What is The Metamorphic Technique?
The Metamorphic technique has been carried forward by Gaston St. Pierre in recent years through the Metamorphic Association and his books. The latest being a Compendium of the Metamorphic Technique.
Robert St. John, a chiropractor was the first person to introduce the concept of Metamorphosis to his work. He noticed when treating children with severe learning and mobility difficulties that he could achieve the same results by working on the spinal reflex points on the feet, hands and head as when he could access the back.
This technique is beneficial to all, including pregnant women, children and those suffering from any form of physical illness or severe stress.
How does it work?
Our bodies, in the form of cellular memory, record all the impressions and events of our lives. Our survival instinct is so strong that some of these memories cause inhibitions which prevent us from realising our potential. We become shy or fearful, develop addictive behaviours, or become angry for apparently no reason. Practitioners also work on the prenatal and birth patterns as some of our responses are ingrained from the point of conception, patterns that may even have genetic or environmental influences.
Most people come for MT sessions when they feel that change is needed in their life.
Working on these reflex points, many different sensations and memories come up. Metamorphic practitioners do not take on the role of healer or therapist; they are there to act as a catalyst for your own self-healing by applying the technique and creating a safe environment for this to happen. Therefore this work is non-invasive and self-empowering.
What is it good for?
The whole ethos of this work is about creating change, helping people to release stuck patterns when they feel they just can’t get out a situation. It helps people who want to move on, bereavement, after a severe illness, emotional trauma, and divorce, and even less complicated things like moving house or starting a new job.
It is interesting to notice that stress related symptoms dissolve as the client starts to feel stronger within themself.
We do not combine Meta/MT with other therapies but if the client is drawn to seek out other options in conjunction with MT, practitioners support this process.
What happens during a treatment?
The Metamorphic Technique is completely non- invasive, there is no need to remove your clothes, simply shoes and socks.
Oils are not used, as this is light touch work. No case history is necessary. We work in the present and there is no manipulation involved.
The practitioner applies a light (not ticklish) touch to the spinal reflex areas on the foot. The principals of correspondence comes into play, this can be compared in some ways to the points used in Acupuncture; the practitioner simply allows their fingers to move continuously over given points which reflect different parts of the body, this releases patterns of behaviour or symptoms that no longer serve.
Approx: 20 minutes on each foot, followed by the hands and then the head.
How it may affect you after a treatment?
People tell us that they often feel very grounded and focused after a session. Others may go home and have a long sleep.
Others feel incredibly energised and creative.
It is your innate intelligence that guides the process. Sometimes the effects are subtle; some people report that the way they react to given situations changes, such as confrontation or difficulties at work, that instead of falling into the victim pattern, they start using their energy creatively to resolve the situation.
What are the 10 most commonly treated conditions?
Given the ethos of the Metamorphic Technique where the practitioner simply acts as a catalyst for change, we tend to work with situations rather than symptoms.
Having said that, clients often find that when the situation is resolved their physical health also improves or they start to make the necessary changes needed at that time to bring balance and harmony back into their lives.
a. Bereavement; Grief of any kind is hard to deal with; sometimes it takes a long time to get over the sense of emptiness and loss.
MT can be very helpful in releasing the shock, pain and sense of isolation that bereaved people experience.
b. Divorce; Any split in a relationship causes upset, sadness and anger. It is often so difficult to move through this process. MT is a non-invasive way of regaining our sense of personal power, the ability to cope alone and to move forward to the next stage of our lives with confidence.
This can also apply to children who are affected by the inevitable changes which occur if their parents go separate ways.
c. Moving House; This creates so much stress that it can take a long time to get settled into what is usually a new life; with different timetables, neighbours, travel and work. The Metamorphic Technique can really help during this time of re-adjustment.
d. Adolescence; The transition between childhood and adult years can be a challenging time for young people, often making them feel moody and angry.
The Metamorphic Technique is an effective way of working with these stresses without being invasive. The young person can sleep their way through the session if they choose too. It will still be effective.
e. Pregnancy & Birth; Sometimes becoming pregnant for the first time can feel overwhelming as a new mother faces initially changes within her body, but then also her life and relationships with others. MT sessions offer a means of integrating all these new experiences.
f. Menopause; As the hormonal balance changes, women (and also men too) often experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms and feelings.
Many people have found MT to be a good solution; giving access to more personal energy and stimulating the healing process.
g. Recovery; Effective for helping people through both post-operative and post traumatic stress. MT is also indicated for recovery from long term conditions for example chronic fatigue or stroke.
h. Lack of Confidence; Before taking an exam, driving, even giving a talk/presentation or starting a new job. MT can strengthen our connection with our core energy giving a sense of confidence and well being.
i. Learning difficulties; Children on the autistic spectrum and with Down’s syndrome benefit from the touch offered by this non-invasive approach often resulting in better communication and focussing.
K. At the end of life; Letting go can be hard. Nothing can more difficult than the thought of being diagnosed with a terminal condition leaving the ones we love and our own lives too. Often people are not strong enough to move physically in the final stages of life but still benefit from this gentle contact.
