Body Therapy: Treatment, Effects & Risks

The term body therapy includes various treatment techniques that serve to improve posture. Movement sequences can also be improved with the methods of body therapy. Exactly which techniques are used differs depending on the body therapy school.

What is body therapy?

The term body therapy includes various treatment techniques that serve to improve posture. One body therapy technique is acupressure. The professional title of body therapist and also the term body therapy are not protected in Germany. Body therapy as a method for self-awareness is also not subject to any restrictions on practice. The situation is different when body therapy is used to heal and/or alleviate illness. In this case, body therapy is reserved for non-medical practitioners, physicians, psychological psychotherapists and child and youth psychotherapists. Since the term body therapy is not protected, there is also no unanimous opinion as to which method really belongs to body therapy and which does not. However, all methods have in common that they aim to improve posture and movement.

Function, effect and goals

One method of body therapy is acupressure. It is a holistic therapy method that originates from traditional Chinese medicine. By applying blunt pressure to certain acupressure points, the life energy, or qi, is supposed to be brought into flow. The acupuncture massage according to Penzel is similar. It is based on acupuncture, but does not use needles, but a small metal rod to stimulate the acupuncture points. The therapist strokes the metal rod over so-called acupuncture meridians or stimulates individual points directly. The method is mainly used in pain therapy or for diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The Alexander Technique is also a body therapy. It focuses primarily on physical malpositions. These are usually manifested by tension, pain or functional limitations. The aim of the technique is for those affected to become aware of habits that negatively affect their posture and neuromuscular coordination. The Alexander Technique is often used by musicians, actors, singers or dancers. Similar to the Alexander Technique is the Feldenkrais Method. According to its founder Moshé Feldenkrais, the method is said to reduce pain so that movements are easier. The Feldenkrais Method focuses on everyday movement patterns. With the help of the method, patients should be able to perceive these movement patterns more consciously. Disadvantageous patterns are to be dissolved and replaced by better alternatives. The Feldenkrais Method is used primarily after injuries in rehabilitation and for pain caused by poor posture. Similar to the Alexander Technique, the Feldenkrais Method is also popular with musicians, dancers and athletes. Another holistic form of bodywork is Esalen massage. It was developed in California in the 1960s and is based on a Swedish form of massage. Esalen massage is a full body massage that consists of various strokes, passive joint movements and deep tissue work. Esalen massage is intended to train the patient’s body awareness and bring about a harmonious balance. In this way, both physical and energetic blockages are to be released. The procedure is said to be particularly suitable for people with chronic neck and back pain. Esalen massage is also indicated for migraine and headaches of other origins. Jin Shin Jyutsu is a more esoteric form of body therapy. It is intended to harmonize Qi, the life energy, and is based on various finger postures (mudras) and healing flow. The goal of Jin Shin Jyutsu is to help the organism heal itself. An offshoot of Jin Shin Jyutsu is Japanese Healing Streaming. A complementary medical method is Rolfing, which was developed by Ida Rolf. The focus of treatment in Rolfing is on the fascial network. According to Ida Rolf, the connective tissue and especially the fasciae play an important role in body posture. Due to incorrect stress, accidents or injuries, the fasciae can strengthen or even harden. Such hardenings are then said to lead to the fixation of incorrect postures and thus to movement restrictions.Qi Gong, the Chinese healing gymnastics, and Tai Chi, meditative forms of movement, also belong to the body therapies. In the Rose Method, gentle and mindful touch is intended to provide deep relaxation and access to hidden feelings. The founder of the method assumed that chronic muscle tension can also be emotionally caused. Thus, by releasing the hidden feelings, the muscles should be supported in relaxation. The method is thus based on an assumed interaction between soul and body. A combination of different body therapies is Postural Integration according to Jack Painter. The method is based on elements from Rolfing, a connective tissue massage, breath work as well as methods from body psychotherapy and Gestalt therapy. Jack Painter also assumes that all mental, spiritual and physical processes are interconnected. Other well-known methods of body therapy are Structural Bodywork (SKT), the Trager Method, Terlusollogy, TRE exercises, rebalancing, kinesthetics, running therapy or even breathing therapy.

Risks, side effects, and dangers

The efficacy of most body therapies has not been scientifically proven or has been insufficiently proven. Despite this lack of proof of effectiveness and the placebo accusation, some procedures are covered by health insurance. Many of the body therapies have existed for decades and can show considerable success. In a time when medicine is often highly technologized and rarely human, more and more people prefer alternative healing methods such as body therapy. This carries the risk that serious illnesses are simply overlooked. In case of doubt, a doctor should be consulted if the complaints do not improve despite body therapy. A doctor should also be consulted before body therapy if symptoms are unclear or if they occur for the first time.