For over a decade, one man lived with complete numbness in the left side of his body, caused by a plate in his cervical spine following his medical discharge from the defence. Having lost all feeling in his left leg, he resigned himself to this as his “new normal.” But everything changed after his first session with Spinal Flow Practitioner and Trainer Bess Taylor, founder of Spinal Flow Tamborine Mountain. His journey to recovery was not only inspiring but life-changing, leading him to embrace healing in a way that transformed his life—and the lives of others.

Reclaiming Strength and Balance

During his very first Spinal Flow session with Bess, something remarkable happened. The client experienced a burning pain running down his right leg. While most might view pain as unwelcome, he celebrated this sensation. Why? Because it marked the first time in over ten years he had felt anything in that part of his body.

“It was painful, but he was so excited by that because he said, ‘It’s been over ten years since I’ve even felt anything,’” Bess shared. That burning sensation, though uncomfortable, signalled that his nervous system was reawakening, that the dormant nerve pathways were being restored.

The Healing Journey: From Numbness to Transformation

Numbness, particularly when it persists for years, indicates blockages or disconnection in the nervous system. For this client, the plate in his cervical spine affected not just his neck but his entire spinal flow and nerve supply. Dr. Carli Axford, founder of the Spinal Flow Technique, explains:

“If something is happening at the top of the spine, like a surgery or plate in the cervical spine, it can affect the whole body. The spinal cord is like a hose—any blockages at the top can lead to pain, numbness, or lack of sensation in other areas.”

Through the Spinal Flow Technique, practitioners focus on assessing the whole body—not just the area where symptoms are present. By working to release blockages and increase flow through the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system, the body moves toward healing.

Pain as Progress: Why Sensation Matters in Healing

The man’s burning pain wasn’t a setback; it was a sign of change. Bess explains, “People often ask if they’re just going to feel better and better with each session. But the truth is, healing isn’t always linear. You might feel better, or you might feel worse. The key is that you feel something different, because that shows the body is changing.”

She continues, “To go from no feeling to intense pain? I celebrate that! It means activity is happening, nerve supply is being restored, and the body is waking up.”

The client’s willingness to embrace this shift as a positive step forward made all the difference in his healing journey. Over time, the sensations progressed and improved. The results were so profound that he decided to take the next step—becoming a certified Spinal Flow Practitioner himself.

From Client to Practitioner: Sharing the Gift of Healing

This client’s story doesn’t end with his own healing. His experience inspired him to help others by becoming a Spinal Flow Practitioner. “I love when someone comes in as a practitioner after experiencing this for themselves,” Bess shared. “They’ve felt it, embodied it, and now they want to give that to others.”

Dr. Carli Axford echoes this sentiment: “We have so many people now creating healing in their own bodies, and they’re going out to help others with similar conditions. Whether it’s chronic fatigue, numbness, or other challenges, they focus on communities they deeply understand because they’ve lived it themselves.”

Why the Spinal Flow Technique Works

The Spinal Flow Technique is built on the principle that the body can heal itself when blockages in the nervous system are released. By assessing and treating the whole nervous system—not just isolated symptoms—Spinal Flow Practitioners help clients move from numbness and disconnection to flow, sensation, and healing.

As Dr Carli Axford emphasises, “We teach practitioners to look at the whole brain, spinal cord, and every nerve in between. It’s not just about where the pain is—it’s about creating flow and restoring balance across the entire body.”