Month: September 2009

Most of these healing techniques involve body awareness and movement re-education. However, many massage therapists refer to their work as “body work,” thus there is a crossover in many instances. For the purpose of clarifying these techniques, we have separated body work from the massage therapies.

Maury Malyn, MS, PT – Myofascial Release, Physical Therapy – Main Line of Philadelphia, Center City Philadelphia and Chester,
Delaware and Montgomery County, PA

Live Well Holistic Health Center – Dr. Martin Orimenko, DC, ND, FIACA – Director – Chiropractic and Body Work, Massage, Acupuncture, Acupressure, Nutrition, Cleansing, Ayurvedic Medicine, Neuro-Emotional Technique, Emotional and Lifestyle Counseling, Nutritional Supplements – Ardmore, PA, Main Line PA, Philadelphia, Southeastern PA

Alexander Technique
Developed by Frederick Alexander, these techniques rebalance the body through awareness, movement and touch. They involve becoming conscious of faulty habits and postures, so that a new body image is constructed, allowing improved motion, balance, posture and body responsiveness. The Alexander teacher guides one through activities with gentle touch and the client’s own coordination emerges, resulting in an experience of kinesthetic lightness. Thinking becomes clearer, sensations livelier, movement more pleasurable, and feelings more accessible.

Feldenkrais Method
A technique developed by Moshe Feldenkrais which imparts a sense of exploration, experimentation, and innovation that allows each person to find his or her optimal style of movement. Includes two approaches: Awareness Through Movement, a slow and gentle sequence designed to replace old patterns of movement with new ones; and Functional Integration, where the practitioner actively guides the client’s body through individualized movements.

The Feldenkrais Method involves innovative movement sequences which address every joint and muscle group and all aspects of human functioning. It is an effective tool for orthopedic and neurological problems.

Kinesiology
Kiniesology involves muscle testing for functional neurological evaluation, establishing strengths and weaknesses. Usuallyconducted by a Chiropractor who received special training in this technique.

Neuro Emotional Technique (N.E.T.)
N.E.T. is a methodology of finding and removing neurological aberrations (Neuro-Emotional Complexes) in the body. These negative emotions (conscious or unconscious) have, as a component part, specific emotional neurophysiological patterns, which may manifest as a spinal subluxation and a specific imbalance in a muscle or acupuncture meridian. N.E.T. is ultimately a method of finding and removing vertebral subluxation.

Physical Therapy
The art and science of musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Physical therapists work with clients in all areas of medicine, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics, cardiology, neurology and rheumatology. Therapists focus on areas such as strength, movement, posture, balance and pain management to assist clients in achieving optimal independence. There are a variety of treatment methods, such as exercise, hot or cold therapy, aquatic therapy, hands-on healing techniques, etc. to assist clients.

Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy
Individualized yoga sessions in which the practitioner assists the client in yoga postures according to an individualized program developed between the practitioner and client.

Rolfing
Technique differs in that it focuses on the connective tissue (fascia, the wrapping that binds muscle and bone). The purpose of Rolfing is to stretch and unwind the thickened fascias, reestablish proper alignment, restore normal relationship between muscle and bones and improve their function.

Somatic Work
Addresses the traumas,tensions, memories stored in the musculoskeletal system. Practitioners utilize a number of therapeutic techniques to facilitate release work and awareness for further integration/development of the self. Dr. Thomas Hanna’s Somatic exercises, based on the work of Moshe Feldenkrais®, are body reeducation movements that make changes in the sensory-motor areas of the brain in order to maintain internal control of the muscle system. Also referred to as Biokinetics.

Rubenfeld Synergy
A pioneering form of integrated therapy, combining elements of Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais® Method with Gestalt Therapy. It involves touch, movement and talk therapy.

Trager
Trager is a hands-on approach to mind/body education. Gentle, rhythmic body movement promotes relaxation,mobility, and mental calm, and releases disconnections in the central nervous system. It helps clients recognize and release habitual patterns of tensions that are present in posture and movement.

Unergi Holistic Therapy
Unergi combines elements from the Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais Method, and Rubenfeld Synergy, with creative expression, the healing forces of nature, the chakras, dream work and spirituality. Developed by Ute Arnold, training programs for holistic therapy, and private sessions.

Yoga
Yoga is a system of self-improvement which includes engaging in various postures, relaxation exercises and breathing techniques for balancing energy flow, and lifestyle management. There are a number of types of yoga,the more popular forms include Hatha and Kundalini. Other popular forms include Kripalu and Iyengar, named after individual teachers.