Martha Peterson - Move Without Pain

Martha Peterson is a Certified Hanna Somatic Educator who has worked for three decades in the field of movement. She is a former professional dancer, and has a BA in Dance Education and professional certification in Hanna Somatic Education from the Novato Institute for Somatic Research in Novato, California. She teaches Hanna Somatics both privately and in group classes, both in her studio in Maplewood, New Jersey, and internationally. She works with people of all ages who suffer from chronic pain and disability due to back, neck, hip, and shoulder pain, scoliosis, TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder), Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and repetitive use and sports injuries. Martha is an avid hiker and traveler, and lives with her family in Maplewood, New Jersey.

Awareness isnt something that happens in a vacuum. Self-awareness teaches us how to navigate life, overcome adversity, and move to the next stepif we pay attention, that is. We develop self-awareness through our interactions with others, which also hopefully sheds light on our motivation, our core values, and what really matters to us. We often achieve our goals only because the people who care about us nudge us, push us, and even annoy us to such an extent that we finally take action. I am deeply grateful to many people for having been such a catalyst for me.

I could not have written this book without the support of my special friendsthose who could have given me twenty reasons why I shouldnt write a book but didnt. Instead, they stood by to help in any way they could. Thanks to them all, including Ed Myers, who jump-started this project and listened with enthusiasm as I, a nonwriter, explained my idea for this book. His generosity in sharing his knowledge took the fear and angst out of the entire process.

Thanks also to my teachers Marilyn Warnock and Karen Hewitt, who taught me everything they learned from Thomas Hanna, holding nothing back. They helped me to become the practitioner that I am today. Thanks to Ed Barrera, who worked with my sister many years ago. Had it not been for his excellent work, I might never have been exposed to the work of Thomas Hanna when I needed it most. Chris Lowndes helped improve this book with his careful reading of my first draft and his constant reminder to keep it simple, stupid! Hes always there with humor, to challenge my brain with new ideas and new ways of thinking, moving, and creating. Thank you to Frank Forencich for his insights into how to be primal, practical, and playful. Thank you to my mother, Meg Peterson, whose example keeps me on my toes and inspires me to never stop moving.

Many thanks to those at Sterling Publishing who made it all happen, including Jennifer Williams and Michael Fragnitowhat a nice bunch of people! Thank you to Edward Ash-Milby of Barnes & Noble, and to Barbara Clark for her manuscript editing.

Finally, thank you to members of my tribe: Louise Vitello, for her enthusiastic support of somatics; Cheryl Galante, for keeping me thinking big; Carrie Day, for teaching this important work; my sister, Cary Peterson, for having told me about Hanna Somatics many years ago; Natalie Galante, for her photography; and my husband, Gary Shippy, who gave me a shot in the arm and some excellent feedback when I most needed it. Thank you all.

STERLING and the distinctive Sterling logo are registered trademarks of
Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.

2011 by Martha Peterson
llustrations 2011 by Natalie Galante

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher.

ISBN 978-1-4027-7459-1 (paperback)
ISBN 978-1-4027-9087-4 (ebook)

Book design and layout: tabula rasa graphic design

For information about custom editions, special sales, and premium and corporate purchases, please contact Sterling Special Sales at 800-805-5489 or specialsales@sterlingpublishing.com.

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Medical disclaimer: Information contained in this book is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. The reader is encouraged to consult a physician before beginning any new regimen of movement. The author and publisher expressly disclaim any responsibility for any unforeseen circumstances resulting from the use of any information or instruction contained in this book.

To Thomas Hanna,
whose insights have changed my life

We live in the twenty-first century, in a developed country that is obsessed with the importance of an attractive body and rigorous physical exercise. Never before has the United States seen such a proliferation of personal trainers, gym memberships, fitness TV shows, innovations in exercise equipment, and books on staying young. Just go to your local bookstore and check out the section on personal fitness. The selection is daunting. Moreover, the vast majority of us do not begin the quest for a healthier life with a full understanding of how the body, muscles, and mind can work together in order to produce the best results. We need a clear and practical method for reconnecting our minds with our bodies so that we can eliminate pain and improve our overall health.

Despite the popularity of exercise, fitness books, and diet programs, the fact remains that there are increasing numbers of people, both young and old, complaining of chronic muscular pain. Painkillers take up entire walls of the local drugstore, catering to myriad new pain symptoms that crop up seemingly daily. Younger and younger amateur athletes and weekend warriors wind up in the doctors office suffering from muscle strain as well as overuse and overtraining injuries. Their desire to be fit and active is well-intentioned, but their techniques are apparently doing them more harm than good. I hear more and more people saying Its probably just my age when discussing their pain. Much of this pain is preventableand reversiblewhen one understands the physiology behind many common cases of chronic pain and what can be done to end it.

According to a 2008 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the cost of treating back pain alone has risen to $85.9 billion! More disturbing was the accompanying quote by a health policy expert from the University of Washington: We are putting a lot more money into this problem and not seeing any improvement in health. Why is this? Is it that back pain and other kinds of muscular pain are really so mysterious, or are most people looking for the solution without having first asked an important question: How do muscles become tight in the first place?

This book is about unlocking the mystery of muscular pain. It is based upon the discoveries of Thomas Hanna, PhD (19281990), who combined his expertise in philosophy, movement education, and neurophysiology to create Hanna Somatic Education (also known as Clinical Somatic Education). As a philosopher, he understood that humans have a capacity for intellectual freedom. As a movement educator, practicing the work of Moshe Feldenkrais, he understood that humans have an ability to become more self-sensing and in control of their lives. His studies in neurophysiology taught him about brain reflexes and the role the brain plays in creating muscular patterns of contraction. Hanna wrote six books, including