Body Psychology

Body Psychology is the idea that everything that happens in the body from birth to death is connected to the mind and helps us to create meaningful lives. Feelings are centered in the body. We feel physical touch and we feel good or bad inside. The Body has a way of remembering and knowing even when the mind has become unconscious of things from the past.

Touch is our first language. As infants we learn about ourselves from feeling the touch of our caretakers. We bond and attach in our early years here on earth through touch first. We learn if others can be relied upon. We learn if our needs are important. We learn if we are lovable all at a very early age mainly through the attention of touch. Touch creates bonds but also creates separation through abuse, trauma or disease processes.

Science is only just beginning to understand how it all works. Discoveries are being made in brain and body chemistry showing that there are chemicals in the brain (neuropeptides) that have receptor sites not only in the brain but in the body. Candace Pert is one of the scientists who have discovered this fact and concludes that "emotions are not just in the brain, they're in the body". Thus our brain and body chemistry can be influenced through touch and emotions can be stored and recalled through the body and touch.

No matter how good the parent or caregiver is there is always some issues in attachment and bonding that never get met causing distress in the infant as well as the adult.

Tension patterns in the body can be cleared easily when they are purely mechanical in nature. Psychologically based tension patterns tend to come back time and time again. This happens because releasing this tension pattern would also involve releasing the underlying defense mechanism or unconscious process. This is called 'Armoring' and it's purpose is to defend against threatening situations and protect one from the feelings related to the tension patterns.

These tension patterns and underlying unconscious beliefs can affect the health of the body as well as the health of relationships, work and the ability to care for one's self financially, physically and emotionally.

Getting regular massage sessions while it is not being done by the parent or caregiver when it was needed for adequate bonding in early life, can provide a safe place where a person can then begin to feel themselves again and get in touch with their inner selves.

In my work, I often have clients telling me things like 'They came in with neck and back pain but didn't expect to become happier people!' They have headaches for a year and after getting regular massage realize what their work is doing to them and they will quit their jobs and suddenly their headaches are gone. Writers with writers block can come in with neck pain and leave feeling inspired to write.

What touch and regular massage provide is more body awareness and the opportunity to get in touch with your feelings. Your feelings are what allow you to become more conscious. They tell you what your unconscious thoughts are about everything - relationships with the opposite sex, the meaning you have in your life, the work you do and the roles you play.

Clients can experience new aspects of themselves to open up to themselves and others and be more present in their lives.

Long held chronic tension can end up with the body actually going numb.

Getting regular massage is not a substitute for psychotherapy but another way to help you get in touch with those suppressed and repressed parts of you that will allow you to feel more alive. Working with a skilled psychotherapist and a massage therapist to overcome your feelings of depression, sadness, grief and pain can be a healing combination.

Please contact me for more information.