I have just begun a journey that defies any logical choice on my part. But then, I’ve always operated on a more intuitive level than most people, and at times, this has meant taking on a bit more than any sane person would.
Let me explain by way of introduction. My name is Jennifer Brannen, and I am 41. At this point in my life, I have been married for almost 17 years and have 3 children (ages 6, 12, and 14). Anyone who has children knows that it’s not a quiet life and gets quite busy with all their activities. That alone could be a full time job, but it’s only part of what I balance. I have been through a few careers and am currently working as a Structural Integration therapist. If you aren’t familiar with Structural Integration, it’s a method of bodywork therapy that addresses the tensions of the Connective tissue throughout the body. Though it sounds like massage, it’s far from it. In fact, I work part time at a physical therapist’s office to help victims of trauma regain movement in their bodies. I also have my own part time practice. That might be enough for a full life, but I recently added more.
Last week I enrolled as a student pursuing the degree of Doctor of Naprapathic Medicine. It’s a three year commitment with two years of night classes and one of clinical practice.
Why on earth would I choose to add more to my precarious balance?
Because I see it as essential to deepening my practice and improving the sorry state of health in the world. Since I’m committed to maintaining this blog over the course of my studies, I have a long time to talk to you about my successes with connective tissue work and the chaotic world of healthcare. It’s enough right now to say that this work is effective, and more people need it. As a doctor specializing in connective tissue, I will be able to collect insurance. I will deepen my understanding of what I already do and be able to offer my clients more specific solutions. With a doctorate rather than a certificate, I will be able to convey the importance of this work to doctors of other medicines and to those who make policy decisions. As highly trained as I am and as proud as I am of my certificates, I should already have the respect of a doctor. However, with “only certificates” my colleagues and I have to work harder for our respect. It’s a trend that needs to change.
And so, already having a knowledge base and understanding the power of this work, I know how essential the revival of Naprapathic Medicine is. My intention is to commit to this blog and share interesting bits related to my experiences as a student, my work in connective tissue, and my expectations for the future of Naprapathy.
