flow, form, heal…

Rhythmical Massage Therapy

“The hands are the most formative, the most sensitive of our living tools. They can change very much in the course of life. Soul and spirit that permeate them in training not only form them, but flow beyond into the world as objective power of love, as blessing, as healing forces.”
— Dr. Margarethe Hauschka
 
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Rhythmical Massage Therapy had its origins in the 1920’s through the impulse of Ita Wegman, a physician who was also trained in physiotherapy and Swedish massage. She worked closely with Rudolf Steiner to establish a clinic in Switzerland for the practice of anthroposophical medicine. It was at this clinic that Ita Wegman applied the spiritual scientific understanding of the human being to Swedish massage.  Joined there by Dr. Margarethe Hauschka, the two collaborated for twelve years to further develop this new approach to massage therapy, which Dr. Hauschka later called “Rhythmical Massage as indicated by Dr. Ita Wegman”. It was practiced by massage therapists and nurses in anthroposophical clinics and Camphill communities as these spread throughout Europe and the Americas. In 1962 a professional training course for Rhythmical Massage Therapy was established in Bad Boll, Germany by Dr. Hauschka.

 

Some specific indications for Rhythmical Massage Therapy are:

  • Stress and anxiety

  • Sleep disorders

  • Headaches and migraines

  • Muscular tension, strain and injury

  • Back pain

  • Allergies

  • Cancer

  • Immune and auto-immune disorders

  • ADD and ADHD

  • Developmental disorders and disabilities

  • Behavioral health disorders

  • Failure to thrive

  • Frail constitution

  • Eating disorders

  • Digestive disorders

  • Hormonal imbalances associated with menstruation and menopause

  • Degenerative disorders of the nervous system

  • Cardiovascular disorders such as angina, hypertension and venous insufficiency

  • Respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema and asthma

Bringing Renewal to the Art of Massage Through Spiritual Science

Rhythmical Massage Therapy as indicated by Dr. Ita Wegman is a gentle, harmonizing massage that helps awaken the self-healing forces within each individual to promote optimal health. Through specific massage movements on the body the Rhythmical Massage Therapist addresses the relationship between the body, soul and spirit by working with the life supporting forces of warmth, rhythm and breathing, the interplay of levity and gravity as well as center and periphery. The archetypal forms of line, circle and lemniscate are a basis for the massage movements. The selection of forms, the sequence of the treatment and the quality of touch are individualized to create a unique treatment plan for each client. Careful listening with head, heart and hands is the essential guide to the art of this work.

Rhythmical Massage Therapy is applicable in the treatment of acute and chronic health needs. It is applied medically, as well as supportively for individual constitutions, life transitions, specific illnesses and recovery from illness.

Rhythmical Massage Therapy can be given during pregnancy, in caring for infants and children, and in caring for elderly and individuals approaching death.

The North American Rhythmical Massage Therapy Training: The program consists of 6 sessions, each 3 weeks in length

Visit the RMTA website for more information and details about the Rhythmical Massage Therapy Training:
rhythmicalmassagetherapynorthamerica.org