"Somatic Bodywork is a conscious and compassionate method of addressing chronic physical problems as experienced in the body. It is similar to traditional bodywork and massage therapy because it uses many of the same techniques and methods. The main difference is lies in the therapeutic approach used to resolve those physical problems."

With a Somatic approach to bodywork, the body is not an "object" that needs to be "worked on", but rather a body to be "worked with". Too often, the standard therapeutic approach is to treat the body as a "marvelous machine" that is needs to be "fixed". This approach most often falls short in its goal of correcting postural distortions and painful patterns of movement. This approach views the client as someone who is unable, unknowledgeable, or incapable of correcting or changing problems that arise from within their body. Someone (the therapist) must do it for them or to them.

The primary focus of the Somatic approach to bodywork is not to alleviate the pain, but rather to eliminate the cause of the condition from the body. By teaching a someone "why" a particular problem exists in their body, the therapist can teach them "how" to eliminate the condition from their system. Sometimes, the "how" is so utterly simple once the underlying condition is identified.

In choosing a Somatic approach to address physical problems, the work becomes collaboration between therapist and client. This partnership is one in which the therapist both coaches and follows the client's lead (feedback) in releasing muscles and tissues that have been distorting and restricting movement and causing pain. I often remind my clients "You are inside your body, and I am not". They are encouraged to become an active partner in discovering and helping correct the source of the discomfort and pain. Ultimately, it is the person receiving the work who knows best if the method or technique is effective or not.

The role of the Somatic therapist is one of facilitation and collaboration, coaching and helping, teaching and listening. The therapeutic approach is to help remove the barriers that hinder full recovery, whether it is tense restricted tissue, psychological issues, or a combination of both.

Bodywork and therapeutic massage techniques - such as deep tissue massage, myofascial release, Swedish massage, and stretching -- are used to help reduce muscular restrictions, reduce stress and tension, and lay the groundwork for change to occur.

Somatic Bodywork and massage therapy is only a part of the solution. Increased awareness and understanding forms a critical component in healing and provides us with the opportunity to assume responsibility for what is occurring within our body.