In 1980, Vivien Muir was set to enter medical school when a sports injury sent her crawling, painfully, to a chiropractor. She walked out of the office convinced that the healer's gentle, effective treatment was her calling.

Four years later, the McGill University grad and native Townshipper completed the gruelling four-year programme in Toronto, and graduated cum laude. However, that was just the beginning of Dr. Muir's research into the healing arts.

Muir Clinic is located in the historic Molson's Bank Building, built in 1890, at 44 Victoria, Knowlton.

During 24 years of practice, her approach to healing has evolved through wide-ranging study, from homeopathic medicine, applied kinesiology and neurolinguistic programming, to training in osteopathic organ manipulation and cranial osteopathy (also known as craniosacral therapy). Experience with thousands of patients, combined with her intuitive abilities and her passion for helping herself and others discover simple, effective ways to heal themselves, have developed her gift to a fine art. Cranial osteopathy is a form of wholistic healing which addresses the relationship between the brain, the spine, and the balanced movement of bodily tissues, membranes and fluids which gives the human body its flexibility and tremendous restorative powers. It permits the gentle effective release of tissue memory imprints that otherwise cause restrictions and later, "dis-ease". The methods she uses also include her own personal contributions as a highly intuitive healer with a pioneering spirit.

"I've learned over the years that if I work with my intuitive side the results are better than the textbook."

For a person to be healthy, the spine needs its natural mobility, so that the nervous system it protects works properly. When this flexibility is re-established a person generally sees improved health. Often, the accumulation of pressure, illness and stress (mental, emotional and physical) can result in an imbalance or complete interruption of the Cranial Rhythm - the movement of cerebrospinal fluid which circulates around the brain and down the spinal cord. With its ripple effect on all body tissues and cells, this 'cranial rhythm' is detectable and correctable, by an experienced practitioner, throughout the body.

By restoring cranial rhythm, through gentle manipulation of tissues or other techniques, one can restore motion and balance to the tissues, which in turn provides tremendous relief to a wide range of painful ailments and conditions created and exacerbated by time. "Over the years you learn to detect restrictions in movement, abnormal patterns in all tissues, past trauma, imbalances, scar tissue, old accidents and stress: mental, emotional and physical."

Under treatment, the body heals, but so do the mind and spirit. "By treating the body, I often notice that a patient's mental and emotional flexibility improves too. Suddenly attitudes and feelings are less rigid."

"The body records all experiences as imprints on tissue, and this past is detected by a hands-on 'dialogue' with the cranial rhythm, which appears to be somehow intimately connected to the body's Inner Wisdom. The body releases information...

One thing I've found over the years is that there is NEVER ONE CAUSE to pain or illness. I deal in layers, treating the first cause or pattern that presents itself, then going deeper with each step. Certain tests allow the body to tell the doctor what it needs to clear, in the correct order, and this is an important key to success - learning to follow the patient's inner healing ability. With this global approach, patients have the opportunity to resolve underlying conditions beyond their initial complaint, and to work toward a high level of well-being."

What happens in treatment?

The ARCHING TEST is an important tool in craniosacral therapy. By placing her fingers lightly on key muscles, joints and organs, Dr. Muir is able to take a preliminary reading of a patient's physical and mental state. "I call it 'listening' with the hands. The body stores information electromagnetically like a video tape or computer disk. We all know there are complex pictures and sounds there even if we cannot see them! CS therapy is a way of decoding the signals and telling me where the body's restrictions are. Clearing the restrictions (read 'unnecessary or outmoded programmes') gently, safely, and in the right order, is a KEY to regaining and retaining health. "

The philosophy of this century is the common sense of the next! Muir has seen that these principles we accept easily in other fields - that we can delete unwanted files on a computer, for example - apply also to the human body. In fact, ground-breaking research at Stanford and Cornell Universities in the mid-nineties has shown that the trillions of cell membranes of the body act as microprocessors, with computing ability! Says Muir, medicine of the future will eventually take these truths into consideration because so often so much can be done, effectively, gently and safely, without the risks and side effects that are associated with pharmeceuticals and surgery. It is up to us, the consumer, to investigate the safe and intelligent alternatives that can be so helpful and complementary to traditional medical care.

What kind of illness can be treated?

In 19 years, thousands of patients have come to her with a vast range of problems, including asthma, allergies, back pain, attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities, headaches and migraines, back pain, knee problems, hormonal problems, high cholesterol, low and high blood pressure, sports injuries, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, insomnia, sclerosis, ear and throat aches, fever and of course, the ubiquitous modern complaint - stress. Her success in helping her patients find fast, long-lasting and sometimes quite astonishing relief for a range of painful complaints has been outstanding. However, she rejects all claim as a specialist treating specific symptoms. "I treat the person, not the medical condition. As you correct the restrictions and imbalances, the condition naturally improves in so many cases. Flexible movement equals flexible function! It may seem miraculous at times, but it is simply applied anatomy and neurology, so simple, in fact, that we may have overlooked its significance."

What age of patient can Dr. Muir help?

All ages! Currently her patients range from unborn babies to people in their nineties. A mother of twins, she loves treating children. In her Toronto practice, her work put her in touch with some of Canada's leading opera singers, dancers and musicians. She enjoys working with a wide range of people, young to "old", from all walks of life. "I don't believe we have to age the way we do in our society. I've seen people look much younger after treatments. When muscles, joints, and, yes, organs get tighter, over time, it becomes more difficult for them to function effectively. Eventually, tightness results in pain, which is an alarm signal... But this tightness is a complex accumulation of various stresses in numerous systems, organs, tissues, and cells. Treatments are a process of letting go, releasing stress safely, gently, step-by-step, that may have built up over a long time. And learning how to effectively avoid stress build-up, consciously plus 'cellularly'!"

But sadly, says Muir, we often wait for PAIN before we get some work done on ourselves. "We are kinder to our cars although they can be replaced every few years! We renovate our houses! Wouldn't it be wise to realize OUR BODY IS OUR HOME and needs structural work and 'tuning-up' too! Preventive maintenance from an early age - even 2 or 3 visits a year - would prevent this stress build-up, not to mention saving billions of taxpayers dollars that are now spent after the 'damage' is already done! Health can be created and it is up to us! In fact I have never yet met a 'victim ' of a disease despite the popularity of the concept; treatments are an education - a fascinating look at the myriad ways that we have created our problem, be it cancer, back pain, cerebral palsy,and so on..."

"When people come to me, their goal is usually to get rid of pain. My objectives include helping them gain an understanding of healing themselves. Such insights actually promote long-term healing. Self mastery is ultimately what it's all about... The healing powers of the body are tremendous, we just need to unlock and listen to that Inner Wisdom."

Dr. Vivien Muir has her office in the historic Old Molson Bank building at 44 Victoria St., Knowlton, Lac Brome, Quebec.