What is body therapy?
Muscle tension, back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders are among the most common reasons for work disability among professionals. Although physically heavy work is not as common nowadays as it used to be, we still put a strain on our bodies every day: a lifestyle with little exercise, frequent sitting and high stress directly affects physical and mental health.
There is a wide range of schools and methods that fall under the term body therapy. These include, for example, qigong or functional relaxation. In recent years, body therapies have become increasingly important. In many clinics, they are already an integral part of treatment.
Body psychotherapy
In the field of psychotherapy, there is also body psychotherapy. Here the focus is on the close interplay between psyche and body:
The body psychotherapist combines psychotherapeutic methods with physical exercises. Starting from body awareness exercises to breathing exercises and psychophysiological stress management methods, body psychotherapy offers techniques and exercises for a wide range of problems.
When to do body therapy?
Body therapy can also support the psychotherapeutic process for psychological problems. If you want to use body therapy for psychological reasons, you should pay attention to the training of the body therapist. The term body therapy is not protected by law. Only medical or psychological psychotherapists as well as non-medical practitioners of psychotherapy have the appropriate training to be able to treat psychological disorders.
The costs of body therapy are not covered by health insurance. However, if behavioral or psychodynamic therapists incorporate body therapy techniques into psychotherapy, they can bill health insurance companies for the treatment. Whether private insurance companies cover the costs depends on the respective contract. Find out about this in advance!
What do you do in body therapy?
Sensorimotor body therapy according to Dr. Pohl (Pohltherapie®)
The psychological psychotherapist Helga Pohl developed the sensorimotor body therapy. It is suitable for patients with chronic pain, problems in mobility or physical complaints that have no organic cause (e.g. constant abdominal pain). Depression and anxiety, states of exhaustion and burnout are also diagnoses for which Pohl Therapy® can be tried.
The sensory body therapist works on the problem areas with targeted touches and movements. Some exercises can also be performed by the patient. A typical exercise, for example, is tensing and relaxing muscles to loosen up and learn the difference between a healthy state and tension.
Rosen Method
This method comes from the physiotherapist Marion Rosen. As a healing source, touch with the hands is the focus of treatment here. It is a psychospiritual approach in which the body therapist releases blockages in the patient’s consciousness through his or her touch. Tensions in the body are interpreted as expressions of repressed feelings.
Skan body therapy
Integrative body therapy
Integrative body therapy originated from Gestalt therapy and was developed for people with mental disabilities. Patients should learn to express themselves through the body and find a connection to themselves. To do this, the therapist uses physical exercises that meet the needs of the patient. For example, a restless patient is given calm exercises that make him feel safe.
Rolfing
Functional relaxation
In functional relaxation, the therapist directs attention to specific parts of the body. By focusing, the patient can notice changes in the body. He learns to let go of his breathing and relax into his body.
Qigong
What are the risks of body therapy?
Working with the body requires the therapist to have extensive knowledge and a certain amount of experience. After all, not all exercises are suitable for all patients. The wrong application can be too stressful or even result in injuries. Especially older people can be overloaded by excessive activity.
Patients who have had traumatic experiences can be reminded of them by touching their bodies. If body therapy triggers violent emotional reactions in those affected, it may have to be discontinued. The therapist then first works on stabilizing the patient in conversation.
What do I need to keep in mind after body therapy?
Also pay attention to how your body feels after the body therapy. If you feel pain that does not go away, be sure to let the therapist know. If in doubt, you should also seek medical advice.
When doing exercises at home, be careful never to force movements. During body therapy exercises, try to work with your body and not against it.