Hellerwork

A combination of deep tissue massage and "movement reeducation," Hellerwork is advocated by its practitioners for a variety of problems related to muscle tension and stress. It is said to relieve respiratory problems, sports injuries, and pain in the back, neck, and shoulders. Like most forms of bodywork, it has undergone little in the way of scientific testing; but many of those who've tried it say that it helps.

Hellerwork therapy consists of a series of eleven sessions aimed at helping you get in touch with different parts of your body and the emotions that affect it. The first Hellerwork session, for instance, focuses on the chest, seeking to release unconscious tensions that interfere with easy, natural breathing. To accomplish this, the practitioner will engage you in a discussion designed to draw out any emotional attitudes that may be impeding normal movement.

Therapy then moves on to the feet and arms, followed by the "core" muscles deep in the body. At each step, the practitioner uses physical manipulation of the tissues to help release built-up tensions. In the final session, the practitioner endeavors to pull all the work together, fashioning a better understanding of the relationship between mind and body.

Treatment Time: Each session lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Treatment Frequency: The interval between each of the eleven Hellerwork sessions can vary.

An off-shoot of the deep-tissue massage therapy known as Rolfing, Hellerwork was developed by Joseph Heller, a NASA aerospace engineer. Like Rolfing, Hellerwork holds that tense, stressed muscles eventually lose their flexibility, throwing the body out of vertical alignment. Once this abnormal tension is banished, the theory goes, the body can return to its proper alignment, producing a general improvement in well-being.

Hellerwork treatment begins with an exploration of the way the body works and how emotions can help...or interfere. As you begin to comprehend these forces, treatment progresses to physical release of muscular tension and retraining in healthy movement and posture. Through practice in the proper ways of sitting, standing, walking, running, and lifting, you learn how to use your body more efficiently while eliminating unnecessary stress. The practitioner may take "before and after'' videotapes to show you the specific aspects of your posture and movements that need to be changed and, then, to demonstrate how treatment is progressing. As your body becomes more flexible, you should begin to feel more limber and relaxed.

The deep muscle massage encountered in Rolfing and Hellerwork is not advisable if you have cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, or any other inflammatory condition.

No side effects have been reported. Remember, however, that no full-fledged studies have been done.

There are more than 300 practitioners trained in the Hellerwork approach.

Unlike some forms of therapy that threaten to go on without end, Hellerwork is over after eleven sessions. Even so, if you experience severe or worsening muscle pain during the course of the treatments, it may be advisable to quit before the end.

Before you begin therapy, consult a doctor to make sure that there's no dangerous medical problem underlying your symptoms. If Hellerwork fails to relieve the symptoms, or makes them worse, see the doctor again.