Massage Therapy & Bodywork	Aromatherapy & Essential Oils	A-Z of Sports Injuries	Massage Article Archive

Trager Massage

Tragger Approach

Trager is a gentle yet profound approach to bodywork which releases patterns of tension in the mind and body through nurturing touch and free-flowing movement. These patterns might have developed due to poor posture, and even poor movement habits. Trager® is a neuromuscular re-education/movement therapy.

Trager consists of two parts:

Mentastics (active aspect) and a Table Session (passive aspect)

Mentastics

Mentastics is a word coined by Milton Trager and his wife to mean,mental gymnastics, gentle, self-directed movements that enhance the value of a table session.the practitioner directs the patient in movements that seek to find ways of re-creating the experience on the table, as well as collaborating with the patient in addressing movement needs in daily life.

Table session

A table session allows the pratitioner to connect with the client on the deepest levels of consciousness and through gentle, non-intrusive touch, play along the meeting point of restriction and freedom.the patient reclines on a massage table. The work consists of very gentle rocking, shaking, vibrating, and tractioning.

How does it work?

Life is movement. When you are hurt, sick, or stop movement for other reasons, the neural circuits that operate your body become less effective, through loss of practice. Too much, too little, or unbalanced muscle tension can result. Gentle rhythmic movement of your comfortably supported body gives your functional mind sensory information about where your body parts are and how they feel and move. Muscle tensions are automatically adjusted and your mind is calmed as endorphins (natural brain neuropeptides, as in runner's high) specific to a pleasurable body state are secreted. You move with more ease and efficiency because of your improved body-mind connection.

The Session

A single session usually lasts from about one hour to one hour and a half. No oils or lotions are used and the client is dressed for their comfort, with a minimum of swimwear or briefs. Sufficient clothing can be worn by the client to feel comfortable.
.During a Trager® session the patient will be invited to lie on a padded table in a comfortable and safe environment. At the beginning of the session, the practitioner will enter a state of awareness called "hook-up" which is similar to meditation.The patient will then be guided through movements such as rocking, traction and compression — taking the joints through a range of motion, always within the patient’s own comfort zone. In an atmosphere of serenity, touch and movement are used to communicate to your mind the feeling of a freer and easier way of being and moving. Your body is supported and gently moved within its pain free range of movement and natural rhythm. As the mind and body yield to these soft movements, tension disappears and new movement patterns become possible.

The receiver will also be given an opportunity to learn Mentastics® which are gentle movements used to creatively recall the feeling of lightness, space and elongation that was experienced during the table session.

The Trager approach has been reported to ease or help manage a wide range of conditions including:

back and neck pain

stress

everyday aches and pains

limited movement

muscle spasms

headaches

poor posture

depression

physical or emotional trauma

multiple sclerosis

cerebral palsy

post polio syndrome

Parkinson's disease

sport and other injuries

carpal tunnel syndrome

fibromyalgia

Who can benefit from Trager?

Trager is used by people in all walks of life. Professional people in challenging jobs use Trager to manage stress levels.

Performing artists and sports people use Trager to maintain suppleness and help improve performance.

The Trager approach can achieve excellent results for people with a wide range of conditions such as back-ache, sciatica, poor posture, and restricted movement. It has also helped people with more serious conditions.

Trager is of great value as part of a health care programme.Many people have sessions for pure enjoyment..

Clients benefit from a single session, but as many of the benefits of Trager are cumulative, a series of sessions is recommended.