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Polarity Therapy -- Questions & Answers by Nancy M. Turcich, NTS, RPP, RPE

What is polarity therapy?

Simply put, polarity therapy is a holistic healing modality that addresses body energetics.

What is energy?

Physics refers to energy in terms of positive energy: "protons", neutral energy: "neutrons", and negative energy: "electrons". Opposing magnetism attracts while similar magnetism repulses. This is easily demonstrated with two magnets when the north pole faces the south pole and when the north pole comes in contact with the north pole respectively. Neutral energy represents balance.

How does this apply to the body?

Every cell in the body contains a proton, a neutron, and an electron, therefore, every cell contains energy. The body is a physical entity that is energy-based.

How does this apply to polarity therapy?

Given that every cell contains an energetic field, the polarity therapist is trained to look beyond the physical body and its limitations. The energy system courses through the body and beyond its physical barriers into what is referred to as an aura or an energy field which surrounds the body.

What is the history of polarity therapy?

Dr. Randolph Stone, a doctor of chiropractics, osteopathy, and naturopathy, developed the polarity therapy theory and application in the mid 1900s. After questioning why chiropractic adjustments were not stabilizing his clientele, he looked to the east for answers. It was there he discovered age-old systems: Ayurveda (India) and Acupuncture (China). Close study revealed that these two sciences were based upon the energetics of the body. However, it took western society nearly half a century to catch up and acknowledge that energy does indeed flow through our bodies. This came to light due to computer technology, and the ability to track the movement of energy in the body. Five thousand year old energy techniques were finally accepted by most western skeptics in the late 1900s.

When Dr. Stone administered polarity therapy to his patients, he quickly discovered dramatic improvement to their health. For many years he struggled to get his colleagues to understand the wonder of energy, especially in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Needless to say, western medical doctors did not embrace energy therapy. In turn, a great deal of controversy was created around Dr. Stone’s work. He pursued his passion for energy work in the United States. After being disappointed by less than enthusiastic patients, he relocated to India. There he continued to apply polarity therapy to a more receptive audience. He lived out the rest of his days in India, passing away in his ‘90s.

What are the benefits of polarity therapy?

To better understand the benefits of polarity therapy, let’s look at an example. Most people contend with discomfort in their necks and shoulders. Knots tend to occur when tension is held in the structure. As the muscle tissue binds together, the energy does not freely flow through the area. If left untreated, the tension becomes hard and limits mobility in the neck and spine. Polarity therapy employs a variety of techniques to guide the body into releasing tension as well as blocked energy.

The therapist is simply releasing trapped energy, they are not giving their own energy to the client. A good analogy of the therapy process involves a garden hose. When the hose is free of kinks, the water (energy) flows freely through the hose (body). However, if the hose is squeezed (muscle tension), the flow of water (energy) decreases. When the hose is twisted enough, the current of water trickles or stops. The water is still circulating through the hose, it is just stuck behind the kink (energy blockage). When the hose (muscle) is unkinked, the water flows freely once again. By manipulating the physical body, the energetic body changes, and by changing the energetic body, the physical body heals.

How would a bodyworker benefit from learning polarity therapy?

No matter what modality the therapist practices, knowing the inner connections of the energy system increases the potency of the session. Polarity therapy allows the therapist options to either directly apply touch to the body or to work above the body. For clients that are in pain, this is a particularly advantageous. The various connections polarity therapy provides gives a therapist countless ways to approach pain and discomfort in the body without sending the client into a defensive mode. If the body does not have to defend itself, it can trust in the process and it will respond graciously by relaxing. The polarity therapist does not force the body into moving a certain way, but allows the body to demonstrate the best way to release built up stress. A trained polarity therapist follows the body down the path of health through the movement of energy.

How would a bodyworker benefit from receiving polarity therapy?

In order to be an effective bodyworker, a person needs to know their own body patterns and health. Receiving therapy is highly valuable to those administering therapy. Being on the table instead of being over the table affords the therapist an opportunity to feel what their clientele has been fortunate enough to experience. Tuning in to the body in this way nurtures the system and allows the therapist an opportunity to dive deeper into their own healing. Additionally, the therapist is only able to take a client as far as they have gone in their process. This means if the therapist has only touched the surface, that is all they are able to tap into with their clientele. However, if the therapist has experienced therapy on a profound level, they can assist clients in obtaining similar results. Of course, personal growth and healing is the only incentive anyone needs.

For more details about holistic therapy and Nancy’s experience with healing refer to her book "Finding My Way From Paralysis To A Rich, Full Life." 

Reproduction of articles are permitted by Nancy M. Turcich, NTS, RPP, RPE, author and holistic bodyworker, with acknowledgments and credentials included. www.naturalmassagetherapy.com

For further information or questions, please contact Nancy @ Natural Massage Therapy at 928-717-1251, nmt1@naturalmassagetherapy.com .

All articles are for informational/educational purposes only. This information does not take the place of current treatment plans nor medications prescribed. Always consult your physician to determine the most beneficial course of treatment for your individual needs.

Disclaimer: All of the material provided by naturalmassagetherapy.com is for educational purposes only. This information does not replace medication nor present treatment programs. Please consult medical personnel if you are presently under a physicians care, if you are taking medication, or need additional medical care.