Synergy Somatics

A good place to start is with; what is a soma? it is the Greek word for ‘ the living body in it’s wholeness’ and I think that is a good way to sum up Somatics, in its essence it is the education of using the body synergistically.

Somatic education teaches a person how to relieve pain through movement of the body and understanding that by one muscle group over-performing or working harder then the rest of the muscular system on a regular basis, it can create sensory motor amnesia (SMA).

Sensory Motor Amnesia occurs when a muscle is so tight and contracted that there is limited elasticity and movement left which results in;

The sensory neuron which feels the muscle , can no longer sense fully because;

The motor neuron which moves the muscle can no longer move it fully

So with little to sense and little to move, it creates an amnesiac state resulting in limited mobility and pain.

When we repeat a pattern of movement or a reflex, such as moving a computer mouse for a large percentage of the day, or perhaps using the thumb to scroll on your phone, then this can create an habituated muscle pattern that can create SMA.

You will notice SMA show up as back pain, hip pain, leg pain, sciatica, tension headaches (if the neck is strained) pain in shoulders, elbows, plantar fascilitis, pinched or trapped nerves, scoliosis, poor or restricted joint movement....the list goes on.

Likewise, trauma to the body through an accident, injury or surgical procedure will also cause SMA.

By using somatic movement and making it part of your daily routine, the brain can re-set, remember and begin to re-connect to these tight muscles to restore the freedom of movement that was lost and alleviate aches and pains.