Norwegian psychomotor physiotherapy and embodied narrative identity

One of the things I've learnt quickly in getting this Critical Physiotherapy Network going, is that there is actually quite a lot of really interesting, ground-breaking philosophical work going on out there but it's not breaking through into mainstream physio practice.  As I've said before, in my job I'm fortunate to have access to databases of journals, e-alerts, and the like, but I still hardly knew anything about the work going on in Scandinavia, for instance.

Some of it is quite outstanding, but be honest, how many of you knew about Norwegian Psychomotor Physiotherapy?

Over the last few weeks I've been talking to a few of our colleagues in Norway, Denmark and Sweden and finding out more about their work.  There is a strong tradition of phenomenology in Scandinavian physiotherapy, including this thesis by Randi Sviland which is well worth looking at if you are interested in hermeneutic of bodies and movement.

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to explore and develop the theoretical underpinning of Norwegian Psychomotor Physiotherapy (NPMP). In the first part (Paper I, II & III), the theoretical grounds for this physiotherapy treatment approach are analysed from their historical origin. The theoretical assumptions derived from this were used to analyse patients’ experiences in the second part (Paper IV & V). Thus, theoretical assumptions were illustrated and challenged from a clinical perspective raising new questions, which demanded further theoretical extensions.

The theoretical part is based on hermeneutic text analysis using the methods of investigation of sources. Texts written by the Norwegian psychiatrist Trygve Braatøy, a primary source for the theoretical assumptions in NPMP, were analysed in the light of Løgstrup’s philosophy of sensation. In Paper I the functional meanings of muscular actions emerge as ambiguous in interdependent tension between posture and movement. NPMP emerges as a treatment involved with the existential challenge of withholding and expressing oneself. Paper II explores how muscular tension, sensation, awareness and understanding interact. Paper III elaborates on the embodied foundation of expressing oneself in everyday language.

The first clinical study, a case study, explored the experience of one patient’s 10 yearlong treatment processes. Analysis of enacted narratives emerging during these clinical situations revealed the significance of a narrative perspective. They pinpointed the meaning of time, in relation to muscular tension, posture, movement, sensation and understanding, as aspects of narrative identity.

The narrative perspective was further expanded in the second clinical study, which was based on focus group interviews, exploring how patients make meaning of their experience with NPMP. When explored in relation to narrative genre, NPMP emerged as a journey of transformation where time and trust are foundational. Embodied changes are associated with narrative identity and finding one’s own voice, as well as the urge to speak out and reflect on significant experiences of the past. It is a process, which seems to challenge peoples experience and concepts of control.

This thesis opens up a theoretical underpinning, where the comprehensive perspective in NPMP is seen as an embodied treatment affecting the tension between the spontaneous, interwoven presence of life and, the distancing function of the individual person’s existential struggle to become him or herself. Muscular, postural and respiratory transformations, the essential issues in NPMP, emerge as processes which involve patients’ narrative identity on an embodied sensuous level. The notion of control is challenged in these processes where trust emerges as essential, and each patient’s cycle of treatment will be of different lengths. Embodied transformation of muscular and sensuous traces of past experiences may evoke reminiscences, which demand to be expressed and, open speech requires attentive listening. NPMP is understood in the light of an existential journey of transformation, with a potential vitalising capacity.

Thanks to Jens Olesen for the link.