About Energy Massage (Polarity Therapy)

Polarity is based on a theory that energy flows through the body along five predictable pathways, and that this flow can be affected by the placement of therapeutic hands at specific points to correct disorders or imbalances. It has been hypothesized that cells in the body have negative and positive poles that are involved in this flow of energy. Polarity therapists believe that the clockwise flow between the positive and negative aspects of the body's electromagnetic field must be in balance and flow freely to maintain health. The spinal column is thought to have five neutral energy centers (ether, air, fire, water, earth), with each of these areas corresponding to bodily functions. Practitioners aim to access a patient's energy using palpation, observation, and patient interviews. Polarity shares some principles with the yin-yang concept in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the chakra system in Ayurvedic medicine.

Polarity providers believe that maintenance of good health requires free flow of life energy through the body, without areas of excess or depletion. Polarity therapy uses four different approaches with the goal of balancing life energy: body work, nutrition, exercise, and counseling. A session may consist of bodywork treatment and a combination of work in the other three areas. An overall goal of the polarity approach to health and well-being is to give clients multiple tools to use in maintaining a balanced way of life. Responsibility and self-esteem are often encouraged.

Polarity treatment often begins with a detailed consultation and case history. The client may lie on a treatment couch in underwear or light clothing, and the therapist may use physical manipulation techniques and apply pressure to points on the body. Three levels of touch are used: light, medium, and deep, which are theorized to stimulate the neutral, positive, and negative fields.

Sessions usually take 60 to 90 minutes.

Duration of treatment may vary, but one session per week for up to eight weeks, with occasional follow-up treatments to maintain health, may be suggested. Polarity yoga consists of a group of simple exercises with the intention to relax, ease pain, cleanse, improve muscle tone, or energize patients. Postures use gentle rocking and stretching movements combined with vocal expression.

Please contact us to set up an appointment at (623) 583-6570.