Body therapy or bodywork can mean massage, somatic therapy, acupressure, shiatsu, Tui Na, Rosen Method Bodywork and any kind of energy healing including Reiki – if it uses touch or is hands-on.
Experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is stress-related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress.
The difference between alternative medicine holistic therapy body work and massage is that clients remain clothed in their session or treatment. Due to the clothing, lotions and creams are generally not incorporated. There may be some kneading, pressure and manipulation of tissue but that may not be the case as some modalities use predominantly light or gentle touch.
Bodywork is a tool for managing stress, which translates into:
- Decreased anxiety.
- More balanced energy.
- Enhanced sleep quality.
- Improved concentration.
- Feelings of well-being and peace.
- Greater confidence and optimism.
Bodywork like CCT, acupressure, shiatsu, Thai massage and Reiki can also help specifically address a number of health issues. Bodywork therapy can:
- Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.
- Alleviate emotional factors that are a component of healing.
- Bring the body into balance.
- Ease medication dependence.
- Ease grief, life transitions and highly emotional life changes.
- Help release entrenched patterns.
- Help athletes and performers of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts and performances.
- Improve the condition of the body’s largest organ—the skin.
- Increase joint flexibility.
- Balance the chakras.
- Lessen depression and anxiety.
- Enhance mental attitude.
- Improve flow.
- Reduce postsurgery healing time.
- Reduce allergies and infections.
- Help release tension and contracted, overused muscles.
- Release endorphins—amino acids – feel good chemicals – that work as the body’s natural painkiller.
- Relieve migraine and headache pain.
- Help relieve fibromyalgia.
- Bring nurturing comfort and greater feelings of well-being.
Sometimes traditional massage and bodywork bring up fears, anxieties, and grief and sorrow. Not all massage therapists or bodywork therapists are experienced in handling these kinds of emotions.
A bodywork therapist or body-centered energy practitioner who is trained to understand the mind – body – spirit connection can help you make sense of where the emotions are coming from.
The body is a storehouse of information and with the right guidance you can bring conscious awareness to patterned behaviors (e.g. chronically tight shoulders, torqued hips, tension headaches, allergies and certain stress-related illnesses). Each of these physical ailments has an emotional story to tell.
How many times have you been seen by a professional massage therapist, chiropractor, or medical doctor for a tight neck or severe headache only to have it return once you’re out the door?
A bodyworker who works in a holistic fashion (with acupressure, meditation, mindfulness, Rosen Method of Movement, stretching, and flower essences, for example) will help you to explore and possibly connect with the root cause.
A conscientious practitioner will refer you to other holistic professionals like yoga instructors, psychotherapists or your doctor for your greater well-being.
Body therapy or body work, as with any therapeutic treatment, involves a willingness to seek ongoing support if appropriate. It is an investment in one self, short term and long term.
