experiencelifemag.com
Treatments for Psychogenic Pain
Below, a sampling of successful treatment options for psychogenic pain.
By Susan Gaines |
April 2008 |
Somatic Integration: Craig Williamson’s method of muscular retraining and therapy that combines corrective movement exercises, hands-on therapy, kinesthetic retraining, body-alignment education and psychophysical repatterning. www.somaticintegration.com
Rolfing: A system of soft-tissue manipulation and movement training developed by Ida Rolf in the 1940s. Shown to relieve pain and chronic stress and create lasting changes in the body’s alignment. www.rolf.org
Ortho-Bionomy: Working with the body rather than against it, practitioners use gentle, osteopathic-based touch to help reeducate the body to function efficiently, reduce pain and heal injuries. www.ortho-bionomy.org
The Rosen Method Bodywork: Distinguished by gentle touch, Rosen Method practitioners use their hands to “listen” to chronic muscle tension to help guide clients to awareness of habitual tension. www.rosenmethod.org/#bodywork
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): An easy-to-use meditation practice popularized by Jon Kabat-Zinn. Shown to reduce the perception of and limitations caused by chronic pain. www.umassmed.edu/content.aspx?id=41252
Trager Approach: Utilizing gentle, nonintrusive, natural movements, the two-part Trager Approach helps release deep-seated physical and mental patterns and facilitates deep relaxation, increased physical mobility and mental clarity. www.trager.com
Hellerwork Structural Integration: Joseph Heller developed this combination of deep-tissue structural bodywork, movement education and dialogue to explore feelings and thoughts. The three-pronged approach has found great success in alleviating pain. www.hellerwork.com
Feldenkrais Method: A form of somatic integration that uses focused gentle movement to increase range of motion and flexibility. Movement sequences are said to bring clarity to a sense of self as attention is brought to movement. Ease of motion and alleviation of pain are among the benefits of this method. www.feldenkrais.com
Alexander Technique: A combination of hands-on guidance and verbal
instruction help students recognize habits of tension that interfere with good
posture and efficient movement that can lead to pain. www.alexandertechnique.com
and
www.alexandercenter.com
Gyrotonic: Combining principles of Kundalini yoga, swimming, gymnastics, tai
chi and dance, this exercise system teaches the body to move in an integrated,
graceful manner. Paying special attention to the healthy functioning of the
spine, this three-dimensional and circular system strengthens the mind-body
connection while it alleviates pain. www.gyrotonic.com







