By Larry Walker


If it moves, then it is alive. This is the principle behind movement based treatment. This form of therapy has its origin in the East and has been perfected in the West. It is used to promote spiritual, emotional, mental and physical well-being. Motion therapy is a popular medical alternative when dealing with lower back pain.

Some of the obvious benefits of this form of therapy include enhancement of spasm and body posture, assistance in releasing muscle spasms and improving the flexibility of the body. As scientists study human motion and its impact on general well being, areas of improvement have been made to boost effectiveness. They include integration with mediation to produce better results.

There are eastern and western motion practices depending on personal preferences and intended results. Tai Chi and Qigong fall into one cluster of eastern movements. They are preferred by the elderly because of their precarious nature. They have been credited with improving relaxation and restoration of body functions. Their ability to significantly reduce the intensity of pain has increased their uptake. This reduction also comes with mood improvement.

Yoga is also an east based movement therapy option that has psychological and physical components. The emotional aspect of yoga which allows the patient to cope with the distress, decrease stress, regain control of self and be tolerant to pain is what has increased it popularity. The motions focus on the back and can be supported by props to increase flexibility and range. You might require the guidance of a professional to achieve the extreme moves.

Western motion therapy lays greater emphasis on improvement of psychological stability. This has seen the inclusion of aspects that target flexibility of the body, improvement of self esteem, boost on self image and awareness of motion. The aim is to make movement deliberate other than habitual. This takes time, practice and attention. It will distract the mind from thinking about the pain.

Correct movement is a remedy for pain. This is what Alexander technique focuses on. The technique advocates for re-education on the need for deliberate motion which comes with mental and physical awareness. There are dysfunctional motion techniques that are strenuous to the body. Researchers have given this approach thumbs up. It has been proven effective in dealing with stress and lower back pain for pregnant women.

Feldenkrais approach is anchored on the principle that every move the body makes has an alternative. The right choice of motion progression will therefore put little stress on the body. This is a re-education based therapy that has a preventive aspect. The idea is to adopt the right movements to relief current pain and avert future pain. This can only be achieved through awareness of the right alternatives.

The Trager approach focuses on muscle release and holding paying attention to the mental and emotional patterns involved. This makes it an appropriate remedy for back pain. As scientific studies continue to evaluate these methods, their applications are providing a worthy solution at no cost. There are no special resources or props required to effect these motions. Further, absence of medicines and chemical compounds means that there are no side effects.




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