NRRT™
Neuro Rocking Release Therapy™
Let’s be honest, there aren’t many published studies regarding the benefits of medically applied rocking at the moment and that’s because this is a pioneering concept and that makes Neuro-rocking Release Therapy™ creator, developer and practitioners, pioneers in the field. There are a few scientific studies out there that have proven the benefits of medically applied rocking for dementia, Alzheimer’s, fibromyalgia, sleep disorders, c-section and hysterectomy recovery and war veterans’ PTSD.
We, the NRRT™ family and since we started this fascinating journey, have been actively involved in gathering data from our student’s case studies and clients that shows that NRRT™ is also beneficial for dissociative seizures, IBS, back pain, anxiety, post-stroke recovery, autism, ADHD and more, due to the additions of and influences from:
- medically applied Neuro-Linguistic Programming – developed by Richard Bandler and John Grinder in the 1970s.
- traditional Chinese medicine wisdom – Ana Guerrero, creator, developer and teacher of NRRT is a Chinese medicine practitioner herself.
- the principles of Gestalt psychotherapy – developed by Laura Perls, her husband Frederick (Fritz) Perls and Paul Goodman in the 1040s-50s.
- the principles of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy – developed by Dr Francine Shapiro in the 1980s to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- vagus nerve stimulation – a highly important nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS), the rest and relax side of the coin, the other one being the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), the fight/flight/freeze/friend in the face of challenging events.
SO WHAT EXACTLY IS NEURO-ROCKING RELEASE THERAPY™?
NRRT™ is a somatic awareness type of therapy consisting of inducing a gentle rocking motion to the receiver’s body, full body Shiatsu-style stretches and other goodies you’ll have to experience for yourself! Movement is key to our physical, emotional and psychological health and it is known by Chinese medicine practitioners that Qi and Blood tend to get stagnated or blocked in the body’s joints the most due to them being complex crossroads of structures, which is the reason why arthritis, osteoarthritis, systemic inflammatory diseases, some viral infections and other ailments tend to affect the joints the most.
The bilateral brain stimulation produced by a consistent rocking motion, resets the central nervous system (CNS) by balancing the responses of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems (P-SNS).
And as mentioned above, NRRT™ is strongly influenced by modern neuroscience, Gestalt psychotherapy, NLP and traditional Chinese medicine.
Brain activity regulation induced by bilateral somatic movement stimulation is not new. Many of us are aware of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy which was initially developed for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. NRRT™ promotes a sense of wellbeing and peace within.
Some other common activities that have a similar effect are walking, jogging, playing and listening to music, swimming… With NRRT™ and because it is a somatic modality, the receiver also gets to actively practice trust, receiving, allowing, letting go of the need to control and finally surrendering.
Why is this important? Because in the stressed modern societies, the collective aim is to push, achieve, get, chase, hassle, control and we live in a chronic state of urgency. Very rarely do we take a moment to consciously honour ourselves, to soften up the hard fists of our body and mind, to surrender, to breathe, to unfold like the petals of a rose. Time to reflect, learn and grow. We need somatic awareness moments to realise the parts of ourselves that are tight, mentally and physically, and what this does to our health: poor digestion, insomnia, neck tension, headaches, fatigue, poor relationships, shortness of breathe, anxiety, high blood pressure, binge-consuming….. the list goes on.
Therapeutic interventions such as massage, acupuncture, reiki, conscious exercise and of course, NRRT™, are an excellent and mostly pleasant opportunity to connect with ourselves and heal while an expert holds a safe space for us.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A NRRT™ APPOINTMENT?
- On your first appointment, you will fill and intake form that includes a medical history, mental health questionnaire -if the reasons for your visit is so require.
- After consultation, the treatment will begin. NRRT™ is received on a massage table and fully clothed. The only requirement is to wear either joggers or leggings and a plain top -no hoodie, strings, mesh or anything that could obstruct the work. Also, the least amount of jewellery possible. This is a movement therapy and elastic clothes are most recommended.
- Session closure. This is when we complete the Gestalt of your somatic experience and, together, create the Neuro-Linguistic Programming anchor for you to leave with a valuable tool.
** We recommend 6 sessions (6-week treatment) and regular journaling during this period, for optimal integration of the subtle and yet profound changes you will experience.
what are some of the benefits of NRRT™?
Cardiovascular: Rocking lowers the heart rate and blood pressure; it stimulates the blood circulation and spreads warmth throughout the body.
Immune: Rocking stimulates the lymphatic system aiding with the elimination of debris from the chemical processes and toxins from food, water, substances and drugs. The lymphatic system, unlike the cardiovascular system, does not have a pump; it relays on the movement of the body to flow freely and avoid stagnation of fluids such as oedema around the joints, especially in the lower limbs.
A free-flowing lymphatic system fights efficiently against invasions from external pathogenic factors (EPF) and “ingrown” imbalances resulting from strong emotions, unresolved trauma, negative and limiting mindsets and poor habits.
Nervous system: Rocking has a profound effect on the human nervous system and science proves that humans are wired to respond to rocking. It helps our development in the early years of life and it soothes the nervous system. Rocking reduces the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) overload (fight/flight/freeze mode) which has become a pandemic and a chronic state of being among the citizens of modern societies. People are angry, anxious, snappy, frustrated, unsatisfied, over-emotional or under-emotional (freeze mode), relationships do not last longer than a few months, parents and children cut ties, the suicide rate is the highest it has ever been, high rates of infertility too, there are school shootings, acid attacks, social media bullying… you name it.
The SNS relays in the amygdala in the centre of the brain, adjacent to the hippocampus (responsible for memory forming too). The amygdala activates in the face of perceived danger or threat and is the chief in the processing of emotions and memories associated with fear. The amygdala is overactive and dysregulated in cases of PTSD, triggering inappropriate responses such as aggression, withdrawal, fight, freeze, fly. Also, loss of appetite or over-eating, feeling stuck in life, hypersensitivity.
The PNS – the relaxation system – is activated by rocking and it sends signals of safety, comfort, calm, wellbeing, relaxation by the release of certain hormones such as serotonin (the mood stabiliser), dopamine (the reward chemical), oxytocin (the love hormone and endorphins (the pain killer) which are involved in many essential processes like heart rate and digestion as well as mood regulation. In a regulated nervous system, the endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, digestive, urinary, reproductive, skeletal and lymphatic systems function smoothly and one feels content. Most chronic pain cases have a strong psycho-emotional component and a dysregulation of the nervous system.
- The rocking motion has a synchronising effect on the brain, triggering an activation of the PNS and a regulation of the SNS.
- Rocking stimulates the balance mechanism of the inner ear which creates a better sense of space and clean alert.
- Rocking establishes a healthy heart rate.
- Rocking stimulates Qi, blood and lymphatic circulation.
- It spreads body temperature evenly preventing cold hands and feet.
- It helps the receiver become aware of where they are holding and it gives them the opportunity to release if they choose to do so.
- Life is rhythm, frequency, pulsing. Rocking helps people connect with their body’s rhythm. Combining and experiencing slow and fast movements through the NRRT™ helps completing the oscillation spectrum map of each individual, bringing a deeper sense of integration within their own skin.
- Mammalian brains are wired to respond to being rocked and there is now science to show that swaying to sleep may result in falling asleep faster, better quality sleep and improved memory and concentration.
- Rocking a baby provides a better medium for the child’s development.
- The right and left brain communication bridges strengthen resulting in more balanced and inspired action by the individual. Not too logic and rigid, not too creative and chaotic. Balance restores via rocking.
- Rocking maintains muscle tone and supple joints and it is considered a mild form of exercise.
- It reduces pain, anxiety, depression, stress, hypo and hypersensitivity.
- Helps lower blood pressure and promotes digestion.
- Resets the spine thanks to a “wavy snake” motion.
what inspired me to developing this modality of healing?
Over my years of study, clinical practice, self-experience and especially after discovering Chinese medicine and acupuncture, I have come to the conclusion that a big part of healing lies in the nervous system as it connects all the other systems in the body (so does the fascia, by the way) and it relies on movement to interact with and learn from the word around us, make sense of it, survive, grow and thrive.
Having experienced moments of rocking as a therapeutic approach during my trainings -and as a child- back in Spain, before arriving to England in 2008, I could not help but incorporate it here and there in my regular massage and acupuncture treatments in York. I found that the benefits for the receiver were interesting to say the least. I was called to developing a somatic modality of healing involving rocking mostly.
I felt a fire in my belly and a tickle in my brain. I wanted to know more! I asked some of my clients if they’d like to contribute by allowing me to test certain techniques and approaches. They were ever so helpful and I am so grateful for it! I was positively surprised to see that my clients received it extremely well and found it of benefit.
What did I do next? Well, after my kinaesthetic exploration and findings, I researched scientific papers, studies, trials and articles related to rocking for different health conditions and I was pleased to find a few. Only a few though. This doesn’t mean that medically applied rocking isn’t effective, it just means we have a lot to learn still and I am all here for it.
- I created a science- informed therapeutic somatic sequence made of different components and put it to test in 2021, when I run a small study with great results.
- In 2022, clients were booking the therapy more frequently. Most people repeat! I knew I was onto something and I wanted to share it!! What if Neuro-Rocking Release Therapy™ could reach more people? Such a natural, non-invasive, gentle, caring healing modality with many wonderful effects. But how do I share it? Teach it? Public talks? Scary!! I have never done anything like this. But how could I not share what I had found?
- I taught the first NRRT™ course in York in October 2022 for York-based practitioners. In 2023 I run workshops in 3 festivals and taught another 2 courses across the country. It has had an overwhelming, positive response and attention to the point that I have been struggling to keep up! I run daily clinical practice in York. I have gone through doubt, fear, neurodivergent overwhelm and I am still standing, inspired, committed to this wonderful venture. One of the tools that has helped me during this creative process is EMDR. I’m ever so grateful to Dan! Also a NRRT™ practitioner himself.
The plans for the future are to make the course available online so that it is more accessible and apply for funding to run a study with 50 subjects to prove its benefits. But first and foremost, keep rocking lives!
Ana Guerrero; Creator, developer and teacher of NRRT™. May 25th 2024
NRRT™ can help with...
- Chronic pain
- Overactive and underactive thyroid
- Reducing high levels of stress
- Feeling on edge, snappy temper and anger issues
- Improving sleep quality
- People in state of shock
- Anxiety
- PTSD manifestations such as dissociative seizures.
- Trauma held in the body (pain, tension, tightness in chest, poor digestion, stiffness, headaches...)
- Fluid retention (oedema) and bloatedness
- Post a bed-bound period
- Depression
- Aging patients with poor memory and/or tremors
- Emotional stuckness and lack of inspiration
- Heaviness and lethargy
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Post-stroke recovery
- Bipolar disorder
NRRT™ can be applied on its own or as part of another treatment, be it talking therapy, osteopathy, acupuncture, rehabilitation, speech therapy…. It can be an excellent addition to any form of therapy as it gets the receiver’s nervous system ready and open for healing in whatever modality it presents.
REFRAIN FROM BOOKING IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING
- Severe personality disorders: sociopathy, psychopathy, narcissistic personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, paranoid schizophrenia, histrionic personality disorder, multiple personality disorder now known as dissociative identity disorder. Only a registered psychotherapist or psychiatrist may use NRRT™ on these clients.
- Motion sickness
- Cold and flu
- Thrombosis, DVT or a clotting disorder
- Pregnancy. The only reason pregnant ladies can’t have NRRT™ is that we haven’t developed it to accommodate them yet but we are working on it.
- Spinal cord injury could cause stenosis if irritated. Stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal cord, caused mostly by changes in the spine, related to arthritis. Most common on the lumbar spine.
- Periostitis: inflammation of the sheath of the bones. Avoid in flare up stage.
- Gout: inflammation due excess uric acid. Avoid in flare up stage.
- Meningitis
- Severe unexplained internal pain
- Poor kidney or liver function
- Kidney infection
- Lymphoedema
- Chronic active hepatitis
- Infectious skin conditions
- Bleeding disorders such as haemophilia
FEES
- £65 for the initial 75-minute session: medical history, assessment of goals and treatment
- Subsequent sessions are £50 for 1 hour
- A pack of 5 x 1 hour is £225
- It can also be combined with acupuncture at our York clinic, within a 90-minute appointment, £90
Would you like to become a certified NRRT™ therapist?
Read the course description here.
Do not hesitate to contact me and show your interest. Each course runs as soon as we have enough people. To be added to the waiting list, Contact Us!
Check out our NRRT™ Directory
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