Biodynamic massage can help people with a wide range of issues, for example those –
- With body image problems
- Who are holding trauma within their body
- Dealing with chronic stress
- Who are feeling unsupported or
- Who feel stuck in life
It can be particularly effective with psycho-physical issues like chronic fatigue, headaches, digestive problems and menstrual pain and insomnia.
How I work with Biodynamic massage
My aim is to help you establish a good relationship with your body so promoting a feeling of health and well-being. Many of us carry very critical and judgemental feelings and baggage about our bodies and selves.
In a typical first session we will spend some time talking about you and what you are looking for and taking a short medical history to ensure safety. After that the session will take place either on a massage couch or on a floor mattress. I will choose from a range of techniques to suit your needs.
Energy distribution
I might use a technique called energy distribution to help the flow of energy from the core of the body to the limbs.
Emptying
A technique called emptying can be used to help flush out stagnant stuck energy or energy ‘packing’ to help someone who feels frightened or lacking in boundary.
Connective tissue massage
Connective tissue massage may help distribution of energy throughout the whole body.
Many other techniques are available to suit individual clients. I work to bring energy and life that is stuck or stagnant in the body outwards, allowing for more freedom of movement, vitality and spontaneity. Some of the techniques are relaxing and some are invigorating. We will work with whatever seems appropriate in each session.
In Biodynamic massage the relationship between the therapist and the client is most important. Some people get in touch with memories and feelings that have been held in the body and the touch and holding help them to integrate them and find meaning in their present situation. I give room, warmth and support for this process. I aim to provide a space of safety and trust in which we both can get curious about what is happening for you. Through either verbal or non-verbal communication we will explore and aim to reach a deeper sense of connection, promoting health and well-being and vitality.
Although a single session can be valuable, a series of an agreed number will increase the benefit. You can work with me using Biodynamic massage as part of a psychotherapy relationship or you can have it as a stand -alone therapy. If you are already having psychotherapy elsewhere you can receive Biodynamic massage as well, but you should tell your therapist. Read on to find out more about Biodynamic theory.
Humans possess a self-healing capacity
We are energetic beings and are motivated by life energy or life force. Illness and emotional upset may be a manifestation of being out of balance with our life energy. Many of us in Western Society are chronically alienated from ourselves as embodied beings and spend most of our time ‘over-thinking’. Biodynamic massage seeks to re-engage us with the life of our bodies helping us integrate as whole beings. It may be the beginning of a journey in which we digest and process old emotional material, which is partly held, within our bodies.
Unique features of Biodynamic massage
Recent neuroscience research has highlighted that, in emotional health, the body has the ability to self –regulate that is to absorb experiences from the environment, to take in whatever is needed and to dispose of what is not. Bodily self-regulation plays a huge role in processing trauma and other emotional difficulties. Due to life experiences some of us have lost the ability to self-regulate efficiently.
Biodynamic massage and self-regulation
Biodynamic massage links self- regulation not only to chemical and neuronal processes but to also to the movement of life energy. It theorises that energy moves in a cycles known as the vasomotric cycle. The cycle has 4 stages: Charging; action/expression; discharge and relaxation. It is mirrored by what happens in the autonomic nervous system in the movement between the sympathetic nervous system ( up-ward, action, charging, adrenaline, movement ) and the parasympathetic ( downwards, relaxing ). Some people have a tendency to get stuck at a particular point in the cycle. Some seem to be forever on the go and unable to relax whereas others never seem to be able to motivate themselves with any energy. These patterns may be caused by or exacerbated by childhood or recent traumas. Neuroscientists have extensively researched the role of the ANS in Post Traumatic Stress Disorders.
Emotional digestion
The digestive process and particularly peristalsis plays a very significant role in emotional self-regulation. In Biodynamic massage we sometimes use a stethoscope to listen to peristalsis.I do not always use the stethoscope when working with Biodynamic massage but if I do, I either listen myself or put it onto speaker so you can hear the fascinating sounds of your own body digesting and responding to touch. Peristalsis is considered to be ‘psycho-peristalsis’ as well as part of the process of digesting food. It follows that emotional material is processed, digested and ideally goes through the vasomotric cycle. Listening to the sounds of the belly rumbling can give clues to where energy may be stuck in the cycle and guide us as therapist as to where to turn our attention and to the effective level of touch . Listening to the psycho peristalsis can be seen as a conversation between the therapist and the less conscious aspects of the client.
I have been practicing since 2000. I usually combine Biodynamic massage with Psychotherapy although I am happy to see clients for Biodynamic massage as a stand-alone therapy.You can find out about my qualifications on the ‘about me’ page.
