Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/72103
For the Synergy study, a more comprehensive approach was anticipated to achieve lasting results. Key components of the program were dietary counseling, stress mastery sessions, Rosen Method bodywork, massage, personal fitness training, wellness and health guidance coaching, and independent exercise. Also included in the 12-week experience was a membership to the medical fitness center. Health education classes, meditation, yoga, and many other group exercise classes were offered to participants. Each individual's experience and components were customized to their identified needs. Frequent support, coaching, and contact were maintained by the RN program coordinator to allow early identification of roadblocks to progress and for encouragement toward the individual's personal goals. An integral part of this pilot program was a comprehensive health risk assessment (HRA) at the beginning and end of the program. The assessment included biometric measurements, blood pressure and resting heart rate, laboratory blood studies, and functional capacity measurement using the Duke Activity Status Index. The psychological assessment utilized the Beck Depression Index and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Quality of life was evaluated using the Dartmouth COOP Charts.5 The purpose of the HRA process was to establish a baseline to measure improvements, also enabling identification of key issues of focus for the individual participant. The unique results of each participant guided the custom design of their 12-week wellness program. ROSEN AND MORE Understanding the benefits of the mind-body wellness approach of Rosen Method and integrating it into the mainstream healing work of the traditional health-care community has been a slow but steadily progressing journey at the Synergy facility. In January 2007, as interest in the work grew, Rosen Method workshops were initiated on a bimonthly basis. Later, complimentary 15-minute sessions were also offered so that staff and members could experience a "taste" of the bodywork. The nine participants in the Executive Wellness Pilot Program were offered biweekly Rosen Method sessions of 50–60 minutes in length during their 12-week program. Most of the participants had no previous knowledge of this discipline, however each was willing to try at least one session to evaluate its benefits. During the intake interview, the majority of the participants reported they had busy and/or stressful jobs. After their first Rosen Method session, the participants seemed to experience varying degrees of relaxation. For some, their diaphragms relaxed, and their color became rosier; there was a sense of inhabiting their bodies in a new and conscious way as they shared their feelings and thoughts during the sessions. Afterward, some participants seemed astonished by their unexpected experiences and had many questions. With other participants, muscle tension eased moderately, their breath deepened and slowed, and they reported feeling refreshed and more relaxed. After the participants' initial session, four opted not to continue. This transformational work with its gentle touch does not, perhaps, suit everyone, or at least not at particular times in their lives. For instance, one of the participants presented with tension in his tensor fasciae latae, his hips, between his shoulder blades, his diaphragm, and his chest. When he completed the initial session, some general ease came into his body and he would occasionally allow himself to close his eyes. During the ensuing discussion, he said it wasn't a good idea for him to "melt his body armor" as he needed his competitive edge to do his Understanding the benefits of the body- mind wellness approach of Rosen Method and integrating it into the mainstream healing work of the traditional health-care community has been a slow but steadily progressing journey. earn CE hours at your convenience: abmp's online education center, www.abmp.com 61