Kayla Duncan LMT

03/02/2026

Abdominal massage has many benefits including constipation relief, scar management for post surgical and post c section scars, and even regulating the nervous system!

,

The Enteric Nervous System

After a beautiful week of helping my fellow therapists dive deeper into the enteric nervous system, I realized how many of us may not fully understand this incredible inner steward. It is quiet, vigilant, and continually tracking our inner terrain. How often does this system get overlooked?

Most people know it as “the gut.” The stomach. Digestion. Something that should quietly do its job in the background as long as we eat well enough and manage stress properly. But the enteric nervous system is not passive, and it is not secondary. It is intelligent. It is responsive. And it is deeply involved in how we experience safety, emotion, and regulation.

This inner caretaker lives entirely within the digestive tract, stretching from the esophagus to the colon, woven through layers of smooth muscle and connective tissue. It contains hundreds of millions of neurons, more than the spinal cord itself. Communicating constantly with the brain, the heart, and the immune system, yet it can function on its own. It makes decisions. It adapts. It remembers.

The enteric nervous system manages digestion, yes, but it also monitors threat, modulates stress responses, and plays a decisive role in emotional processing. It is exquisitely sensitive to rhythm, environment, and touch. That is why emotions so often show up in the belly before they reach our lips.

Anxiety often tightens the belly before fear ever finds words, and grief dulls appetite before the heart understands what has been lost. And under chronic stress, the gut becomes a holding place.

When the nervous system perceives a threat, resources are diverted from digestion. Blood flow shifts, stress hormones rise, and peristalsis slows or becomes erratic. The microbiome adapts to a body preparing for survival instead of nourishment. Over time, this state becomes familiar, and familiarity begins to feel like a baseline.

Because the enteric nervous system does not respond to logic or reassurance, you cannot talk it into safety; it learns through sensation, through rhythm, through the difference between being rushed and being met. It is exquisitely attuned to touch, pace, and presence, just as any living creature would be.

This is why the belly is such a powerful place to begin.

Research consistently shows that gentle, intentional abdominal contact increases parasympathetic activity, improves vagal tone, and supports heart rate variability. Stress chemistry begins to soften, digestion improves, and inflammation quiets. The nervous system receives a clear message that it no longer has to stay on guard.

What many of us don't realize is that most of the body’s serotonin is produced in the gut. Mood, sleep, and emotional resilience are intimately tied to this system. When the enteric nervous system is overwhelmed, even the most self-aware person can feel emotionally unsteady. When it feels safe, things begin to reorganize quietly, often without conscious effort. This is why I return here again and again within my work.

Not to uncover stories, or to chase emotional release, but to honor the system that has been carrying a heavy load from the very beginning. The system that adapts silently, holds stress without complaint, and keeps the body moving forward when life demands more than feels possible.

The abdomen is not just another place to work, but a neurological crossroads, a sensory hub, and often the first place the body tells the truth. When we understand this, our touch, our pacing, and our outcomes change.

Tomorrow, I want to take you further into this landscape and show you how abdominal work becomes a conversation rather than a technique, and why beginning here can change everything that follows.

02/02/2026

Pain is difficult to treat if you don’t have the proper tools. Specialized massage therapy and bodywork are incredible for managing and correcting nociplastic pain! Treating the brain and the body is the answer!

28/01/2026

Schedule a massage if you need treatment support or pain management in this awful weather! ❄️

, , , , ,

27/01/2026

Intraoral massage is the best!!

Lymphatic Drainage of the the Oral Cavity via the Soft Palate

This image shows how lymphatic fluid from the back of the mouth and soft palate drains into deeper lymph nodes of the neck.

Where lymph begins. The soft palate contains fine lymphatic capillaries. These collect excess fluid, immune cells, and waste from. The soft palate. The posterior oral cavity. The palatine tonsils. The adjacent oropharynx

These capillaries are the starting point of lymph flow.

Direction of lymph flow. Lymph flows posteriorly (backward) and laterally to the sides Green arrows in the image show this gentle directional movement. This flow is slow and depends on natural body movements rather than a pump

First drainage stations

Lymph then drains into deeper lymph nodes, including Retropharyngeal lymph nodes. Located behind the throat. Important for immune surveillance of the throat, tonsils, and upper airway. Upper deep cervical lymph nodes. Especially the jugulodigastric tonsillar node, found under the jaw

A key drainage point for the soft palate and tonsillar region

How lymph keeps moving

The lower part of the image highlights actions that naturally assist lymph flow, Swallowing, Nasal breathing, Tongue and jaw movement

These actions gently compress tissues and help move lymph onward into the main cervical lymphatic pathways, eventually returning fluid to the bloodstream.

Matters clinically

This pathway helps explain links between. Throat tightness or fullness, Tonsillar congestion, Sinus or head pressure, Jaw, neck, and upper airway lymphatic load

It also shows why gentle techniques not forceful pressure and functional movements can support lymphatic health in this region.

Important safety note

The soft palate and deep neck lymph nodes are delicate structures. Any intra-oral or upper-neck lymph work should be. Gentle, Within scope of practice. Performed by a qualified professional

26/01/2026

Massage is not a luxury. It’s legitimate healthcare!

People look at me some sort of way when I say I get a massage at least once a month — so let’s clear something up.

Massage is healthcare. Period.

It regulates the nervous system.
It lowers stress hormones.
It improves circulation and lymphatic flow.
It reduces chronic tension before it becomes chronic pain.
It supports sleep, digestion, hormones, posture, and mental clarity.

Most of what we’re walking around calling “normal” — tight shoulders, jaw pain, headaches, poor sleep, burnout — is a body that hasn’t been given a chance to release.

Touch is a biological need, not a luxury.
Maintenance is smarter than crisis care.
Prevention is still healthcare.

I don’t wait until my body is screaming to listen.
I don’t believe care has to hurt to count.
And I refuse to treat regulation like an indulgence.

Luxury is excess.
Massage is maintenance.

Treat yourself like someone you love — because that is healthcare.

I do not pay for or carry health insurance the way most people do. Massage is my assurance that my body can heal itself if I take care of her.

Get ahold of your local massage therapist and get ahold of your selfcare.

Massage therapists also take note that what you use on our skin, can multiply the benefits! Especially products like Mystical Mindset Medicinals

26/01/2026

If you come to see me for low back pain, I am going to insist on massaging your legs. This is one reason why!

Pain rarely stems from where it is experienced. This is why you need a pro who knows where to work to give you actual relief!

Hamstrings, Sacrotuberous Ligament & SI Joint: A Hidden Biomechanical Link

This image highlights a powerful but often overlooked anatomical connection between the hamstrings, sacrotuberous ligament, and the sacroiliac (SI) joint complex. What looks like separate structures actually function as a continuous myofascial and ligamentous system that plays a major role in pelvic and spinal stability.

On the left, the superficial dissection shows how the hamstrings blend into the posterior thigh fascia and connect upward toward the pelvis. Rather than ending only at the ischial tuberosity, the hamstring fascia integrates with the sacrotuberous ligament, forming a strong tension-transmitting structure between the femur and sacrum.

The deeper dissection on the right reveals that the tendon of the long head of biceps femoris directly connects into the sacrotuberous ligament, which then blends with the SI joint ligaments. This means hamstring tension can directly influence sacral position and SI joint mechanics. Increased hamstring tone can increase tension across the SI joint, affecting load transfer between the trunk and lower limb.

Biomechanically, this connection is crucial during activities like walking, running, bending, and lifting. When the hamstrings contract, they don’t just extend the hip—they also contribute to force closure of the SI joint, enhancing pelvic stability. However, excessive stiffness or asymmetry in the hamstrings can overload the sacrotuberous ligament and contribute to SI joint pain or dysfunction.

Clinically, this explains why hamstring tightness is often associated with low back pain, pelvic pain, or SI joint symptoms. Treating the hamstrings alone without considering their sacral and fascial connections may provide only temporary relief.

The hamstrings are not just knee flexors or hip extensors—they are integral stabilizers of the pelvis and SI joint. Understanding this anatomical continuity helps clinicians and movement professionals address pain, posture, and performance more effectively by treating the entire lumbopelvic system, not isolated muscles.

24/01/2026

Let me be honest too.

I encourage people to go and see doctors because it is my responsibility as a licensed healthcare provider to do so. Imaging especially can be helpful for ruling out major problems that need medical intervention instead of massage.

But doctors can be absolutely awful.

I’ve been fighting my own health battles, as I always am. I recently requested an MRI for relentless back pain with leg weakness. My doctor told me no. When I advocated for myself and asked again, they stopped responding to my messages. Full. Stop.

And I might never go back to see this doctor again. My plan is to actually just go to the ER for imaging, you know, when I have five hours of time that I can sacrifice.

I’ve had to do this before which is why I’ll do it again 🤷‍♀️

I got into massage therapy because doctors ignored my symptom concerns for a year and a half despite having severe and debilitating symptoms. I started seeing a massage therapist out of absolute desperation. I was surprised at how much massage helped. And that was it. I was hooked!! The rest, as they say, is history.

So here I am. Licensed, insured, and legally obligated to mention doctor visits. Please know that I know how hard it is and how hopeless things can seem.

Massage is legitimate healthcare!! You don’t have to go through this alone. Me and my table are here for you, even if my back hates me sometimes 😂 That’s how much I love massage and what it can do for people like me and you.

Feel free to share your medical C-PTSD stories in the comments. We all have them. This is just one chapter in my novel of failed medical support 😭

22/01/2026

Forward head posture with a neck hump indicates a lack of thoracic extension. Massage can help but you also need movement!

Exercises can activate the muscles that aren’t getting used enough. These movements will help your brain remember these muscles while rediscovering comfort in novel forgotten positions. When coupled with massage therapy, exercise is even more effective!

Here’s the routine I am focusing on today. Remember, the problem rarely presents where it is actually coming from. Focusing on the neck and expecting your neck hump to heal isn’t going to work. The spine does not exist in isolation. Where is this issue really coming from? Get an expert opinion via a movement and palpitation assessment by yours truly 😁

*I am not qualified to prescribe exercise therapy. Please use your best judgement when beginning any new exercise routine. When in doubt, ask your physical therapist or MD about exercise guidelines that are appropriate for you.

, , , , , , ,

Most of us sit in flexion all day hunched over a computer screen or slouched in our car. This causes poor posture and often poor extension, which can lead t ...

19/01/2026

Well folks. It’s official. I’m just a hack. Massages are fake. My conditions don’t mpact my life at all. Surgery is the only answer. I know absolutely nothing 🤷‍♀️

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

This reaction right here is one reason I charge so much for my sessions and treatments. I give away free advice all the time. I used to volunteer hours of my time from the goodness of my heart to try and help people and give them hope. I simply won’t do that any more. I still try sometimes but then I’m like why even bother?

My favorite clients already value massage and understand the healing potential of qualified bodywork. Love you guys!

,

19/01/2026

I can see myofascial accumulations on imaging. The evidence is there! Doctors just need to actually acknowledge it. . .

There is no need to wait for physicians to catch up to us licensed bodyworkers. Chronic pain, dysfunction, and mobility issues can be treated right now on my table!

Massage therapy is the future of healthcare. ,

Want to know where fascia science is headed? A 2025 research review just mapped it out for us. 🗺️

Researchers looked at hundreds of fascia studies to figure out what's coming next. Here's what they found...

Future research will focus on two big areas:

1. How fascia affects the way we move, and its role in chronic pain - especially as we age.

2. New imaging technology is changing everything. Advanced ultrasound and MRI techniques now let doctors actually see fascia problems. We're not just guessing anymore - we can measure specific tissue changes.

Here's what that means:

Scientists are confirming that fascia isn't passive wrapping. It's biologically active tissue that can generate pain signals.

When fascia develops problems like getting thick and sticky (densification), forming scar-like tissue (fibrosis) or becoming inflamed - it activates pain sensors.

These tissue changes create ongoing pain, not just temporary discomfort.

This is why chronic pain can persist even when nothing shows up as "damaged" on traditional scans.
The fascia itself has measurable changes causing real symptoms.

This research validates that manual therapy and movement-based work aren't just making you "feel better."

They're addressing actual, measurable tissue dysfunction.

The science is finally catching up to what bodyworkers have been seeing in practice for decades - fascia restrictions are real, they cause pain and working with fascia can create measurable change.

SARGA BODYWORK® blends modern fascia science with ancient barefoot massage techniques. Comment SARGA to start learning instantly. 👣

17/01/2026

17/01/2026

This is just one more evidence based reason why massage therapy is a legitimate EDS treatment.

Positive proprioceptive input will improve muscle tone and function. This doesn’t happen by just addressing the muscles. Touch input actually interfaces with the the nervous system. Consistent massage therapy treatments will have beneficial cumulative affects over time. It’s not magic, it’s massage therapy!

, , , ,

“My doctor checked my muscles. He said they’re strong.
So why won’t they stop twisting?” 🧠

That question stays with you, because once your strength is “normal” and your scans look fine, the only thing left for people to blame is you — your stress, your anxiety, your inability to relax.

But dystonia is not a muscle problem.

It’s a control problem.

Every voluntary movement relies on balance. When the brain tells one muscle to contract, it also sends a signal to the opposing muscle telling it to switch off. That quiet inhibition is what allows movement to look smooth instead of forced.

In dystonia, that inhibitory signal doesn’t arrive properly.

The brain sends the “go” command, but the “stop” command gets lost. Muscles stay active longer than they should, neighbouring muscles join in, and movements begin to twist, pull, or lock without permission. What looks deliberate from the outside feels hijacked from the inside.

This is why being told to “relax” doesn’t help, and why symptoms often worsen under stress. A nervous system that already struggles to filter motor signals becomes even less precise when it’s under threat.

It also explains something many people with dystonia notice but are rarely believed about: sometimes, lightly touching the face, neck, or a specific spot on the body can briefly reduce the pulling. This isn’t psychological. It’s a recognised phenomenon called a geste antagoniste. Extra sensory input gives the brain clearer information about where the body is in space, which can momentarily stabilise the faulty motor signal.

Nothing about that is voluntary.

Modern research now recognises dystonia as a disorder of brain networks involved in movement control, not a problem of weak muscles or poor effort. The hardware is intact. The software is misfiring.

And you cannot fix a control system failure by telling the system to try harder.

👇 Does touch ever temporarily reduce your symptoms, even for a few seconds?

References

• Termsarasab, P., Thenganatt, M. A., & Jankovic, J. (2025). Dystonia: Insights into mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment. The Lancet Neurology
• Quartarone, A., & Hallett, M. (2013). Emerging concepts in the physiological basis of dystonia. Nature Reviews Neurology
• Neychev, V. K., et al. (2011). The functional neuroanatomy of dystonia. Neurobiology of Disease
• Dystonia Coalition (NIH-funded). Dystonia as a network disorder

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. I share educational information and lived experience. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.