The Incredible Healing Benefits of Unlocking Your SPINE

 

I've been wanting to take Ilana's Method for a while now, because her commercials and testimonials on YouTube are incredible (you can see some of them further down the page). I definitely plan to take this as soon as I can afford it.... might just have to wait a few months. 

For anyone interested in learning more, you can learn about Ilana's method here:

https://www.ilanasmethod.com/training

Ilana's Method - Video

How in my 40's, I became a contortionist - Ilana's Method

This is one of the best testimonials I've ever seen. And it really resonates with me because I've been struggling with back pain.  I took 3 rounds of Accutane from age 19 to 25, and I really think that led to degenerative bone issues, which were detected in a dental scan of my jaw when I was about 23. The dentist said he'd never seen such a bad case for someone my age. I left that dentist's office in tears. But this video gives me a lot of hope!

Bulging/Herniated Discs - Can Heal!

Laura’s incredible SCOLIOSIS Breakthrough!

the 3 things I do

 

What happens to the face with...

 

My back is really stiff. I mean, really really stiff.  Largely because I am not walking my dogs right now, because they are with my boyfriend who is currently at his new work location about 3 hours south of me. They have lots of space to run around, and they're great watch dogs, so this is working well for us right now. I had Kali, our older female shepherd, who had aggressive cancer, but sadly she lost her battle (it's a very long story as to why that happened, which I am still trying to process). 

Anyway, the stress and sadness and lack of exercise without my sweet girl Kali to go on walks with, has really taken it's toll, and my back has been killing me. It's so stiff.... I'm like the tin man who's rusted into position. 

I did some stretches this morning for about 20 minutes, just trying to loosen up my stiff spine. I did 50 situps, and leg lifts, and then squatted and bent my legs and spine slowly, in different slow turns and bounces, and although it was a bit painful, and there was a lot of stiffness, I could feel a definite sense of RELEASE, and I could feel those endorphins being released in my system.  (UPDATE: It's 3 hours later and I still have endorphins flowing through my system... just like the women in the commercials raved about. Unreal!)

I have no idea what I'm doing when I'm doing stretches, so, again, I definitely want to take Ilana's course as soon as I can afford it.  

Here are some more videos. 

Welcome to Ilana's method - Spinal Awakening

She Unlocked her SPINE & Got flooded with BLISS!

Who Ilana’s Method is for

This is me at 43 - Ilanas Message

The real reason why Ilana's Method became Women’s Exclusive

Biggest Back Pain MYTH & Final FIX!

The power of spinal awakening and the consequences of neglect

Her chiropractor cannot believe the results - Ilana's Method Review

Retired Massage Therapist shares her experience - Ilana's method review

Ileana experience - Ilana's Method review

Next level intimacy - Ilana's Method review

Alice's experience - Ilana's Method review

How Carlene became hotter than her 20’s at 60+ 🔥

You said:

does spinal fluid contain endorphins

ChatGPT said:

Yes — cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) does contain endorphins.

Here’s how it works:

• Endorphins, such as β-endorphin (beta-endorphin), are natural opioid peptides produced mainly in the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.

• These molecules are released into both the bloodstream and the cerebrospinal fluid, allowing them to act directly within the central nervous system (CNS).

• In the CSF, endorphins help modulate pain, reduce stress, and produce a sense of well-being or euphoria.

• Research has shown that β-endorphin concentrations can be measured in human CSF, especially after activities that trigger its release (like exercise, acupuncture, or stress).

So yes — spinal fluid not only contains endorphins but serves as one of the pathways through which they influence pain perception and mood regulation inside the brain and spinal cord.

Would you like me to explain how those endorphins get from the brain into the spinal fluid and affect pain signaling in the spinal cord?

You said:

sure thanks

ChatGPT said:

Great — here’s how endorphins get into the spinal fluid and how they work once they’re there:

---

🧠 1. Where Endorphins Are Made

Most β-endorphins come from a large protein called proopiomelanocortin (POMC), which is produced mainly in:

• The hypothalamus, and

• The pituitary gland (especially the anterior lobe).

These cells release β-endorphin into both the bloodstream and the brain’s ventricular system, which is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

---

💧 2. How They Reach the Spinal Fluid

Once released from the hypothalamus or pituitary, the endorphins diffuse into the CSF, which flows through the ventricles of the brain, down the central canal, and around the spinal cord.
This lets them circulate throughout the central nervous system, bathing pain-processing areas in the spinal cord.

---

⚙️ 3. How They Act in the Spinal Cord

When endorphins reach the spinal cord (especially in the dorsal horn, where pain signals first arrive):

• They bind to μ-opioid receptors (the same ones that morphine and other opioids act on).

• This blocks the release of substance P and glutamate, chemicals that carry pain messages from the nerves to the brain.

• The result: the pain signal is weakened or stopped before it even travels upward.

---

🌈 4. Why This Feels Good

At the same time, endorphins in the brain act on other opioid-sensitive regions — the amygdala, nucleus accumbens, and periaqueductal gray — which not only suppress pain but also produce a sense of calm, relief, or even euphoria.

---

⚡️ 5. Triggers for Endorphin Release

Your body releases endorphins into the CSF and bloodstream in response to:

• Exercise (“runner’s high”)

• Stress or trauma

• Pain

• Acupuncture

• Laughter, music, or meditation

---

Would you like me to show a simple diagram of how endorphins flow from the brain into the spinal fluid and block pain signals?

You said:

sure thanks

ChatGPT said:

You said:

My back has been extremely stiff so I just did a bunch of stretching, to try to loosen up my spine. All of a sudden I feel like I have lots of endorphins in my brain. I actually feel high. All I did was work on stretching my spine. What is the connection?

ChatGPT said:

That’s actually a very real and fascinating phenomenon — what you’re feeling is your body’s natural neurochemical response to deep stretching and spinal movement. Here’s what’s likely happening step-by-step:

---

🧘‍♀️ 1. Spinal Stretching Stimulates Nerve Pathways

Your spine houses the spinal cord, which connects directly to your brain through the central nervous system (CNS).
When you stretch deeply — especially the back, hips, and neck — you activate:

• Sensory nerves (proprioceptors) that sense muscle tension and length,

• Autonomic nerves that control relaxation and blood flow.

This sends a surge of input up the spinal cord to the brainstem, signaling that tension is being released — which often triggers a shift toward parasympathetic dominance (your “rest and restore” mode).

---

💧 2. Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Movement

Gentle spinal flexion, extension, and twisting physically move the cerebrospinal fluid — the fluid that bathes your brain and spinal cord.

• This rhythmic movement can enhance CSF circulation, helping distribute nutrients and neurochemicals (including endorphins) more evenly through the brain.

• Some yoga practitioners and osteopaths even describe this as a kind of “neural massage” — the fluid flow itself has a calming, refreshing effect on the CNS.

---

🌈 3. Endorphin Release

Deep stretching and slow movement trigger endorphin and endocannabinoid release — the same “feel-good” chemicals responsible for a runner’s high.

• These natural opioids bind to receptors in the brain and spinal cord, reducing pain perception and inducing mild euphoria.

• Studies show endorphin levels in the CSF rise after prolonged stretching, yoga, or deep relaxation exercises.

---

💓 4. Oxygen, Circulation, and Vagal Stimulation

As your muscles relax and your breathing deepens:

• Oxygen delivery to the brain increases,

• The vagus nerve is stimulated (especially with spinal elongation and exhalation),

• Heart rate slows, and blood pressure drops.
  All of this reinforces that floating, “high” feeling — your nervous system is literally shifting from tension to restoration.

---

🧩 5. Integration of Physical and Emotional Release

The spine is rich in nerve endings and connected to many muscle groups that store physical tension from stress.
When those muscles finally release, your brain interprets it as relief — and floods you with feel-good chemistry.
It’s a little like pressing a reset button for your nervous system.

---

If you want to keep this feeling going safely:

• Stay hydrated (CSF and lymph both depend on water),

• Do gentle stretching daily instead of long intense sessions,

• Add slow breathing or meditation to amplify the parasympathetic effects.

---

Would you like me to show you a few specific spinal stretches known to boost endorphin flow and CSF movement (from yoga and physiotherapy research)?

You said:

sure thanks

ChatGPT said:

Perfect 🌿 — here are a few spinal stretches and gentle movements known to enhance endorphin release, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow, and nervous system relaxation. You don’t need to push deeply; slow, mindful movement is what triggers the chemistry.

---

🌀 1. Cat–Cow Stretch (Marjaryasana–Bitilasana)

Purpose: Mobilizes the entire spine, increases CSF circulation, and releases endorphins.

How to do it:

1. Get on your hands and knees, wrists under shoulders, knees under hips.

2. Inhale — drop your belly, lift your chest and tailbone (Cow).

3. Exhale — round your spine upward, tuck your chin and tailbone (Cat).

4. Flow slowly for 1–2 minutes, matching breath to movement.

Why it helps: The flexion–extension pumps CSF through the spinal canal, stimulates the vagus nerve, and signals the brain to release calming endorphins.

---

🌊 2. Seated Spinal Twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana)

Purpose: Improves spinal flexibility and stimulates nerve roots along the spinal cord.

How to do it:

1. Sit tall with your legs extended.

2. Bend your right knee and place your right foot outside your left thigh.

3. Inhale — lengthen your spine.

4. Exhale — twist gently toward your right side, using your left elbow against your knee for leverage.

5. Hold 5–10 breaths, then switch sides.

Why it helps: Twisting massages spinal muscles and improves venous and CSF circulation, often giving a “brain-tingling” sensation of release.

---

🌬 3. Supported Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana with Pillow)

Purpose: Gently decompresses the lumbar spine and enhances endorphin flow.

How to do it:

1. Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat.

2. Lift your hips and place a pillow, block, or rolled towel beneath your sacrum.

3. Rest your weight there for 1–3 minutes.

Why it helps: Elevating the hips changes spinal fluid pressure gradients and activates baroreceptors (pressure sensors) that calm the nervous system.

---

🌄 4. Forward Fold (Uttanasana or Seated Paschimottanasana)

Purpose: Relieves tension along the spinal column and increases blood flow to the brain.

How to do it:

1. Sit or stand tall and inhale to lengthen your spine.

2. Exhale slowly and fold forward, letting your head and neck relax completely.

3. Hold 5–10 slow breaths.

Why it helps: Forward folding increases intracranial blood and CSF flow transiently, helping flush out waste metabolites and boosting the endorphin “glow.”

---

💫 5. Supine Spinal Rocking

Purpose: Self-soothing motion that rhythmically moves CSF and releases stored tension.

How to do it:

1. Lie on your back, hug your knees toward your chest.

2. Gently rock side to side or forward and back for 30–60 seconds.

Why it helps: This movement rhythmically mobilizes the spine and sends calming sensory input to the brainstem, leading to endorphin and serotonin release.

---

🌟 To Amplify the “High” Naturally:

• Breathe slowly (4 seconds in, 6 seconds out).

• Smile lightly — facial feedback increases dopamine.

• Stay still afterward for 1–2 minutes; that’s when endorphins peak in your CSF.

---

Would you like me to create a visual guide or infographic showing these 5 spinal endorphin-boosting stretches step by step?

You said:

Sure thanks

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.