Allison Suran, PT, GCFP, TPS
Therapeutic Pain Specialist
Healing Bridge Physical Therapy
I have always been passionate about learning so that I can be the best resource possible for my clients. I also pursue learning as a way to explore my own life experiences and believe that my personal search and growth and inner understanding informs and enhances what I have to offer others. Since my formal University education I have sought out opportunities to advance my knowledge and skills in many areas of life. I feel fortunate that the human body/mind provides endless opportunities to understand how to help the human condition find relief from suffering – physically, emotionally and spiritually.
University of Puget Sound: 1983-1987, Bachelors of Science in Physical Therapy
Heartwood, School of the Natural Healing Arts: 1985; 8-Week Summer Session
Courses in Massage, Energy, Yoga, Nutrition, Hydrotherapy, Emotional Release, Mind-Body Medicine
The Feldenkrais Method®: Oregon Training: 1992-1996, 4-years, 800 hours of training
Training to become a Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner® requires a minimum of 800 contact hours typically 200 hours per year for 4 years. Feldenkrais trainings are extensive, in part, so the practitioner is immersed in her own movement explorations and discoveries…(read more here/expand) through Awareness Through Movement® lessons. This assists the hands-on learning component, called Functional Integration®, where the practitioner is moving from her own felt experience and connection to the whole self rather than just moving around body parts on another person.
The Feldenkrais Method® of somatic education uses a gentle hands-on technique to change long standing movement patterns and bring mindfulness to your movements to help decrease pain and help you enjoy your life. These mindful-movements are designed to bring new awareness into every aspect of your life. Developed by Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, the Feldenkrais Method has helped millions of people worldwide and is based on principles of physics, biomechanics, and an empirical understanding of learning and human development. (Principles of Feldenkrais, click here – go to Doidge article uploaded for CD section on website)
By improving your awareness of movement, you will become more aware of your habits and tensions and learn to move in ways to change long-standing patterns of pain while learning to live more comfortably in your body.
Embodied Life Teacher Training: 2007 – 2010, 3-years, 300 hours of training
Developed by Russell Delman who studied with Moshe Feldenkrais and was an international Feldenkrais Trainer before he developed his own training system. (read more) The program consists of two week-long on-site segments per year, for three years along with independent practice and study in-between on-site trainings. Each week includes approximately 50 hours of class/practice time or 300 hours for the program.
The Embodied Life™ refers to an integrated approach to human transformation. Methodologically this work is grounded in three main practice areas:
-Movement awareness based in the teachings of Moshe Feldenkrais
-Guided Inquiry based in Focusing as developed by Eugene Gendlin and Ann Weiser Cornell
-Sitting/walking meditation based in the Zen tradition
-These practice offer a way to return to the present moment and provides a path to help people find more physical and emotional freedom in their lives - physically and emotionally.
For more information go to www.RussellDelman.com
Spiritual Direction: Sacred Art of Living Center, Bend Oregon, 1999-2001
Spiritual direction or companionship is the practice of being with people as they attempt to deepen their relationship with the divine or to learn and grow in their own personal spirituality. (Read more here) Spiritual directors help people develop a deeper awareness with the spiritual aspect of being human. The Spiritual Director/Companion aims to inspire people to experience authenticity in their lives as they connect with and explore the ground of all being, that deepest of truths which is beyond life and death and goes by many names, including God, and no name at all.
The Sounder Sleep System, 2015
Training involves introductory 4-day on-site training, followed by 6-months of on-line study and testing.
The Sounder Sleep System exploits the two fundamental, opposing principles of the human nervous system, excitation and inhibition, to produce its sleep-inducing effects. (Read more here) Falling asleep can be difficult due to our constant state of excitation to do all the tasks that are expected us each day. This system provides a process in which the overall balance of excitation and inhibition in the brain is strongly shifted in favor of inhibition. As a result, cerebral processing slows down to a fraction of waking levels, cognitive activity is much reduced, metabolic activity slows, and the entire body becomes still. This is the natural process by which we fall asleep. The core principle of the Sounder Sleep System is that we can use small, slow, gentle bodily movements to initiate and amplify this inhibitory process, at will. The result is natural, restful sleep whenever we need it. The Sounder Sleep System is not only a valuable self-healing approach for insomnia relief, it is also an effective way to reduce anxiety, relieve painful muscle tension, minimize menopausal problems and help diminish other stress-related symptoms.
The Sounder Sleep System is based on a lifetime of study, experience, and observation by the system's founder, Michael Krugman. While original in its conception and implementation, it is inspired and informed by contemporary neuroscience and sleep research and utilizes time-tested principles common to all self-healing systems, both ancient and modern, including yoga, qigong, several meditation modalities, and the teachings of Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais. The system has been proven effective by thousands of clients in clinics, schools, and hospitals worldwide.
Therapeutic Pain Specialist - Certified: 2016
6 month on-line study/testing with 2 on-site weekend trainings.
Therapeutic Pain Specialist (TPS) is a true interdisciplinary pain certification program, open to various healthcare practitioners. (Read more here) Coursework consists of a dynamic combination of didactic, collaborative, and clinical education experiences using a blend of distance learning, online courses, and weekend intensive on-site courses.
Patients don’t have to live in pain. Studies show patients who have been educated about the neuroscience of pain are able to function better, exercise more and experience less pain. Adriaan Louw puts the science of pain in a format accessible to all. Pain is normal – living in pain is not. Chronic pain is commonly due to an extra-sensitive nervous system and how the brain processes information from the nerves. Understanding more about the neuroscience of pain has been shown to allow patients to hurt less, exercise more and regain control of their lives.
Mindful Yoga for Chronic Pain: 2018, 7-day on-site training
Sponsored by OHSU Mindful Yoga is a training provided by experts in the field of chronic pain helping teach yoga therapists, physical therapists, psychologists and others innovated approaches for mindfulness practices and yoga for people with chronic pain. Research has been done on the affects of Mindful-Yoga for chronic pain and has shown good efficacy.
ON-GOING EDUCATION: Since 1987
Allison has attended numerous trainings involving 2-5 days of education. Attendance at trainings informs her overall practice and she typically incorporates her learning into her practice of The Feldenkrais Method and does not necessarily indicate a specialization in the training techniques. In the past 10 years Allison’s training focus has been towards the continued advancements in understanding and treating people with chronic pain.
- Advanced Feldenkrais Trainings: Attended multiple 5-day trainings
Attended Annual Feldenkrais Conference 5 times
- Craniosacral Therapy I and II
- McKenzie Part A: Lumbar spine, Part B Cervical spine
- Medical Screening for the PT
- Manually Managing Pain: Simple Contact for Neural Tension
- Pain Physiology, PT and Pain Management
- Functional Rehab of the Cervical and Lumbosacral Spine
- The Running Course
- Explain Pain, Neuro Orthopedic Institute
- Evaluation, Treatment, and Prevention of Spinal Disorders
- Therapeutic Touch
- Osteoporosis: Advances in Therapeutic Management
- Introduction to Muscle Energy, Strain-CounterStrain, and Myofacial Release Technique
- Spirituality and Healing
- The Study of Biomechanics with Muscle Energy
- Subtle Energy as a Therapeutic Instrument
- Myofacial Mapping for Integrative Diagnosis
- Repetitive Use Injury Therapy and Muscle Release Technique
- Orthobionomy I
- OrthoBionomy for the Spine
- Pain Physiology, Physical Therapy & Pain Management
- Mobilization of the Nervous System
- Conquering Pain Together: Empowering Providers and Patients
- 3rd & 4th Annual Spine Symposium
- The Brain, Mind and Body in Chronic Pelvic Pain: From the Neuromuscular System to the Neuromatrix
- Tools for Teams: Completing the Pain Management Puzzle
- Neuroplastic Transformation for Chronic Pain
- Therapeutic Neuroscience Education 1: Educating Patients About Pain
- Impact of the Nervous System on Orthopedic Rehabilitation
- Osteoporosis: Comprehensive Treatment Strategies
- Chronic Non-Cancer Pain 101 Provider Workshop
- Trauma and Concussion Management
- Genetics and Connective Tissue Disorders
- Neuroplasticity: Using Movement to Create Oxytocin and Regenerate Your Brain
- Calming an Overactive Brain
- Basics of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Introduction to Motivational Interviewing
- Neuroplastic Transformation
- The Brain, Mind and Body in Chronic Pelvic Pain
- Chronic Pain In-Balance Assessment & Treatment
- The Terrain of Pain (PSO annual conference)
- Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization
ORGANIZATIONS:
Pain Society of Oregon: Member 2009 - 2016
Founded local Central Oregon Chapter and served as Secretary 2012 – 2015
The Western Pain Society is a multidisciplinary community of caring and passionate healthcare providers that seeks to advance the standard of care for people in pain through continuing education, advocacy, research and patient outreach.
I initiated a local chapter in 2015 so that local healthcare practitioners could advance their knowledge of the unique issues of chronic pain and collaborate to help Central Oregonians find relief from pain.
Toastmasters International: 2003 – 2007. Served as President of local HighNooners Chapter 2005-2006.
Bend Chamber of Commerce: 1998 - 2018
ConnectW: 1998 – Present
Allison participated on the ConnectW Board in 2003-2005 and 2013-2014
Clinician's Network: 1998 - Present
Our mission is to provide an environment for the exchange of ideas & practices from professionals in the Medical, Mental Health, & Spiritual disciplines to develop & improve the health of the Central Oregon community.
American Physical Therapy Association: 1985 – Present
Private Practice Section of APTA: 1998 – Present
Feldenkrais Guild of North America, 1994 to Present
Opportunity knocks, 2005 thru 2007
CLASSES & PRESENTATIONS Offered By ALLISON:
Allison has offered her insights through educational and experiential presentations or classes in various settings throughout Oregon and Bend to help people learn to improve their quality of life.
Community Classes offered through the years
Feldenkrais® Awareness Through Movement® Classes from 1995 thru 2013
Explain Pain Classes: 2008-2018
Sleep Classes: 2015-1017
Calm Your Pain: 2017, 2019, 2020
Mindfulness, Feldenrkais and Supportive conversations for people in pain.
Presentations/Lectures:
Allison has made presentations on Pain, Feldenkrais, Mindfulness, Sleep, Life/Stress Balance, and more for the following organizations.
-Pain Society of Oregon – local chapter and Annual Conferences.
-Connect-W: Local Business Women’s Networking Organization
-Clinician’s Network: Local networking group for counselors and like-minded healthcare professionals
-Bend Chamber of Commerce
-Bend Senior Center
-Local Health/Wellness Expos
-Small Clubs & Support Groups