BODYWORK AND AGGRESSION

These days aggression is too highly regarded or viewed as acceptable.  This holds true in the realm of our culture, our politics, and even in our treatment rooms. How many clients and therapists claim “the deeper the better,” some even weirdly saying, “You can’t hurt me!”

The tragic tendency toward aggressive treatment comes from lack of faith in the client’s self-healing capacity. It then places too much responsibility of the therapist for the client’s outcomes.

It is nature that largely does the healing – your client is  the “healer”.  When we forget that, we are making a big mistake 

Prioritizing the least pressure possible that is effective is often a better solution both for client and therapist.

Many of us have indeed learned that if the person’s nervous system does not relax they will not relax!  Relaxation and inner peace are experiences which proceed from the inside out – it barely matters how much pressure is applied. Studies have shown it is the safety and trust in the therapeutic relationship that is the best predictor of positive therapeutic outcomes. 

Have faith in the science that tells us this. Have faith in your client’s ability to let go! It may be more complex to say we need to find ways to affect the nervous system, rather than the muscles – but it’s the truth.  Communication with the nervous system (or “energy” if you prefer) through touch works.  As Rolfers have said, we are engaged in “somatic education”, not really soft tissue manipulation.

“It’s the forcing that you have to avoid at all costs.” – Ida Rolf
 

IDA P. ROLF