Trager approach

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Mind–body interventions - edit
Stylized methods
NCCAM classifications
  1. Alternative medical systems
  2. Mind-body interventions
  3. Biologically based therapy
  4. Manual methods
  5. Energy therapy
See also

The Trager approach is a form of somatic education. Proponents claim the Trager Approach helps release deep-seated physical and mental patterns and facilitates deep relaxation, increased physical mobility, and mental clarity.[1][2] The founder, Milton Trager, called his work Psychophysical Integration. He was an athlete, dancer, and bodybuilder. He began doing bodywork with no training and later worked under a variety of practitioner licenses, including an MD earned in Mexico followed by 2 years residency in psychiatry.[3] Trager wanted western medicine to appreciate the mind-body connection in healing challenging conditions such as postpolio, Parkinson's, and other neuromuscular conditions. Doctors referred patients to him and were pleased with the results, but the medical approach to these conditions did not fundamentally shift away from medication and surgery as he had envisioned.[3] Late in life, at Esalen Institute, he was encouraged to begin teaching, which he did for the last 22 years of his life.[3]

At the beginning of a session, the practitioner enters into a state of meditation that Milton Trager originally termed "hook-up".[3] From this state of mind, the practitioner uses gentle touch and a combination of passive and active movement to teach the body how to move with less effort.[4] The contact is gentle in a sense; it may be quite firm but is without strain or resistance.[3] Regarding pain, Trager practitioners avoid causing pain, and attempt to contact the body in a way that allows the client to have decreased fear of pain and increased willingness to be present with the full range of sensations.[3] Practitioners are taught to allow a tone of curiosity, playfulness, and effortlessness to guide their work.[3] In addition to hands-on bodywork, clients are taught a series of movements called "Mentastics" to be performed with a certain mental attention. While doing these movements, the client is asked to explore how to move with the least tension and effort possible.[3]


  1. ^ Trivieri, Larry, and John W. Anderson. Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide. Berkeley, Calif: Celestial Arts, 2002.
  2. ^ Knaster, Mirka (1996). Discovering the Body's Wisdom: A Comprehensive Guide to More Than Fifty Mind-Body Practices. Bantam. pp. 178–81. ISBN 9780307575500. 
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Stillerman, Elaine (2016). Modalities for Massage and Bodywork (second ed.). Mosby. pp. 402–14. ISBN 9780323239318. 
  4. ^ Levine, Andrew (1998). The Bodywork and Massage Sourcebook. Lowell House. pp. 159–171. ISBN 9780737300987. 

External links[edit]

Official Trager International site