Reichian-Myofascial Release Therapy is a new healing modality which combines two proven, successful treatments for pain: Reichian psychotherapy, which treats the causes of emotional pain, and myofascial release physical therapy, which treats the causes of physical pain. Reichian psychotherapy is a proven psychological protocol that utilizes both conversation and body work to resolve emotional trauma. Myofascial release is a highly effective form of physical therapy that uses physical manipulation techniques to unwind and release tissues distorted by trauma. The Bernstein Institute's method of Reichian-Myofascial Release Therapy produces unprecedented results, without the use of drugs.
Bodies distorted by trauma abound in symptoms such as uneven shoulders, misaligned hips, stiff necks and backs, tense jaws, and shallow breathing from tight chests. Until recently, it wasn't fully appreciated that these symptoms could be the result of both emotional as well as physical trauma.
Although Reichian psychotherapy often includes some elements similar to physical therapy (such as cranial-sacral manipulation), these techniques fall short of the comprehensive full-body approach of myofascial release physical therapy. Reichian-Myofascial Release Therapy is unique in that combining both therapies achieves results unobtainable when the protocols are employed independently.
Reichian-Myofascial Release Therapy sessions combine counseling with myofascial release techniques and unwinding, the latter consisting of gentle, physical manipulation of the twisted fascia while the therapist slowly and continuously guides the patient's body to unwind. Patient feedback is essential to the treatment. The patient's body often spontaneously suggests the ways it wants to release tension and return to its natural state. Since unwinding the fascia also releases memories of past emotional trauma, the patient experiences relief that leads to emotional as well as physical healing.
Reichian psychotherapy and myofascial release physical therapy, used independently, are extremely effective in bringing the patient a depth of healing that would never be attained by simply analyzing or verbalizing. Yet, when the two practices are combined, the results are even more extraordinary, and through continued application of the combined therapies, patients improve dramatically. When the old emotional material is finally released the patient becomes "unstuck" and experiences a new openness and vulnerability. At this point of transformation, the Reichian verbal and analytic psychotherapy takes on a major role in the healing process. The therapist, through experience and insight, helps the patient gain perspective, and - thanks to the myofascial release therapy - the depth of healing is much greater.
For more information, please read "What is Integrative Psychotherapy?" on the Integrative Psychotherapy tab, or download a copy of Dr. Bernstein's paper, "Reichian-Myofascial Release Therapy for Deeper Emotional and Physical Healing".
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