For Physicians
Hanna Somatic Education (also known as CLINICAL SOMATIC EDUCATION) is a rapidly effective method of sensory motor training that goes directly to the root cause of most chronic muscular pain: the brain and the way in which it senses and controls the muscles and movement. We teach people to reverse chronic muscular pain conditions that develop from the brain's habituation to stress reflexes, injuries, surgeries or on-going stress.
Hanna Somatic Education is Sensory motor retraining. When the sensory motor system is improved, biomechanics, posture, gait, balance, flexibility, awareness, energy level, and breathing improve as well. For senior citizens, those recovering from injury, and when all diagnostics point to muscle tension as the basis for pain, improving sensory motor function cannot be overstated. Improved proprioception has been linked to improved balance and fewer falls in senior citizens, fewer recurring injuries in athletes and improved mobility.
The hands-on clinical work offers some of the most rapidly effective techniques and long term results available in dealing with chronic muscle pain, muscle tension, and postural dysfunction. Hanna Somatic Education is a highly effective complement to medical care.
The movement practice, an integral part of the Somatic Education approach, teaches self-care skills and techniques that help patients reinforce the progress they make in each clinical sessions. This self-care program fosters self responsibiity and participation in their own recovery as they begin to experience a lessening of their muscle pain. Hanna Somatics is a cost effective alternative to drugs, and surgery for those patients whose muscles and movement are restricted and painful.
Hanna Somatics addresses the condition of Sensory Motor Amnesia (SMA)
SMA is the condition of chronically contracted muscles that have become habituated and involuntary within the central nervous system. It develops in response to accidents, injuries, surgeries, repetitive stress and on-going emotional stress. The end result of sensory motor amnesia is diminished sensory awareness and motor control, poor posture, and limited joint mobility.
Examples of Sensory Motor Amnesia that are effectively addressed with Hanna Somatic Education:
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Thomas Hanna’s clinical research and experience showed that our sensory motor system loses voluntary control of sensation, muscles and movement in response to accidents, injuries, surgeries, physical compensation, and emotional stress. This creates a state of habituated muscular "forgetfulness." Through deliberate and specific attention to reversing reflexive patterns of muscular habituation common to all humans, patients can improve sensory awareness and proprioception, balance muscles and reverse harmful compensatory movement habits. Symmetrical posture is also restored, even in cases of scoliosis (especially when caught early on).
Click here to read about the neurological foundations of Hanna Somatic Education techniques.
Click here to learn more about our clinical methods and private, hands-on clinical sessions.
The three stress reflex patterns of muscular contraction are the body's neuromuscular adaptation to sustained stress. Because the body moves as a synergistic whole, the methodical targeting of these stress reflexes teaches one to rapidly and efficiently reverse acute muscle pain more effectively than by simply targeting one muscle group or body part.
Re-setting habitually contracted muscles is most effectively achieved by addressing the connection between the brain and nervous system. Hanna Somatic Educators are able to teach clients to rapidly reverse muscle tension and habituation through the use of the "pandicular response." This action occurs in the nervous system and gives sensory and motor feedback to the brain in order to re-set the muscle length and tonus. Click here to read about pandiculation.
Traumatic injury or surgery creates sensory motor compensation and the need to adapt to a sudden change in circumstances. It can adversely affect one’s gait and overall movement. Hanna Somatics is highly effective in teaching patients to regain a smooth gait and fluid, efficient, and coordinated control of the muscles of the trunk, pelvis, and core. Referring patients for Hanna Somatics can save healthcare dollars in the long run while teaching a patient to take responsibility and control of his or her body.
Hanna Somatic Education can teach your patients to reverse chronic muscular pain patterns in between 3-6 clinical sessions.
Most of my clients have come to me after having spent hundreds and often thousands of healthcare dollars, only to realize that their problem was a lack of awareness of their muscles and movement. Many approaches demand that patients go for up to 20 sessions before any long term relief is expected. By addressing the connection between the CNS and the muscles, habituated pain patterns and muscular dysfunction can be reversed rapidly and effectively. Why? Because the only person who can improve the sensory motor system and relax involutarily contracted muscles is the patient him/herself.
If you have a patient who isn’t responding for the long term to the best medical care you can offer, they may be suffering from Sensory Motor Amnesia.
You may call Martha at 973-951-7845 to discuss your patient’s case. Martha will follow up with you about your patient and his/her progress.
Hanna Somatic Education is not covered by medical insurance. All sessions of Somatic Education are subject to sales tax in New Jersey, unless prescribed by a physician. Prescriptions for Hanna Somatic Education are under the category of “Neuromuscular Re-education.”
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
View a Case Study
- No More Chronic Back Pain
- A Competitive Runner - Back and Better Than Ever
- Sciatica - Off Painkillers, To Her Doctor’s Amazement
- Scoliosis and Pregnancy Doesn’t Have To Be Painful
“Hanna Somatics offers a scientifically sound method for the diagnosis and treatment of a whole range of complaints that frequently present as medical problems, such as fibromyalgia, pain syndromes and fatigue”
- William Hanson, MD - Professor of Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
“The longer you train, the harder you compete and the higher you strive..the more you need Martha Peterson. Somatics is, without question, the simplest, fastest way to literally "forget" and overcome training errors. ”
- Dan John, strength coach and author of Never Let Go
“Martha's workshop in London was a brilliant way for me to introduce Somatics to friends. Once you understand the science behind the exercises and feel the benefits...there really is no turning back. Life-changing.”
- Paul French - Writer, London, England
