Pain Relief Using Somatic Movement
Somatic Movement was developed by philosopher Thomas Hanna in the 1970s. He was interested in human freedom, particularly freedom of movement and freedom from pain. Hanna coined the term “somatics” to refer to systems that focus on experiencing sensations from a first-person perspective, or “from within”.
The main benefits of Somatic Movement are releasing unconsciously held muscular tension. We all respond reflexively to stress by tensing our muscles, and over time, the brain and nervous system may gradually adapt to higher levels of tension and hold them as the new “resting” level.
Somatic Movement is an effective way to become more aware of these patterns and then reset them to a more relaxed state. This results in outcomes that include relieving pain, easier breathing, better posture and improved mobility.
One recent study found significant reductions in neck and back pain with just a few hands-on sessions—on average, pain levels measured on a five-point scale decreased from more than 3 to 0.7 or less, and the use of pain medication declined substantially.
Somatic Movement is different from other modalities in two respects. One is the emphasis on pandiculation, the movement we associate with a yawn—a gentle contraction of the muscles followed by a slow, controlled release—to lower muscle tension levels. When performed deliberately, this can help overcome the nervous system habit of unconsciously holding effort when it is not needed.
The second difference is the emphasis on educating people to use these movements on their own, so they need not rely on a practitioner to achieve freedom. Although hands-on sessions are a faster way to achieve results, group classes or practicing the movements independently are also effective. The best results are achieved by reinforcing hands-on sessions with a few minutes of individual Somatic Movement practice every day.
The main benefits of Somatic Movement are releasing unconsciously held muscular tension. We all respond reflexively to stress by tensing our muscles, and over time, the brain and nervous system may gradually adapt to higher levels of tension and hold them as the new “resting” level.
Somatic Movement is an effective way to become more aware of these patterns and then reset them to a more relaxed state. This results in outcomes that include relieving pain, easier breathing, better posture and improved mobility.
One recent study found significant reductions in neck and back pain with just a few hands-on sessions—on average, pain levels measured on a five-point scale decreased from more than 3 to 0.7 or less, and the use of pain medication declined substantially.
Somatic Movement is different from other modalities in two respects. One is the emphasis on pandiculation, the movement we associate with a yawn—a gentle contraction of the muscles followed by a slow, controlled release—to lower muscle tension levels. When performed deliberately, this can help overcome the nervous system habit of unconsciously holding effort when it is not needed.
The second difference is the emphasis on educating people to use these movements on their own, so they need not rely on a practitioner to achieve freedom. Although hands-on sessions are a faster way to achieve results, group classes or practicing the movements independently are also effective. The best results are achieved by reinforcing hands-on sessions with a few minutes of individual Somatic Movement practice every day.
Phil Howard
Phil Howard is a certified clinical somatic educator and a member of the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association. He offers hands-on, clinical Somatic Movement sessions at Williamston Wellness Health Collective and teaches group classes and workshops in the Lansing area. For more information, call 517-275-2388, email [email protected] or visit PhilHoward.net.
