Body Awareness in Survivors of Trauma
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Top Contributors - Naomi O'Reilly, Jess Bell and Nupur Smit Shah
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Body awareness, defined as a treatment directed towards an awareness of how the body is used in terms of body function, behaviour, and interaction with self and others, [1] is an approach often used within rehabilitation for individuals with persistent or complex pain.
Using the mind-body-spirit connection,[2] individuals have been shown to develop a more positive experience of their body and selves through reflection of their bodily experiences, which is explored in rehabilitation through two dimensions; [3]
- the experience dimension, which looks at the the experience of the body
- the movement dimension, which examines the actions and behaviour of the body in movements and activities. [4]
Basic Body Awareness Therapy is a therapeutic method used in the rehabilitation mainly for patients suffering from long-lasting pain and/or psychosomatic/psychiatric conditions (Gard, Citation2005; Gyllensten, Ekdahl, and Hansson, Citation2009; Gyllensten, Hansson, and Ekdahl, Citation2003a; Citation2003b; Malmgren-Olsson, Armelius, and Armelius, Citation2001; Mattsson et al, Citation1998; Roxendal Citation1985). It has been shown that patients through their bodily experiences and reflections can develop a more positive experience of their body and selves (Gyllensten, Hansson, and Ekdahl, Citation2003b; Malmgren-Olsson, Armelius, and Armelius, Citation2001; Mannerkorpi and Gard, Citation2003; Mattsson et al, Citation1998; Sjödahl, Jarnlo, and Persson, Citation
2001).
Body awareness therapies aim to normalise and restore posture, breathing, balance, and muscular tension, which are experienced and visible in the movement behavior
Citation2005; Gyllensten, Hansson, and Ekdahl, Citation2003a; Löfgren, Citation2006; Malmgren-Olsson, Armelius, and Armelius, Citation2001; Mattsson et al, Citation1998; Roxendal, Citation1985). The meaning of bodily symptoms has to some extent been studied in physiotherapy. This phenomenon can be understood as a dialectic process between being /living in the body and becoming aware of one's lived experiences. The awareness of the body can make it possible to understand the relationship between bodily symtoms and life experiences for patients with musculoskeletal disorders and pain (Rosberg, Citation2000).
Rehabilitation Professionals Understanding of Body Awareness[edit | edit source]
Use of Body Awareness in Clinical Practice[edit | edit source]
The importance of body awareness therapy for health has been established for different patient groups (Gard,
As a Whole Body Treatment[edit | edit source]
To Promote Balance and Stability[edit | edit source]
To Teach About the Body and How to Practice Movement[edit | edit source]
To Coach Coping with Pain and Anxiety[edit | edit source]
To interact with the patients in a therapeutic approach[edit | edit source]
Sub Heading 3[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Gard G, Nyboe L, Gyllensten AL. Clinical reasoning and clinical use of basic body awareness therapy in physiotherapy–a qualitative study?. European Journal of Physiotherapy. 2020 Jan 2;22(1):29-35.
- ↑ Mehling W, Wrubel J, Daubenmier J. Body awareness: a phenomenological inquiry into the common ground of mind-body therapies. Philos Ethics Humanit Med. 2011;6:6.
- ↑ Gyllensten AL, Ekdahl C, Hansson L. Long-term effectiveness of basic body awareness therapy in psychiatric out-patient care. A randomised controlled study. Adv Physiother. 2009;11:2–12.
- ↑ Roxendal G, Winberg A, Dahlström A. Levande människa: basal kroppskännedom för rörelse och vila. Natur och kultur; 2002.
