The Art of Therapy

Respecting the Art of Therapy

Is there more to treatment than just reading a book and applying a technique?…….

The predominant world view in western culture is ‘scientific’. Within this paradigm, testing and measuring the efficacy of different disciplines and techniques are of utmost importance. This is a very useful and practical enterprise whereby we can reliably make predictions and have consistent results. The appeal of this view is that we can have categorical understanding and reliability. Obviously there are baseline knowledge and skills required with any type of therapy, which are necessary to reliably heal people

BUT!!!……..

If we get carried away with this perspective we can become overly focused on the technical details and lose sight of the more artistic elements. There is a danger of becoming overly robotic and systematised. Treating people like objects to apply routine knowledge straight from book to person, and not respecting the softer and artistic elements which are so critical to the end result.

‘PEOPLE AREN’T ROBOTS!!!’

Artistic components may include elements such as:

- the intention you have in your treatment
- the energy you hold,
- how the practitioner applies different methods
- Your level of presence
- Attending to the words people say and how they’re vocalising
- Attending to the subtle body language of the client.
- Your level of trust and connection.
- Attending to the individual differences of the client.
- Level of acuity in the situation.

These softer elements can be more difficult to objectively observe and quantify. It makes sense that these softer elements aren’t discussed as much at university, because they are not as clear cut. It’s not as easy to pin down, quantify, explain or teach.

So a topic that may initially seem woo woo or too esoteric for the more scientifically minded person is actually a very practical and necessary component of therapy that is largely neglected in the mainstream.
At Melbourne Muscular Therapies, we respect the art of therapy that can make a treatment more enjoyable and more effective.

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