What is Hellerwork?
Hellerwork therapy is a type of bodywork that is designed to realign the body's natural structure to obtain overall health, improve body posture, and reduce physical and mental stress. It was developed by aerospace engineer Joseph Heller in the 1970s.
How Does Hellerwork Work?
Hellerwork therapy is a series of 11 therapy sessions involving deep tissue bodywork. It aims to release unwanted tension and posture from the body which allows for new possibilities in sense of freedom, flexibility, movement and general wellbeing. Hellerwork releases the accumulated rigidity existing in the deep connective tissue, called fascia, using its three main components, to restore the body's normal function and alignment to create an increased sense of vitality.
The three main components of Hellerwork therapy, namely deep connective tissue bodywork, movement education and self-awareness dialogue, are designed to help bring the person and their body to a more optimal state after having been exposed to various factors that rendered it vulnerable such as ageing, strain, injury, and repetitive and poor movement habits.
- Deep Connective Tissue Bodywork releases the tension that currently exists in the connective tissue, and helps systematically return the body to an aligned position.
- Movement Education helps a person to become profoundly aware of their body and their movement patterns, and therefore discover an easier and fuller way of moving.
- Self-Awareness Dialogue helps a person to become more aware and responsible for how their feelings, thoughts and beliefs affect their posture and the overall health of their body.
What Are the Benefits of Hellerwork?
Hellerwork is a holistic approach to improving one's overall health and wellbeing. Not only does it focus on aligning and balancing the physical body, but it also improves the mind, emotions and spirit.
The Hellerwork therapist sees physical pain and restriction in body movement as a manifestation of mental, emotional and spiritual patterns that are deeply rooted in the client's connective tissues. Releasing these patterns allows the latter to become fully aware of their body and change the way they move to avoid the negative impact of emotional stress on their health, increase their energy and stamina, and be able to breathe better. The Hellerwork process can help with various conditions, including:
- Poor body posture
- Chronic pain
- Muscle tension
- Sports-related injuries
- Stress and stress-related problems
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Tendonitis
- Arthritis
- Whiplash
- Headaches and migraines
- Frozen shoulder
- TMJ
- Sprained ankle
- Joint pain
- Plantar fasciitis
- Pinched nerve
What Can You Expect From Hellerwork?
A Hellework session usually begins with the practitioner obtaining the client's health and lifestyle history. The former may take photographs to compare the client's body posture before and after the treatment, which is performed on a massage table. As this type of bodywork focuses on the alignment of the body, the client is advised to be in their undergarments or sports underwear during the session.
Hellerwork consists of 11 sessions, each lasting 60 to 90 minutes. The session will focus on a specific area of the body and the corresponding emotion related to that area. The practitioner will perform soft manipulation techniques and educate the client on how to properly stand, sit and walk without causing strain to their body.
Hellerwork practitioners often use "guided verbal dialogue" to help their clients address their emotions that affect breathing and lock muscles.
Is Hellerwork Safe?
There have been no reported serious side effects linked to Hellerwork since its inception. People of all ages can benefit massively from this modality, so long as it is carried out by a professionally trained practitioner.
