What Is Movement Therapy and How Does It Work?
As humans, we get into patterns in terms of how we stand, walk, sit, and do various activities in life. Sometimes, through injury, trauma, repetitive movements, poor ergonomics or posture, those patterns aren’t the most efficient for the body and can cause undue pressure or strain on particular muscles and joints. Movement therapies help to ‘wake up’ the nervous system of the body, increasing awareness of where those inefficient patterns are, and through subtle, often strange looking movements, remind the body that there are many options for how to move, rather than only the one that it has been doing. This results in changes in movement patterns, which ultimately reduce pain and tension in the body. The types of movement therapies that I offer are Biosomatics® and Bones for Life ®, both off-shoots of Feldenkrais® movement reeducation, with Biosomatics® also an off-shoot of Hanna Somatics® work.
What Does Movement Therapy Help With?
Bones for Life® has been found to increase bone mineral density. Most of the research has focused on Feldenkrais® and found it helpful at reducing chronic pain, increasing mobility, lessening depression and anxiety, improving balance, and aiding in recovery of movement post-stroke and post-injuries.
Is Movement Therapy Safe for Everyone to Practice?
Movement therapies are safe for everyone to practice, within certain guidelines. If you have a particular health concern, talk to the instructor first to see whether a particular exercise is appropriate for you, or whether any exercises would be best done in a modified fashion.
Can I Practice This On My Own?
Once you have been shown movement exercises with an instructor and feel comfortable with the exercises, it is very helpful to practice them on your own. It is best, though, to first have an instructor watch your movements and help you make adjustments as needed, before trying them on your own.