Why have a family session?

The importance of family to our wellbeing

Having a degree in Psychology and Osteopathy, I am naturally interested in how our social environment can impact our health. Having worked with many young families, I have found that working with parents as well as their offspring achieves better outcomes for all. The evidence-based research and behavioural models are clear in this field and support the idea that families play a pivotal role in our sense of wellbeing.

Human beings did not evolve as solitary animals but as a social animals whose survival was contingent on powerful emotional connection with the family (1). Like, other social animals human physiologic homeostasis and ultimate health status are influenced not only by physical environment but also by social environment (2). If we look at our individual health within the context of our family unit, without taking away our own personal responsibilities, then we can work to find a more sustained transformation for ourselves and for our family.  Let us look more closely at some of the research around this area.

Family and wellbeing

Family members regulate each other’s behaviours and provide information and encouragement to behave in healthier ways (3), but stress in relationships may also lead to health-compromising behaviours (4). The stress of relationship can result in physiological processes that impair the immune function, affect the cardiovascular system, and increase risk for depression (5), whereas positive relationships are associated with lower wear and tear on the body accumulating from stress (6). From this sample of research, we can already see that the quality of our family relationships can have considerable consequences for our emotional and physiological health.

Family and pain

New research by Dr Woods et al (2024) looked specifically at how family relationships help us to manage pain. Dr Woods et al hypothesized that “family relationships marked by more stress and strain show up as depressed mood, anxiety, and increased inflammation. That, in turn, perpetuates the development and persistence of chronic pain. Conversely, they hypothesised that more caring and supportive family relationships can be health-protective by promoting emotional and physiological regulation, especially in the face of stress.”

The psychiatrist Dr Bowen (1978) wrote how pathology in an individual member of the family reflects an imbalance in the family emotional system. Kerr & Bowen, 1988 suggested that pathology can fall into three categories: physical, emotional, and social dysfunction. A person who has poor boundaries will be more prone to these types of dysfunctions.

From this evidence and models, we can start to understand the interplay that occurs and how our relationships can have both a positive and negative impact on our physical wellbeing.

How can I help?

I use this evidence and models to inform my osteopathic practice. I ask families to outline their focus/goal. This is usually a physical pain and/or an emotional pattern... held by a specific member of the family. The work will be focused on helping that individual release within the context and with the help of other members of their family. For this to be achieved, most people present in the room will receive treatment. Therefore, this work also results in the whole family unit shifting ensuing harmony and a sense of wellbeing for all. This work allows for a more sustained shift for the symptomatic individual as their most important social, emotional and physical regulators outside themselves have shifted with them.

This work requires flexibility from all involved, including myself, as each session unfolds differently in many ways but from a patient’s point of view it will be most obvious in terms of number individuals who receive treatment. In some cases, individual members may require a session for themselves before the family can come together again. These needs will be recognised and accommodated to ensure that treatments are sequenced and targeted correctly for all.

A family first session is 60-90 mins long ( £79) and the family follow up sessions are usually 60 mins long ( £69). If you want to discuss your specific needs or book please get in touch with me directly via email info@thecranialosteopath.co.uk or call 01780 250 147.

References:

1.Gabor Mate (2019) When the body says no: The cost of hidden stress, London, Vermillion.

2.Buck (1993) ‘Emotional Communication, Emotional Competence, and the physical illness view’, p 42. In H.C. Traue and J.W.  Pennebaker (Eds), Emotion, Inhibition, and Health, Hogrefe & Hubner, Seattle.

3.Cohen, S. (2004). Social relationships and health. American Psychologist, 59,pp 676–684.

4.Ng, D. M., & Jeffery, R. W. (2003). Relationships between perceived stress and health behaviors in a sample of working adults. Health Psychology, 22, pp638–642.

5.Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., & Newton, T. L. (2001). Marriage and health: His and hers. Psychological Bulletin, 127, pp 472–503.

6.Seeman, T. E., Singer, B. H., Ryff, C. D., Love, G. D., & Levy-Storms, L, (2002). Social relationships, gender, and allostatic load across two age cohorts. Psychosomatic Medicine, 64, pp 395–406.

Woods, S. B.,  Roberson, P. N. E., Booker, Q., Wood, B.L.,  Booker, S. Q. ( 2024). Longitudinal Associations of Family Relationship Quality with Chronic Pain Incidence and Persistence Among Aging African Americans, The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, Volume 79, Issue 7.

Bowen, M. (1978) Family Therapy in Clinical Practice, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, New York.

Kerr, M.E.& Bowen, M. (1988). Family Evaluation: An approach Based on Bowen Theory. W.W.Norton  Company, New York.