Bioenergetic analysis represents a psychotherapeutic procedure designed to detect and help resolve energy blockages. The analysis is based on character studies. Bioenergetic analysis is now embedded in all psychotherapeutic care.
What is bioenergetic analysis?
In its approach, bioenergetic analysis assumes that when feelings and drives are repressed, energy blockages develop via tension, disrupting the flow of energy. The therapy consists of a combination of talk therapy and physical interventions. Bioenergetic analysis is a psychotherapeutic procedure that establishes the connection between psychological and somatic disorders. It detects energy blockages and develops strategies to resolve them. The method was developed by the US-American physician Alexander Lowen in 1947. Lowen based his work on the findings of Siegmund Freud’s psychoanalysis and the theory of psychologist Wilhelm Reich. Wilhelm Reich further developed psychoanalysis into character analysis, using his findings on psychological and muscular armor. In doing so, he described character formation as psychological defenses that lead to somatic complaints via physical tensions. According to his theory, the character is formed by the isolation against the external stimuli and the internal drives. The resulting tensions can be analyzed through physical postures. Within the framework of the bioenergetic analysis developed by Alexander Lowen, these energy blockages are to be traced and made conscious. Only in this way can an undisturbed flow of energy be restored.
Function, effect and goals
The procedure of bioenergetic analysis is used today as part of psychotherapeutic care in psychosomatic practice, psychiatric clinics and other medical institutions. In practice, it has proven its effectiveness. Many somatic diseases can be traced back to psychological disorders and repression of feelings. In its approach, bioenergetic analysis assumes that when feelings and drives are repressed, energy blockages are formed via tensions, which disrupt the flow of energy. Due to these blockages, physical complaints occur, which the affected patient, however, does not see in connection with his repressed feelings. By analyzing the blockages and making them conscious, the healing process should then take place. For this purpose, it is first necessary to analyze the character of the patient in order to quickly find the energy blockages. The therapy consists of a combination of talk therapy and physical interventions. In this process, the therapist analyzes the patient’s transference of old repressed feelings to the new social relationship, responding with attention to his countertransference feelings. The physical work consists in deepening the breathing, provoking involuntary body movements and modulating the vocal bound expression. The aim is also to raise the general energy level in order to achieve a deepening of emotional feeling and expressive tolerance. The central element of bioenergetic analysis is the so-called grounding. Grounding means grounding and is intended to make physical feeling tangible. This includes walking upright in the gravitational field of the earth, becoming aware of one’s own roots, one’s own physical perception and much more. A prerequisite of the treatment is the analysis of the character, which can already give clear indications of the present disturbances. During the character studies typical behaviors, the typical inner experience and the characteristic physical posture patterns come to light. In the context of bioenergetic analysis, the schizoid, the oral, the psychopathic, the masochistic and the rigid character structure are distinguished. Schizoid personalities separate thinking and feeling very strongly. Often there is a loss of reality due to the loss of contact with the outside world. The schizoid’s sense of self is limited. Persons with an oral character structure are very in need of leaning and are dependent. Oral personalities have not yet psychologically overcome the oral phase of life (babyhood). Psychopaths want to exercise power and manipulate other people. Masochistic personalities are characterized by inferiority complexes and appear submissive to the outside world.Inwardly, however, they develop feelings of hatred and superiority. Their assertiveness is very degraded. Rigid personalities appear stiff and unapproachable. They hope to gain recognition from other people through performance. All of these character structures establish themselves through repression of feelings. The really existing feelings become unconscious for the affected person. However, functional physical symptoms often appear without organic causes being found. Bioenergetic analysis followed by therapy is designed to make patients aware of the connection between feeling repression and various physical symptoms, thereby releasing the energy blockages and initiating the healing process.
Risks, side effects and dangers
In addition to its application to psychosomatic clinical pictures, bioenergetic analysis is also used for neurotic diseases. Among other things, it is used for depression, anxiety, burnout, post-traumatic stress disorder, sexual sensation disorders, and functional psychosomatic disorders. However, this method cannot be the sole method of treatment. It is, however, a complementary method. The causes of physical symptoms are manifold, so that a focus on individual treatment methods could have fatal consequences. Character disorders will also influence the course of illnesses with organic causes. However, all other causes of illness must first be ruled out prior to bioenergetic analysis. However, when bioenergetic analysis is performed, the process must also be done gently to ensure a satisfying lifestyle with a better quality of life. On the whole, this procedure has proven successful for many psychosomatic complaints and is therefore also anchored in the overall concept of psychotherapeutic treatment. However, it cannot be billed by the health insurance as a sole therapeutic procedure. Bioenergetic analysis has been recognized as a therapeutic method at the European level by the EAP (European Association for Psychotherapy). However, in the context of statutory health insurance, this recognition is still lacking.
