Polarity Practitioner Helps With Bodies
by Stephanie Hanville

Nancy Turcich's life changed when she fell off a cliff. The fall broke her wrist and her back. She was paralyzed and in pain like she had never previously encountered. Through her recovery, she had to learn to walk again, she had to learn to live again.

Her long-term experience with traditional doctors and hospitals awakened her desire to help others. Eventually, this led her to a career in natural massage therapy and she became a Registered Polarity Practitioner.

Nancy explains, "I know what pain is. I may not know your pain, but I know what pain is. We can relate. People tend to open up more because of what I've been through."

According to Nancy, Polarity involves working with the body's energy. "Even physical therapists recognize there is muscular energy. If you sprain your ankle, you can immediately feel the energy which appears in the form of heat. Polarity Therapy works to create a balance in the body and allow the energy to flow freely," she said.

Three types of touch are used in Polarity Therapy: satvic, rajasic, and tamasic. "Satvic is a soft touch, just holding an area on or above the body. Rajasic is a rocking motion with more energy or pressure applied. Tamasic is heavy pressure used in dense areas of the body. At the end of a session, a soothing touch is always done." Turcich said.

According to Turcich, the practice of Polarity was developed by a doctor who was a chiropractor, naturopath and osteopath. It is based on the Indian discipline of Ayurveda.

" Polarity combines eastern and western philosophy, analyzing body types and how they relate to specific body parts."

"The physical structure of the body relates to air, fire, water, earth and ether. For example, earthy types are stocky, solid, and grounded. The parts of the body related to earth are the knees, the colon, and the neck," Turcich said.

Air types relate to the ankles, kidneys, and the shoulders. Water types to the feet, genitals, and the chest/breasts and fire relates to the thighs, solar plexus and head (mainly the eyes), according to Turcich. When you are completely in balance that is an ether state.

The goal of a Polarity session is to get people to become aware of what is happening in their bodies. "It is an awakening."

"There are cross currents in the body and I' m taking your energy and assisting its motion. Many times in a treatment you' ll feel a lot of tingling going on. This is the energy moving. Everything is connected and working on one part affects other parts," Turcich said.

Sometimes working with the body's energy also releases emotions. "The sharing and trust allows emotions to surface. Your body takes it in and holds it until you're ready to deal with it. When emotional things come up, it is the person who brings them to life. Everything opens when you are ready to deal with it. Physically, we experience many things as pain which deters us from going through the door of the emotion." Nancy explained.

"When there is an emotional release, if you want to talk that is fine, if not, that is acceptable as well."

Turcich has a gentle and empowering philosophy based in awareness. "Be aware but not afraid. If you feel that you are at the end of your rope, remember there is always an alternative."

"If you' re looking for an answer, look to yourself. It has to come from you."

"Let things flow as freely as possible. Peace is attainable. It is all about finding the peace within. After that everything should follow," Turcich said.

The length of a session depends on the individual, but most last for one hour and fifteen minutes. "I hate to be rushed," Turcich said.

Polarity works with stress, whiplash, headaches, migraines, ankle and knee problems, joint dysfunction and insomnia, according to Turcich.

Turcich is originally from Chicago and arrived in Prescott Arizona in January 1994. Nancy has been providing bodywork services to the public since 1986. She worked with hospitals and chiropractors in Chicago.

"I was headed for physical therapy as a profession and I ended up at massage school. I'm helping people with their bodies and that is what I want to do," Turcich said.

For more details about holistic therapy and Nancy's experience with healing refer to her book Finding My Way Through Paralysis To Holistic Health.

Reproduction of articles are permitted by Nancy M. Turcich, NTS, RPP, RPE, author and holistic bodyworker, with acknowledgements and credentials included.

For further information or questions, please contact Nancy @ Natural Massage Therapy at 928-717-1251, nmt1@naturalmassagetherapy.com.

All articles are for informational/educational purposes only. This information does not take the place of current treatment plans nor medications prescribed. Always consult your physician to determine the most beneficial course of treatment for your individual needs.