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Biodynamic Therapies Biodynamic therapies (biodynamic massage therapy and biodynamic psychotherapy) are the brainchild of a Norwegian, Gerda Boyesen, a physiotherapist and clinical psychologist who had exemplary powers of observation and who underwent analysis by Ole Raknes, a follower of Wilhelm Reich (the so-called father of body psychotherapy, whose theories and practice developed from those of Freud). In Norway, it is not unusual for psychiatric patients to receive physiotherapy, and Boyesen became interested in the autonomic nervous system reactions which could occur following deep muscle work on this patient group, including cold shivers and sweats, accompanied by memory recall and emotional expression and followed by significant symptom relief. She was also fascinated by the fact that tummy rumblings during sessions seemed to have therapeutic benefits, and started to use an extended stethescope to listen to peristaltic sounds. She went on to further develop her own techniques of bodywork and to create accompanying theories and psychotherapeutic techniques which, whilst originating from conventional medical practice and being consistent with those of Reich, are nevertheless unique. The term ‘biodynamic’ refers to the life ('bio') force or movement ('dynamic'), but those practising in a biodynamic manner work not only with energy, but also with structure – in common with zerobalancing. Boyesen’s understanding of ‘armouring’ (the term used by Reich and his ‘descendents’ - Lowen, Pierrakos and others - to denote the way in which bodily tensions developing as a result of our personal history restrict the flow of energy and thus the expression of our personality) is not confined to the musculature. Hence her term tissue armouring, a full understanding of which interconnects structure and held energy with fluid movements and psychoperistalsis, the term used for the perceived role of the gastro-intestinal tract in literally ‘digesting’ the remnants of unexpressed impulses and emotions. Another important biodynamic concept is that of encouraging the primary personality, that innate part of us which is in touch with our life force and does not withdraw or hold back, but can live spontaneously in a way consistent with our instincts and impulses. “There is a natural joy in life, a euphoria, that is also practical and pragmatic. It is grounded” wrote Boyesen. This is in contrast to the secondary personality, which is “more neurotic and has no independent well-being but is dependent on others and things outside for satisfaction and gratification … although the energy is there, it does not flow through the body tissue easily, as it tends to be congested by waste material, and restricted by body tensions; the organic manifestations of neurosis.” Biodynamic massage is a therapy in its own right, but is also one of many interventions made within biodynamic psychotherapy, one of many forms of body psychotherapy – therapies based on an embodied relationship in which the client is encouraged to experience themselves not just ‘in their head’ but to follow and explore their bodily sensations and impulses … body psychotherapies do not necessarily include touch, though many do. The nature of the exact boundary between biodynamic massage therapy and biodynamic psychotherapy is a much debated one, however suffice it to say for now that biodynamic psychotherapy involves much more than just massage, the training is much longer and necessitates participation in personal therapy during training, and clients will generally engage to a significantly deeper extent in their personal process and will come for a longer period of time (2-5 years, sometimes longer; anyone going for biodynamic massage therapy will be asked to commit initially to 5 or 6 sessions at weekly intervals, but will likely continue well beyond this initial series). Biodynamic massage uses a wide range of techniques or ‘strokes’ which are put together in a manner appropriate to the individual client, moment to moment; for this reason, every session is different. Biodynamic massage is not only useful for physical ailments but is also so effective at working with people’s psychological state – hence its use within psychotherapy; the various techniques not only work on different layers (aura work, skin, connective tissues, muscle and bone) but also have differing effects on a client’s emotional state (helping for example to ‘ground’, to ‘contain feelings’, to lighten up any sense of emotional oppression or to free up the armouring in order to facilitate the experiencing of one’s emotional life). Because it is so good at ‘kick starting’ a client’s psychological process, with release of repressed memories and feelings, and because the client’s background and psychological state tend to be incorporated into the therapist’s understanding of even an apparently solely physical problem, anyone like myself offering biodynamic massage therapy is required to be in supervision, preferably with a body psychotherapist with experience of working with biodynamic massage. Vicki Martin, April 2004 |
