Agave NM

03/07/2025

Important. Oromyofunctional therapy isn't well known, but correct muscle function is crucial to facial development.
https://sleepworldmagazine.com/2024/08/16/how-orofacial-myofunctional-therapy-can-aid-in-the-treatment-of-sleep-disordered-breathing/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLTVIBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHp2OF3_5OuYtw2JxjX-ejkVGIxSAUhmRs6gTU1kWXv25p_2zK3LsZ6leVXJ7_aem_HdOmccY4Uek059_10E9hoQ

There has been an increasing number of studies looking at orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) as a promising adjunctive treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).1 OMT essentially helps the patient to retrain the muscles around the face, mouth, and tongue to establish correct oral rest posture a...

19/06/2025

"Emerging research suggests that the body’s fascia—its connective tissue network—can store emotional “memories.” When fascia tightens under chronic stress or trauma, it can trap emotional residue, leading not just to pain but distortions in energy and mood."

What if emotion isn’t a problem to solve, but a sense that unlocks clarity, calm, and inner resilience? There is surprising science behind how we feel.

05/06/2025

Craniosacral Therapy!
"Researchers have discovered a safe, non-invasive way to enhance the brain’s waste clearance system by mechanically stimulating lymphatic vessels just beneath the facial skin. This gentle technique significantly improves cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage—a critical function that declines with age and contributes to cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s."

Researchers have discovered a safe, non-invasive way to enhance the brain’s waste clearance system by mechanically stimulating lymphatic vessels just beneath the facial skin.

07/05/2025

The tongue is important for many aspects of health. And it influences - through fascia - many different parts of the body, down to the toes!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18nECz9xaF/

Did you know that the position and function of your tongue play a vital role in your overall well-being?

Here are five ways the tongue exerts its impact:
1. Facial Aesthetics
Proper tongue posture helps shape your facial structure, contributing to a more balanced and attractive appearance.
2. Airway Health
The tongue’s position can help maintain an open airway—reducing the risk of snoring, sleep apnea, and other breathing issues.
3. Speech Clarity
Your tongue controls articulation and clarity, acting as the silent conductor behind your words.
4. Oral Health
It helps clean the teeth and move saliva, supporting a healthy mouth and reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
5. Swallowing & Digestion
The tongue initiates swallowing and guides food efficiently, playing a key role in digestion and nutrient absorption.

Understanding tongue function is essential for total-body health.

16/01/2025

Fascinating
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14HyRZg6Wt/

Scientists have discovered a new type of skeletal tissue called lipocartilage, found in the ears, nose, and throat of mammals. Unlike regular cartilage, which relies on an external structure for support, lipocartilage is packed with fat-rich cells called lipochondrocytes that give it unique durability and flexibility—think of it like bubble wrap. These cells maintain a constant size and keep their fat reserves locked in place, making the tissue soft, springy, and incredibly stable.

This discovery, led by researchers at UC Irvine and published in Science, could revolutionize regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. For humans, it opens the door to groundbreaking treatments for facial defects, injuries, and cartilage-related diseases. Currently, reconstructive surgeries often require harvesting rib cartilage, which is invasive and painful. In the future, doctors could grow personalized lipocartilage from a patient’s stem cells, then use 3D printing to create precise shapes. This could help repair damage from birth defects like cleft noses, traumatic injuries, or diseases such as arthritis that degrade cartilage.

Lipocartilage could also play a role in improving quality of life for those with respiratory or ear issues. For example, its ability to maintain structural integrity and flexibility makes it a perfect candidate for rebuilding soft tissue in areas like the nose or trachea, potentially aiding people with airway collapse or other structural defects. Its unique properties might also be used to restore cartilage damaged by chronic conditions, such as osteoarthritis, where the cushioning tissue in joints wears down over time.

The study revealed that lipochondrocytes suppress fat-breaking enzymes to preserve their fat content. Without these fats, the tissue becomes brittle, proving the fat-filled cells are key to its elasticity and resilience. Interestingly, some animals, like bats, have lipocartilage arranged in intricate shapes to improve hearing by modulating sound waves.

This breakthrough challenges old ideas about biomechanics and suggests new ways to harness lipids in medical treatments. By understanding how these cells maintain their stability and resist aging, researchers hope to unlock novel therapies for repairing cartilage, combating degenerative diseases, and even improving outcomes in reconstructive surgeries. With its potential to transform how we treat structural and cartilage-related conditions, lipocartilage could significantly enhance human health and quality of life.

26/07/2024

https://www.mybabymassage.net/podcast/craniosacral-therapy-for-infants2?fbclid=IwY2xjawEP0NxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHbrDWk0V6d5g6ZtnUVmXVNHadQp5unq_Pzl10h-lU0-kpthuQTxZMfZ8fg_aem_hdG1tcOgl1FvWo6asHjLSw

In this podcast episode, occupational therapist Susan Vaughan Kratz, talks about bodywork and how she assists families through craniosacral therapy for infants.

27/01/2024

This is an exciting new discovery!
CST works with CSF so this discovery holds new possibilities!

Researchers discovered a crucial network of lymphatic vessels at the back of the nose, which significantly contributes to draining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the brain.

05/01/2024

At the end of 2023, I took a leap of faith and added fascial stretch therapy (FST) to my craniosacral (CST) work - and ended up with an unexpectedly beautiful melding of the two modalities.
Give it a try! You will not regret it.
https://sites.google.com/agavenm.com/home/home

26/11/2023

https://news.tulane.edu/pr/could-vitamin-deficiency-cause-%E2%80%98double-jointedness%E2%80%99-and-troubling-connective-tissue-disorder?fbclid=IwAR1dEXkk2YMcELwQW2fMrK968gtFnp09MjIDIehvL6cm-1bZmDv9MulXr7A

Tulane University researchers have discovered a possible genetic cause for hypermobility (commonly known as double-jointedness) and a range of associated connective tissue disorders such as Eh

10/11/2023

Behind a paywall, but an excellent piece on fascia, what it does, why it's important.

Fascia is more important than previously thought. Here’s how, and why, you should care for yours.

08/11/2023

Fascial work - including craniosacral and fascial stretch - can help calm the nervous system.

There are stress-related disorders not directly linked to stress.