THE TRAGER® APPROACH

The Trager approach was developed over a 50 year period by Milton Trager, MD, former dancer, boxer and physician in private practice who began teaching his work in 1977.  The Trager approach can be beneficial for people with a wide range of conditions, such as everyday aches and pains, poor posture, limited movement and muscle spasm and pain associated with injury.  It can also be great for the pure enjoyment of it.  There are two parts to the Tragerapproach: Table work and Mentastics®.

1. Trager® Tablework (or bodywork)
With the client lying on the treatment table, the practitioner lifts each body part and with gentle rhythmic rocking and stretching, coaxes the muscles into letting go.  The gentle motion to the muscles and joints produces impulses which enter the central nervous system and begin to trigger tissue changes by means of the many sensory-motor feedback loops between the brain and the muscle and joint structures.  Throughout the session, the practitioner nonverbally encourages the client to experience and incorporate the sensation of muscular "lightness" and freedom of movement.

2. Trager Mentastics®
The Trager practitioner also prescribes movements called "Mentastics", which are designed to further the client’s awareness of muscular flexibility and relaxation.  Trager Mentastics can be taught individually or in a group and can be very helpful toward integrating mind/body awareness skills into everyday life.  Trager sessions may last anywhere between 50 to 90 minutes.  If under the direct supervisor of a physician or licensed physical therapist, insurance reimbursement may be possible using physical medicine CPT codes.