Spinal Flow Technique: Gentle. Nothing Is Forced.

Spinal Flow is a very gentle, hands on technique created by Dr Carli Axford, a former chiropractor. It uses light, precise touch on specific access points to help release stress and blockages held in the spine and nervous system, so your body can return to a calmer, more balanced state.

You lie fully clothed on a table or a mat while I make light contact at access points on the head and along the spine (there are 33 in all). There is no cracking, twisting or pushing. Most people feel deeply relaxed, and some drift into a light, meditative state.

Spinal Flow was created by a former chiropractor, but it is different: there is no cracking, popping, twisting or adjusting, and I am not a chiropractor. It works with flow rather than resistance or force. If you would like a very gentle approach to spinal and nervous system care, it may be a good fit. It is not a replacement for medical care. There is a fuller answer in Spinal Flow or a chiropractor?

Many people come with back and neck pain and find their body feels looser and more relaxed. Spinal Flow focuses on releasing stress from the nervous system, which can influence how tension is held in the body. It is not a diagnosis or a cure, so please see your doctor about persistent or severe pain. There is more on the back pain page.

Chiropractic and osteopathy often use manual adjustments or manipulation; Spinal Flow uses very light touch with no manipulation. Because it also involves light touch on the head and sacrum, it may remind you of craniosacral therapy, but it has its own framework, built around the seven gateways of the spine and 33 access points.

They are the framework at the heart of Spinal Flow. Each gateway relates to an area of the spine and the kinds of stress that can be stored there, whether physical, emotional or chemical. Together with the 33 access points, they guide where I work in a session. The seven gateways are Awaken, Pause, Passion, Centre, Power, Foundation and Base. Read more about the seven gateways.

No. It is a body based approach focused on the nervous system, using light touch to support your body's natural ability to regulate itself. The contact is physical, at specific points along the spine, rather than work with an energy field around the body.

Yes, that is a big part of what people love about it. As your nervous system relaxes, stored stress and emotion can release without you having to talk about it. You may feel calm, or you may feel emotional. Both are fine.

Yes, it is very gentle. It is suitable for people of all ages, including babies and children, and it is very low risk. I always ask about your health before we start.

Spinal Flow is gentle enough for children of all ages, and sessions are adapted to suit them. Your child can stay in contact with you the whole time, or lie down on their own, depending on their age and needs, and we go at their pace. Spinal Flow does not treat or cure ADHD or autism, and neurodivergent children do not need fixing, but many parents tell me their child seems calmer and more settled.

Yes. Sessions with little ones are flexible and playful, and can happen on your lap, on your tummy or even during a feed. It is very gentle and there is no pressure. Sessions for babies and children up to eight are shorter, at £25; see the booking page for details.

Many people find it deeply calming. By helping the nervous system switch out of stress mode, it can support rest, sleep and a sense of ease. It is a support, not a treatment for any condition.

It varies. Some people feel a shift after one session, while others come regularly as part of looking after themselves. Spinal Flow works best with consistency, so we can agree a plan that suits you and your goals, with no pressure. Packages of six sessions (£230) and twelve (£450) are on the booking page, and the twelfth session includes a free reassessment with new posture photos.

Your first session lasts around seventy minutes and costs £70. At The Brave Studio in Olney I carry out a full posture and gateway assessment, go through your health history, and take posture photos to look back on later. Then we move into thirty minutes of Spinal Flow. Sessions after that are thirty minutes of Spinal Flow, at £45.

Group sessions can be very powerful. Many people find it easier to relax in a calm space shared with others, and there is a real sense of support in the room. One to one sessions give you more personal attention. Both are good options, and a group is an excellent choice for a family who would all like to feel calmer together.

No. You stay fully clothed at all times. The touch is light and specific, mostly on the head and the lower back, particularly the sacrum and the coccyx, and I always explain what I am doing.

Most people feel deeply relaxed, and some notice warmth, tingling, emotional release or sleepiness. Afterwards you may feel calm, light, tired or a little emotional. Drink water and rest if you can.

People come for many reasons, including stress, tension, sleep, emotional overwhelm, aches and pains, digestive trouble, back or neck pain, posture and general wellbeing. It is not a diagnosis or a treatment for any specific condition, and I always encourage you to keep working with your doctor.