Bilateral Therapeutic Massage
Bilateral Massage means, simply, “massaging both sides.” But it entails much more than that and is in no way a new practice.
Bilateral Massage, also called Bilateral Stimulation, comes from the study of neuroscience. It works by following the structure of the brain and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The PNS is all the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord.
Originally, this was called the Tapping Technique when it was developed by Freud. He knew that all experiences are stored in the hypothalamus of the brain until sleep; then, during REM sleep, they are processed and stored as memory. Trauma, however, is often not processed completely, or is not processed at all. The problem with this is memories that are still in the hypothalamus exist in the present time no matter how long ago the event happened. The body reacts to these memories as though the event is current. Research tells us this is the most probable cause of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Pavlov also studies Bilateral Stimulation and learned that techniques using this were able to remove or “extinguish” unhealthy conditioned responses including those held in the body and the muscles.
Bilateral Massage works by stimulating both sides of the body, either simultaneously or alternately, and uses long, continuous strokes, which stimulate the sensory and motor nerves that run to the sensory and motor cortices of the brain.
The sensory and motor cortices span both sides (hemispheres) of the brain. The left side controls the right side of the body and the right side controls the left. Bilateral Massage integrates the sensory and motor parts of both hemispheres. This has several effects:
- Bilateral Massage draws memories from the hypothalamus into the rest of the brain for processing, where they can exist in the past instead of in the continuous present. That is why it is used to treat PSTD.
- Bilateral Massage allows space for creative and practical thinking to intersect by integrating the left and right sides of the brain. If you have ever noticed how many problems are solved in dreams (REM sleep is a bilateral activity) or during walking (also a bilateral activity), you can see how this works.
- Bilateral Massage, because it integrates the motor cortex, soothes the motor nerves of the body, which then allows the muscles to relax and ‘reset’ so they move back into the proper organization, tone, and function. Muscles held in tension are allowed to let go and relax. Many report improvements in balance, reflexes, and coordination.
- Bilateral Massage, because it integrates the sensory cortex, soothes pain and anxiety while decreasing nervousness and blood pressure. Many people report that their senses seem to function better and in a more integrated way. Many also state this is the most relaxing type of massage because it is composed of long strokes designed specifically to soothe and integrate nerve function.
- Bilateral Massage, because it integrates the motor and sensory cortices, leads the senses and the muscles into greater integration and co-function.
As you can see, Bilateral Massage is deeply therapeutic (the word comes from the Greek therapuo, which means “to heal”). We believe that the goal of massage is not simply to make the client feel good, though it certainly does that! We believe that massage, when offered by a knowledgeable and sensitive practitioner, can be deeply healing and balancing. Our hectic lives are frequently out of balance; Bilateral Therapeutic Massage can help us release lifelong traumas, heal neural pathways, and restore balance to our lives—all while providing a lasting sense of well-being.