The BodyTalk System was developed in the mid 1990s by Australian chiropractor and acupuncturist, Dr. John Veltheim. Drawing on his knowledge of chiropractic medicine, acupuncture, yoga, applied kinesiology and modern physics, Dr. Veltheim created a novel, integrative approach to holistic healing. Instead of focusing merely on the symptoms experienced by clients, BodyTalk seeks to address the root cause.
BodyTalk practitioners seek to address the needs of the entire person, including body, mind, and spirit. The approach is used to rebalance or resynchronize the body’s energy systems so the individual can function optimally. While BodyTalk is most often used with people, it can also be used on animals and even plants.
Basic Principles of BodyTalk
BodyTalk is based on the idea that everything in the universe is linked. This principle also applies to the body, wherein each cell, organ and body part exists in constant communication with every other cell, organ and part of the body. Much of this communication takes place via a system of energy pathways in the body. It is believed that when these channels of communication become compromised, an imbalance develops and symptoms begin to appear. This compromise may result from issues such as physical injury, illness, emotional stress, trauma, or food additives.
A second principle of BodyTalk is that the body has an innate ability to heal itself. The role of the BodyTalk practitioner is simply to tap into the body’s natural wisdom, aiding the body in identifying and correcting any malfunction in its energy system.
What Happens in a BodyTalk Session?
A typical BodyTalk session lasts between 15-45 minutes. At the start of the session the practitioner will speak with the client about their health and any issues that brought them to treatment. After this assessment is complete, the client will recline in a chair or on the treatment table as the practitioner conducts neuromuscular biofeedback using the client’s arm.
Neuromuscular biofeedback, a type of muscle testing that is similar to applied kinesiology, helps the practitioner to establish Yes/No communication with the client’s body. By using this technique the practitioner is able to ask the body which communication channels have been weakened and the specific order in which they should be corrected or “tuned” for optimal healing.
To accomplish this tuning, the practitioner holds the point of the body that has an imbalance while gently tapping the client’s head, followed by the sternum. Tapping on the head is thought to stimulate the brain, which then signals the body to repair the defective connections and balance itself. Tapping on the sternum is believed to help the heart to store the memory of the newly re-established connection.
Many people experience symptomatic relief after just two or three sessions. Clients usually lie face-up on a massage table and remain fully clothed. However, they are encouraged to wear loose-fitting clothing and may be asked to remove jewelry and belt buckles.
Benefits of BodyTalk
BodyTalk is considered a quick, safe, and effective means of improving a person’s overall health, energy, and well-being. It can be used with just about anyone, including pregnant individuals, newborn babies, young children and the elderly. While the approach is completely safe and gentle, clients may experience detox symptoms for a day or two after their session as the body works to restore a state of balance.
BodyTalk has been used in conjunction with other forms of therapy to help individuals experiencing food and eating issues. It may also used to relieve stress, allergies, headaches, emotional issues, and fatigues, while improving mood and physical balance.
A major advantage of the BodyTalk approach is clients do not need to talk about the concerns they are currently experiencing. A skilled BodyTalk practitioner is able to use neuromuscular biofeedback to quickly locate areas that are out of balance and reestablish the body’s natural lines of communication to promote improved health. This protects clients from having to recall or consciously address issues that may be particularly embarrassing, complex, or painful.
References:
- BodyTalk your health. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.bodytalk.com.au/what-is-bodytalk
- Brown, L. (2009). What is BodyTalk? Retrieved from http://www.bodytalkmatters.co.uk/bodytalk_what_is_bodytalk.html
- Crilly, L. (2012). Hope with eating disorders. London, United Kingdom: Hay House UK.
- FAQ. (n.d.). BodyTalk Central. Retrieved from http://www.bodytalkcentral.com/faq.php
- Huesmann, L. (2013). Dancing in the shadows: Flying from fear and guilt into a rainbow sky. Victoria, Canada: Trafford.
- International BodyTalk Association. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.bodytalksystem.com/learn/bodytalk/session.cfm
- Smith, A. E. (2010). How to unbreak your health: Your map to the world of complementary and alternative therapies (2nd ed.). Michigan, USA: Loving Healing Press.
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