Somatic Movement Therapy: Move, Heal, Transform
What is Somatic Movement Therapy?
Somatic movement therapy is a form of bodywork that integrates sensorimotor learning with movement exploration, aiming to foster improved mind-body control and coordination. It emphasizes internal physical perception and experience and is often used to alleviate chronic pain.
Somatic methods believe that our bodies hold onto past traumas and stress in the form of muscle tension and rigidity. By focusing on the internal experience of movement, somatic movement therapy helps to release this tension, promoting greater physical ease and well-being.
This therapy involves various techniques including observation, touch, movement explorations, and exercises, with the aim of increasing self-awareness, enhancing motor control, improving physical capacity, and reducing discomfort or pain.
Want to know more? Let’s dive right in!
What this blog will cover…
Somatic Movement Benefits in Chronic Pain Treatment
The Science Behind Somatic Movement Therapy
How does Somatic Movement Therapy Break the Pain Cycle?
How to Incorporate Somatic Movement Therapy into Your Chronic Pain Treatment Plan
Conclusion
What is Somatic Movement Therapy?
1. Somatic Movement Benefits in Chronic Pain Treatment
When it comes to chronic pain treatment, the somatic movement benefits are manifold. First and foremost, it helps to break the vicious cycle of pain and stress. By focusing on the internal awareness of the body, it helps individuals to recognize and release the tension that contributes to their pain.
Furthermore, it promotes enhanced motor control. By learning to move in more efficient and less stressful ways, individuals can reduce the strain on their bodies, thereby reducing pain. Somatic movement therapy also fosters a sense of empowerment. Instead of feeling at the mercy of their pain, individuals learn to control and influence their own physical experiences.
Finally, it contributes to overall well-being. By reducing pain and tension, enhancing movement and function, and promoting a greater sense of control and agency, somatic movement therapy can significantly improve an individual's quality of life.
2. The Science Behind Somatic Movement Therapy
Somatic movement therapy is grounded in the principles of neuroplasticity, the idea that our brains and nervous system can change and adapt throughout our lives. This adaptability is harnessed in somatic movement therapy to help 'retrain' the body and break the cycle of chronic pain.
Specifically, it uses the concept of sensory-motor amnesia, the idea that over time, due to habitual use, stress, or trauma, our bodies can 'forget' how to move efficiently and without pain. Through mindful movement and awareness, somatic movement therapy works to 'remind' the body of its natural capabilities.
3. How does Somatic Movement Therapy Break the Pain Cycle?
Somatic movement therapy breaks the pain cycle by addressing the root causes of chronic pain, such as muscle tension, poor posture, and inefficient movement patterns. By increasing body awareness, individuals can identify and change these harmful patterns, thereby reducing pain.
Moreover, by promoting relaxation and stress relief, somatic movement therapy can help to alleviate the anxiety and tension that often accompany chronic pain. This not only reduces pain in the immediate term but can also help to prevent the recurrence of chronic pain in the future.
4. How to Incorporate Somatic Movement Therapy into Your Chronic Pain Treatment Plan
Incorporating somatic movement therapy into your chronic pain treatment plan can be done in several ways. Firstly, seek a qualified somatic movement therapist who can guide you through the process. They can help you to develop a personalized program that suits your needs and goals.
You can also incorporate somatic movement practices into your daily routine. This could involve simple exercises to promote relaxation and body awareness, such as mindful stretching or deep breathing. It's also important to take a holistic approach to your treatment, considering other factors such as diet, sleep, and stress management.
5. Conclusion
Chronic pain can be a challenging and often frustrating condition to live with. However, innovative therapies like somatic movement therapy offer hope for breaking the pain cycle. By promoting body awareness, reducing tension, and improving movement efficiency, somatic movement therapy can significantly improve the quality of life for those living with chronic pain. So, if you're ready to take control of your pain, why not explore what somatic movement therapy can do for you?
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Sources:
Meehan, E. and Carter, B. (2021). Moving With Pain: What Principles From Somatic Practices Can Offer to People Living With Chronic Pain. Frontiers in Psychology, [online] 11. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.620381.
Ryan, L. (2022). Somatic Therapy for Chronic Pain. [online] Lisa Ryan Physiotherapy. Available at: https://lisaryanphysiotherapy.com/blog/somatic-therapy-for-chronic-pain.
Salamon, M. (2023). What is somatic therapy? [online] Harvard Health. Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-somatic-therapy-202307072951.
