Description of a Session
A Trager® session usually lasts from 60 to 90 minutes. The client lies on a comfortably padded table wearing loose clothing. The practitioner moves each part of the client’s body in a gentle rhythmic way, using these smooth wave-like movements to create an experience of the body as a unified and co-ordinated whole. Various types of movements are used during a session, such as rocking, swinging, elongating, soft compressions and others. These movements are gentle and slow, always working within the person’s comfort range to encourage greater length, expansion, freedom, playfulness, and ease of both body and mind. If the client is not able to lie supine on a table, the session can be adapted to the sitting or side-lying position.

Mentastics® sessions are usually done after the table work but may be done before a session as well. This series of effortless and playful movements are used to re-enforce the learning from the table work and help to integrate these new patterns into everyday life. Dr. Trager felt this was the most important part of the session: the opportunity to strengthen new patterns of lightness, length, ease, pleasure and flow on a daily basis in order to deepen them and support a “new way of being” in one’s body and one’s life.

Course of Treatment
The number of recommended sessions is based on the goals of the client. These can range from learning strategies to improve chronic pain syndromes such as neck and back pain, generalized stress and tension, performance enhancement in the arts such as dance or playing a musical instrument, sports performance, and psychological/spiritual goals including greater self awareness, self acceptance, connectedness, openness and peace.

It is often suggested that a minimum of three sessions be received. This will allow for effective input of new sensory and movement experiences and time for practice in integrating them into daily life. At that point the client and practitioner can assess the benefits of the approach for the client and discuss future goals if appropriate.

Side Effects
The Trager® Approach is a learning process, not a medical treatment or therapy. It is a series of lessons that slowly opens up new possibilities of movement, feeling and approaching one’s life. Because movements are gentle and always performed within the area of comfort and safety for each client, no pain or strain should be experienced. There are no known side effects.

Safety Issues
As always, working with a qualified practitioner is the key to effective and safe treatment. The Trager® Approach, whether the table work or Mentastics®, should always be done gently with no force or strain. In fact, the learning comes from asking questions such as “what could be lighter, easier, freer?” If any pain or discomfort is experienced, that movement should be discontinued immediately.
There are some conditions, however, in which the work should not be done. This includes active inflammation, thrombosis, early post-surgery, the first trimester of pregnancy, and possibly cancer.

Other Modalities That Work Well With This Approach
The Trager® Approach can be used to support other therapeutic approaches where increased awareness and relaxation, lessening of effort, strain and tension, and enhanced mobility and flexibility would be of benefit.

Content last modified on Sep 4, 2003