Biodynamic Massage
What is Biodynamic Massage?(see also massage article)
Biodynamic massage uses touch to help restore the natural self-healing mechanisms of the body. Whilst this may involve working to release specific tensions, its major focus is to help you regain the power to heal yourself. It does this by seeking to discover the quality of touch that you need at that particular time.
How does the Biodynamic Therapist decide what methods to use?
Biodynamic therapists use a stethoscope to listen to the sounds of the digestive system – these sounds, together with other body language such as breathing, muscle-tone, skin colour, small twitching muscular movements, let the therapist know how you are responding on a deeper level to his/her touch. The biodynamic therapist is in constant dialogue with you on a body level – adapting his or her touch moment-by-moment to your specific and unique needs.
How does Biodynamic Massage differ from other forms of touch therapy, eg. Remedial Massage?
Biodynamic Massage will help you find out for yourself what and how you create tensions and imbalance – it seeks to restore your capacity to be in charge of your own bodily life.
It differs from Remedial Massage in that it works to uncover the underlying and often unconscious causes of your tension – Remedial Massage can sometimes be more effective in the short-term for relieving pain due to muscular tension whereas Biodynamic Massage is more likely to help you change the patterns that create these tensions in the longer term.
How many sessions are needed?
The effect is cumulative and, whilst even one or two sessions can be of some benefit, most people find that is usually takes at least five sessions on a weekly basis to begin to experience the power of this approach.
In what cases would you recommend Biodynamic Massage?
As Biodynamic Massage works to find the most appropriate touch in each particular case, it is likely to be helpful to most people in the hands of a sufficiently well trained and experienced practitioner.
In cases of injury, illness, or acute pain, however, it is advisable to see a medical practitioner, osteopath, or chiropractor for a diagnosis in the first instance. Biodynamic Massage is not a substitute for medical or clinical treatment .
As emotional issues often surface as a result, it would be unwise for anyone but a trained Somatic Psychotherapist to use this form of therapy.
Biodynamic Massage is especially helpful in cases of emotional “flooding” (ie. when more toxins are released into the bloodstream than the body is able to eliminate at that given time).
Also in cases of trauma, stress, digestive problems, back pain, headaches, and other stress-related problems.
History and Training
Biodynamic Massage was developed by Gerda Boyesen, a Norwegian Physiotherapist and Clinical Psychologist. Gerda moved to London in 1968, where she set up The Centre for Bio Energy to train therapists.
Donald Marmara trained for four years in London at the Gerda Boyesen Centre, and has thirty years experience.