Spinal Flow Technique® was created by Dr Carli Axford (an Australian former chiropractor) and draws on her 20+ years of research, observation and clinical success (including during her time working at the Texas Back Institute in the US). It is a healing modality is rooted in chiropractic, Network Spinal Care and Craniosacral therapy.

• Network Spinal Chiropractic (formerly Network Spinal Analysis) is a gentle, low-force chiropractic technique developed by Dr Donny Epstein (US Chiropractor) in the 1980’s.  Network Spinal uses light touches on the spine to help the body release tension, connect with its own healing abilities, and develop new strategies for dealing with stress. Instead of a traditional "adjustment" with popping or cracking, Network Spinal uses gentle "contacts" or "entrainments" to cue the nervous system.

• Craniosacral therapy uses gentle, low-force technique that aims to relieve pain and dysfunction by assessing the subtle rhythmic movements within the craniosacral system, then gently manipulating the bones in the skull and sacrum to have a positive effect on the cerebrospinal fluid (which protects the brain and spinal cord) to improve overall health and well-being.

With Spinal Flow Technique®, Dr Axford formulated her understanding of the spine, nervous system and life force energy into an elegantly simple modality that harnesses the body’s innate intelligence to heal and fully express itself. While a Spinal Flow Practitioner is not a chiropractor or registered health professional (“Heilpraktiker/in”), they are trained and certified by Dr Axford in her modality that is backed by science. Spinal Flow Technique works very gently and safely with the nervous system to support the body heal itself. It is offered as a relaxation technique to relieve and manage stress, thereby promoting general health and wellbeing.

Unlike massage, a Spinal Flow session uses no oil and is performed with the client fully clothed, lying face-down on a massage table. The practitioner is not rubbing any areas of tension, stiffness or pain. We are not working directly on the tissues. It is the nervous system that communicates to the muscles – so the Spinal Flow practitioner supports the body to let go of muscular tension by relieving the stress through working directly with the nervous system. By applying a specific trained, light touch to access points on the body (at the head and at the base of the spine), the parasympathetic nervous system is activated and layers of physical, chemical and emotional stress that the body has been holding onto (which has built up over weeks, months, years or much longer!) start to release. As spinal blockages are released, the body’s innate healing intelligence flows more freely and easily. After a session, clients report feeling calmer, rested and experiencing relief from muscular and nervous tension.

Unlike Reiki or other energy healing modalities, Spinal Flow does not simply work in the layers of the subtle body. It is a hands-on technique – the practitioner actually needs to touch your body to make contact with your nervous system via the access points. (It is not possible to receive a Spinal Flow session via Zoom.) Spinal Flow Technique releases physical, chemical and emotional stress that has been stored in the body by working with the nervous system, which then has a flow-on effect to clear the stored stress from the mental and emotional layers in the electromagnetic field. Spinal Flow has a deeply relaxing effect on mind and the physical body. A Reiki treatment involves the practitioner channelling “Rei Ki” – universal life force energy – through their upper chakras, down their arms and into the client for healing. Spinal Flow, however, is working on the nervous system with the client’s own energy to build more capacity in their depleted system (which is why they have low energy).

Committing to regular Spinal Flow sessions supports the body’s natural healing ability, which provides a wide variety of benefits by alleviating physical, mental and emotional stress and bringing in more ease and flow to improve overall wellbeing.

‍“Clients typically feel an amazing sense of calm and connection after a healing session because we have helped them release stress in a deep lasting way,” says Dr. Carli Axford. You can find anecdotal experiences from others who have benefited from Spinal Flow on the @SpinalFlowTechnique YouTube channel and research more about the benefits online.

The treatment room is softly lit and lightly scented with aromatherapy or from incense that was burned earlier. Music is playing in the background. (The type varies, but it is specifically chosen to calm the mind, soothe the nervous system or elicit a positive emotional response.) The client wears comfortable, non-restrictive clothing and lies on their stomach on a massage table. At the beginning of the session, the Spinal Flow practitioner will perform a brief assessment and may ask the client a specific question or two about what they notice as they ‘check in’ with the body. The practitioner then begins the session by holding light touch to on sacral access points. There is nothing the client needs to think about or do during the session – apart from not falling asleep! It can be helpful for the client to bring awareness to their body and focus on their breath. Focusing on the inhalation and exhalation connects the mind and body and offers an initial soft focus for an overactive mind. Softly focusing on the music may also be helpful.

Throughout the session, as the practitioner works to support the nervous system to relieve stress, a number of things often arise. As cortisol and adrenaline subside and the nervous system moves into a parasympathetic state, it is common for the client’s breathing to become deeper and more relaxed. They may quietly yawn or sigh. Their stomach may gurgle as nervous tension is alleviated in the digestive system. The mind quietens and enters a meditative state. (The client is conscious/awake but not actively thinking on anything – so the mind tends to move aside and just become a quiet observer of their experience.)

As the body lets go of stress, the client may have some awareness of changes in body sensations – perhaps they feel some slight tingling in one area or notice a change in temperature. Some clients also experience movement in the form of a slight muscular twitch or jerk, similar to what you may experience when you drift off at night, or their fingers gently curling. Other clients may experience more pronounced, unconscious movements as their fascia and muscles unwind, and energy starts to flow more freely through their body. This is all completely normal and it means the nervous system is having a positive influence on the body systems, organise and tissues. Our mind speaks to us through the thoughts and memories, and the client may have these randomly come and go from their awareness. The heart speaks to us through emotions, and it’s not uncommon for clients to feel some emotions (e.g. a wave of sadness, the twinge of grief) and even tears can arise where there a release of emotional stress. All of these things are totally normal, can be expected and welcomed.

However, there is no need to force anything to happen or make sense of the experience – the client need only be curious, surrender and allow the session to unfold. Most clients simply experience a deeply relaxed, meditative state where they have “switched off” from their every day. As the practitioner brings the session to a close, the client will be gently welcomed back to full awareness and allowed a few moments to come back to themselves. After a 30-minute Spinal Flow session, the client feels lighter, calmer, more at ease and often feeling noticeably less tension in their body. The client is offered water or a grounding cup of warm herbal tea to enjoy for a few minutes, before rejoining the world outside.

Every experience may be different and all of them are beautiful. Sometimes, the client might be quite aware of what’s unfolding for them. Other times, they may feel not quite sure where they went during the session. Or the client might find they need to be extra gentle with themselves as they continue to sit with and honour some emotions that came up during the session. (This can be done alone/privately through journalling or another creative outlet, spending time in nature or by speaking with someone they love.)

What hasn’t been said yet, is that a Spinal Flow session takes place in silence – without conversation between the client and the practitioner. The client’s role is to relax, be present with themselves and their internal felt experience. The practitioner’s role is to support the nervous system by working on spinal access points and to increase the spinal wave, so the body can express itself and release stored stress.

• Wear loose, non-restrictive clothing that you can lie in comfortably. Lounge pants or similar without heavily stitches seams are ideal. (Denim jeans and yoga pants are not ideal.) It may be helpful to wear a long-sleeve shirt if you know you tend to get cold when lying down.

• No caffeine, recreational drugs, smoking, vaping or alcohol before your session. Your aim is to relieve stress and all of these things are counter-productive to supporting your nervous system to relax and unwind.

• You will be lying on your stomach, so it is recommended not to consume a heavily meal before your session. Aim to have eaten at least an hour before. Be sure to arrive in plenty of time to visit the bathroom before your session.

• Turn your phone off or on airplane mode before your session so as not to interrupt your session or disturb the other clients.

• Ensure you are adequately hydrated and that you have consumed enough water throughout the day.

• Take a few moments after your session to ensure you are grounded and fully present in your body before exiting the premises. Sit for a few minutes and enjoy a warm herbal tea or some water to hydrate, while reorientating yourself with your surroundings.

• Try to stay in your new, relaxed state for as long as possible. Be kind to yourself for the rest of the day – you may wish to set aside some time to be alone, so you can reflect on or process what may have come up for you in the session (e.g. journalling, drawing, go for a run, dance etc)

• It is recommended to take a leisurely walk in nature, ideally in the first couple of hours [if not immediately] after a session. Not only is it a simple grounding practice, but the gentle movement is good for your nervous system, general circulation and mental health. Move your body and breathe deeply to oxygenate your tissues and cells after your Spinal Flow session.

• As with massage or other body treatments, ensure you are properly hydrated by drinking enough water after your session. (It is not uncommon to have a slight headache after bodywork if you are dehydrated.)

• Aim to get to bed at a reasonable time that evening, as you may feel more tired that usual after your Spinal Flow session. Some clients like to even prioritise sleep that day, as they know their body is wanting to rest and recharge.

• If you have some memories, ideas, realisations, feelings or sensations come up for you in your Spinal Flow session, that’s perfectly normal. Rather than try an analyse anything, the invitation is to hold a gentle curiosity for the wisdom of you body and be open to how it is communicating with you. Most clients find, during the few days after their session, a greater sense of clarity and awareness of what is being revealed to them and how their journey is unfolding. This is unique to each individual and a wonderful part of your self-discovery and personal growth as you prioritise your health, happiness and wellbeing.

No, Spinal Flow sessions are not covered by the health insurance (Krankenkasse). It is a fully self-funded (private) service that is offered for relaxation, stress management and to promote general wellbeing.

Spinal Flow is not a substitute for medical treatment and does not diagnose, treat or make any promises of healing. Any medical conditions or questions need to be addressed to your general medicine doctor or a specialist.

The first appointment involves an individual consultation, review of your history and discussion of your goals, a Spinal Flow Gateway and posture assessment, before your first Spinal Flow session. An initial session takes 1 hour 15-30 minutes and costs 150€. After the session, the practitioner will recommend a personalised session plan based on how your body responds and your goals.

Spinal Flow sessions are offered in 30 minutes (FLOW30 66€) or 45 minutes (FLOW45 99€) time blocks. Prices for packages of 6 or 12 sessions are offered at a reduced per session rates. Children require much shorter sessions and creating a personalised plan for your family can be arranged.

In order to shift the client’s current state into greater wellbeing, it is often recommended to commit to a package of 6 or 12 sessions in a series and schedule these initial sessions closer together. The higher frequency of sessions in the initial few weeks helps to support the body to work through possible initial resistance and discomfort, to release layers of stress and move toward greater overall health. You did not become stressed overnight and may take some time to create a sense of safety in the nervous system, for the body to let go of accumulated stress. How long it this takes is different for every client. (This is why recommendations are made after a thorough consultation, assessment and seeing how the client responds to their first Spinal Flow session.) While some may find it easier to let go of stress and quieten their busy mind, others may find it take a couple of sessions to expand their nervous system capacity and experience a deeper sense of relaxation and peace.

After 12 sessions, a follow-up gateway and posture assessment is carried out to track the client’s progress, re-evaluate and agree a revised plan going forward. At this point, sessions are often spaced further apart as the client builds more capacity and resilience, while being able to maintain the positive effects from the Spinal Flow sessions for longer between each session. The client is then able to schedule appointments for maintenance of their renewed sense of wellbeing.

At the moment, all bookings at handled manually via our Contact Form, email or Whatsapp enquiries. Payment by bank transfer is preferred. If you wish to pay with a credit card, this is possible to arrange but a 2.5% merchant fee will be applied to your tax invoice.

In the future, we will have the Acuity Scheduling feature built into the website, which will offer greater convenience. You can book your series, schedule the 6 or 12 appointments from your package, and pay by credit card.

Yes. At the moment, bookings are available for up to two people at a time. This means you can receive your Spinal Flow session at the same time as your partner, friend or child – or perhaps another client who has booked the same treatment package as you. Our nervous system coregulates with other nervous systems, so this is a wonderful benefit of group bookings!

It is possible to book a Spinal Flow Urban Retreat package for you and up to 3 friends to receive 2-3 Spinal Flow sessions during the day at the clinic.

Throughout the year, Deep Rest Spinal Flow offers educational workshops and wellbeing retreats which includes yoga, meditation, Spinal Flow and Ayurveda in a group setting. These are a great opportunity to take some time out for yourself to focus on your health and wellbeing in a relaxed environment.

If you are interested in group bookings and retreats, please use the contact form to register your interest.

The human nervous system is designed to co-regulate with others. When we share space with calm, regulated nervous systems, our own system is supported in returning to balance. (This is why community and connection is so important.) In group Spinal Flow sessions, co-regulating with others in a parasympathetic state can enhance your experience and often allows for deeper integration than in a session experienced alone.‍ ‍

Having said that, there are some clients who are absolutely recommended to have 1:1 sessions in the beginning. If the client is currently experiencing significant stress (e.g. divorce, loss of a loved one, health crisis) or has experienced trauma, this client’s nervous system definitely needs the security of an individual session where the Spinal Flow practitioner can support them and hold space for their healing. There may be more tears at this time, or other things may come up during their session that could be disruptive to other clients if they were in a group session. At Deep Rest Spinal Flow, clients are met where they are at and there are times when everyday life can be a lot. Once the client has experienced a number of series of sessions and has built capacity in their nervous system, the practitioner will recommend them to join the group sessions when they believe they are ready.‍ ‍

While you don’t have the practitioner touching access points on your body the whole time during a group session, there is a certain special quality to having Spinal Flow with others. All the clients are there for themselves and are having their own internal experience during their session. But, at the same time, there is a coherence that happens between the participants on the tables – it’s like a graceful wave, a sense of harmony, peace and flow that moves between them. Clients report finding it easier to ‘drop in’ at the start of the session and, when one client’s nervous system starts to open up and more fully express itself, it is like there is permission received by the others’ nervous systems to do the same. It’s so beautiful to witness and hold space in this way – not only for individuals, but for the connected shared between that group for that session. (This space sharing and connection is even deeper and more dynamic on our Spinal Flow retreats!) ‍ ‍

The other benefit of group sessions is that is allows us to support more clients. There are only so many hours in a day and appointments are made based on availability. Being able to facilitate group sessions means we are servicing more clients, ensuring more people can reap the benefits of Spinal Flow. So no, individual sessions are not “better” than group sessions - there is a time and a place for both of them. We would encourage you to be curious and open to group sessions when coordinating your session plan with your practitioner.

Social connection fosters a sense of belonging and reduces stress. For more on group sessions, please see the Terms and Conditions.

We would be happy to hear from you and answer any questions you may have. Please reach out using out Contact Form and we will get back to you.

We are native English speakers but have Intermediate (B2) German language skills. (It’s only getting better!) Appointments are often carried out in English, or a mixture of German and English. Thankfully, as outlined above, apart from the initial consultation and assessment, there is little-to-no talking carried out in a Spinal Flow session, so you needed be concerned.

It may be easier to initially converse and have your questions answered via email. All forms are available in both German and English. Our Spinal Flow retreats are primarily held in English, but the yoga instructor we partner with is a German native (who also speaks English and French) and, for larger groups, we work with other Spinal Flow practitioners who are also German (and speak English).

Please don’t let something like a language barrier be a block or hinderance to you experiencing Spinal Flow for yourself. Your nervous system doesn’t need language – it needs safety, support, trust, community, connection and a trained set of hands that knows how you to support you – mind, body and spirit. We are here to support you and all our wonderful clients, regardless of where they were born and what their native language is. We are blessed to have and serve a multicultural community here in Frankfurt and we are all for inclusion.