Movement Therapy
Rhythmic vibratory movements and gentle guided changes in posture that help a client to gain awareness of how they are holding their tension. More…
The Finger Lakes School of Massage teaches a synthesis of movement therapies called “kinesthetic awareness through movement” or KAM. KAM is influenced heavily by the work of Milton Trager, but also includes bits of Alexander technique, Feldenkrais, and Aston patterning. Movement therapies include rhythmic rocking movements, gentle postural balancing while standing or sitting, and looking at simple movements such as walking and guiding a client to make helpful changes. The goal of movement therapies is to help the client to gain awareness of the their own postural imbalances and improper body use, and how these may be causing unneeded stress and strain.
As the client gains awareness of their holding patterns, they are guided through letting go of the pattern and finding an easier posture. When included in a session with deeper massage styles the client learns how to let go from the inside out, as the therapist helps them let go from the outside in. As an added benefit, the client learns how to keep the realigned structure that deeper work brings by applying the newfound kinesthetic awareness to the patterns of their daily lives. While deep massage styles are often the most direct way to provide relief to clients in chronic pain, clients who can also learn how to change their patterns from the inside out are much more likely rid themselves of chronic pain in the long term.
