroom this year at The Upledger Institute. This international school focusing on CranioSacral Therapy education offers advanced classes including, but not limited to, brain mapping and working with dolphins to assist in the therapy. “It is common knowledge that muscle remembers movement but not so common knowledge that emotions and trauma are remembered in the fascia,” she says. “I hope to assist others in their healing journey and teach other therapists to learn this approach.”

Navarre Healing Arts is located at 7552 Navarre Pkwy., Ste. 44 in Navarre. For more information, call 850-936-5300 or visit NavarreHealingArts.com. Reviews are available online and on Yelp