Conditions Helped by Hanna Somatics
Many conditions that are commonly thought to be structural in nature, are functional, neuromuscular problems that can be prevented and improved with Hanna Somatics. When the brain forgets how to sense and control muscles properly, coordination, balance and proprioception is impaired and pain develops. Chronically tight muscles are the result of Sensory Motor Amnesia (SMA) a n habituated response to stress (accidents, injuries, surgeries, improper biomechanics, repetitive stress).
Examples of Sensory Motor Amnesia that can be eliminated with Hanna Somatics include:
- chronic back pain
- neck and shoulder pain
- sciatica
- hip joint pain
- frozen shoulder
- tension headaches
- TMJ
- herniated disks
- leg length discrepancy
- piriformis syndrome
- leg length discrepancy
- whiplash
- scoliosis
- knee and foot pain (plantarfascitis)
These conditions cannot be stretched away or manipulated away. Stretching can often cause muscles to become tighter, in effect, worsening your muscle pain. Medicines can block the pain but not address the root cause of your pain. Passive methods like chiropractice, and massage only confer temporary relief.
Hanna Somatics is not magic. It is education, which requires your participation and engagement in order to eliminate chronic muscle pain that has developed due to your unique responses to stress. We don’t fix people; we teach you to fix yourself! Creating new habits requires practice, just like any other skill. The slow, gentle Somatic Exercises we teach in classes and workshops, or in a private clinical session are movement patterns that reprogram your brain to muscle connection, create efficient movement and improve your self-awareness the more you do them. These movements are basic to all human movement – running, walking, reaching, bending. When you remember how to move without overly contracted muscles, your movement is more efficient and effortless and your pain disappears!
Contact Martha to find out about a Hanna Somatics consultation or book a private session.
Click here to purchase Martha's book or instructional DVDs.
Who Needs Pain Relief?
Anyone who's daily movement habits cause stress and muscle pain can benefit from Hanna Somatic Education. If you sit all day at your job, drive a car, have a job involving repetitive movement or stand on your feet all day, you can learn to prevent muscle pain that comes with poor posture, long term sitting and a high stress lifestyle. Muscle pain isn’t always age related. It develops due to your brain's response to stressful events, mental, physical or emotional. Even teenagers can develop back pain! Here is a list of people who have found pain relief with Hanna Somatics:
- office workers
- computer specialists, slouching at a screen all day
- those recovering from accidents or surgery
- dancers with numerous present or past injuries
- athletes of any age (including “weekend warriors)
- those who have suffered severe illness, like breast cancer survivors
- construction workers
- hairdressers
- factory workers
- medical professionals: doctors, nurses, dental hygienists – on their feet all day
- anyone who drives a lot
- mothers or caregivers carrying children all day
- gardeners
- package lifters and carriers
Contact Martha to find out about if Hanna Somatics is appropriate for you.
This website does not contain medical advice. It is intended for informational and educational purposes only and not for the purpose of rendering medical advice. It is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment because of something you have seen on this website.
Learning Center Resources
“If I could, I would put Somatics in the hands of every neurologist, internist, nurse, psychophysiologic therapist and clinical psychologist in the country.”
- Elmer E. Green, PhD - The Menninger Clinic
“I cannot begin to describe what a difference that first Somatics session and the exercises you gave me have made. I felt a immediate improvement the next day and every day I continue to improve. Even my yoga practice has been positively affected.”
- D.M. - Bergen County, NJ
