My BodyTalk Journey

I first discovered BodyTalk in 2019 when friends and family began sharing stories about their experiences with a local BodyTalk practitioner, Conor McElduff.  They all spoke excitedly about how Conor seemed to intuitively pick up on issues, many of which they weren’t even aware of themselves.  This really intrigued me, and I was keen to learn more. 

In my practice, I typically work with clients dealing with specific issues like anxiety, phobias, or trauma, and I generally treat these successfully using a combination of CBT, Hypnotherapy, or Havening. Sometimes, however, people reach out to me because they feel stuck in their lives but can’t quite figure out why, and I instinctively felt that BodyTalk would help them.

And so I began a fascinating journey with BodyTalk. The training was both challenging and thorough. I took my first Fundamentals course with Martina Fallon in Ireland and later with Charlotte Neilsen in England.  After completing fifty case studies and a written exam, I was thrilled to finally become a Certified BodyTalk Practitioner on Aug 5th 2024.

Since then, I have integrated the BodyTalk system into my range of services and never cease to be amazed at the effectiveness of this profound and powerful system.

What is BodyTalk?

BodyTalk is a holistic healthcare system developed by Dr. John Veltheim in the 1990s. It integrates concepts from both Western and Eastern medicine to create a comprehensive approach to healing that addresses the body, mind, and spirit. The underlying philosophy of BodyTalk is that the body has an innate ability to heal itself, and that by re-establishing communication within the different body's systems, this healing can occur more naturally and effectively.

The BodyTalk System is a form of natural healthcare that can be used as a stand-alone system, and also integrated with other modalities in health and preventive care. It recognises and addresses all sides of the human being: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, hereditary, and environmental.

Key Aspects of BodyTalk

Scientific Understanding

BodyTalk practitioners use their knowledge of anatomy and physiology to understand the body's physical and biochemical processes. This left-brain aspect involves logical, analytical thinking, often rooted in the principles of Western medicine.

Structured Protocols

The system has a specific protocol chart and questioning procedure that practitioners follow. This structured approach is methodical and systematic, aligning with the left-brain's preference for order and predictability.

Intuitive Guidance

In BodyTalk, practitioners use muscle checking, a form of biofeedback, to intuitively assess which areas of the body or mind need attention.

Holistic Awareness

BodyTalk emphasises the interconnectedness of the body's systems and the mind-body-spirit connection. The right-brain approach is evident in the way practitioners consider emotional, mental, and energetic factors alongside physical symptoms.

Innate Wisdom:

BodyTalk operates on the principle that the body has an inherent wisdom that knows how to heal itself. The goal of BodyTalk sessions is to facilitate the body's ability to access this wisdom and direct healing where it is needed.

Quantum Medicine and Energy Dynamics:

The modality draws on principles from quantum physics, which views the body as a dynamic system of energy fields. Imbalances or blockages in these energy fields can lead to physical, emotional, or psychological issues. BodyTalk seeks to correct these imbalances by restoring harmony in the body’s energetic networks.

Communication:

The central idea of BodyTalk is that the body’s systems communicate with each other. Every cell in the body must be in communication with every other cell in the body for us to maintain health. Although the body knows best how to heal, when communication breaks down within the body due to stress, trauma, and genetic traits, that ability to self-heal becomes compromised. When this communication is disrupted, health issues arise. A BodyTalk practitioner works to re-establish and enhance this internal communication.

Non-invasive Techniques:

BodyTalk uses gentle, non-invasive techniques such as tapping on specific points on the body. These techniques help to synchronise the body’s systems and promote healing. The practitioner may also use muscle testing or neuromuscular feedback to identify areas of imbalance.

Holistic Approach:

BodyTalk considers all aspects of an individual—physical, emotional, mental, and environmental. It integrates knowledge from various disciplines, including traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, Western anatomy and physiology, psychology, and quantum physics.

Personalised Healing:

Every BodyTalk session is unique to the individual, focusing on what the body’s innate wisdom prioritises for healing at that moment. There are no standard protocols; the treatment is entirely customised to the person’s needs.

Mind-Body Connection:

BodyTalk emphasises the interconnection between the mind and body, recognising that mental and emotional factors can significantly impact physical health. By addressing both mind and body, it aims to achieve more profound and lasting healing.

Applications of BodyTalk:

BodyTalk can be used to address a wide range of health issues, including chronic pain, stress, anxiety, emotional trauma, digestive disorders, allergies, and more. It is often used as a complementary therapy alongside conventional medical treatments.

A BodyTalk Session

Certified BodyTalk practitioners are trained to use structured intuition, neuromuscular biofeedback, which is similar to applied kinesiology, and a variety of non-invasive techniques to help re-establish better communication within the body and refocus your body’s natural healing response.

What might seem like an obvious problem to you is not necessarily the one your body needs to have addressed first. Each session is completely individualised for each person.

Every choice, and every experience in your life, has contributed to your current state of health. Each scar, laugh line, and injury has it’s own story. BodyTalk takes into consideration your unique story. Your life-style, genetics, and history are all drawn upon to establish a personalised approach to healthcare that brings about lasting changes. and then apply the appropriate balancing procedures.

BodyTalk is seen as a safe, gentle, and effective method that can be used by people of all ages and conditions, aiming for not just symptomatic relief but overall wellness and balance.

What is a Distance BodyTalk Session?

A distance BodyTalk session is basically the same as an in-person session. Instead of the session being done in person, however, it is facilitated from a distance. Oftentimes, the appointment will be conducted by phone or a video conference service such as Zoom or Skype.

Both clinical experience and client feedback have shown that distance BodyTalk sessions can be just as effective as sessions done in person. In addition, a peer-reviewed research study focusing specifically on distance BodyTalk sessions was published in the Journal of Pain Management published by Nova Publishers demonstrating the effectiveness of distance BodyTalk in helping people suffering from chronic pain, depression and anxiety. Additionally, Certified BodyTalk Practitioners and their clients have observed noticeable improvements in all aspects of health--physical, mental, emotional and spiritual--using distance BodyTalk sessions. If you're interested in reading more about distant healing, one good resource is the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) www.noetic.org

Do I need to believe in BodyTalk or Distance Sessions for them to work?
You do not need to believe in distance BodyTalk sessions for them to work. However, believing in them and keeping an open mind definitely helps. Think of your mind as a receiving station for information. If your mind is closed, resistant or highly doubtful, it will be less receptive to the energy of the session. But if you keep an open mind and acknowledge that anything is possible then your mind will be more receptive to the session and therefore more likely to experience greater benefits.

I provide in-person sessions in my cosy therapy room in Northern Ireland and offer distance sessions worldwide via Zoom.