The Feldenkrais Center Practice

Pain is a message that something is wrong.

Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists long after a reasonable period of healing is expected. However, our body parts may not need to be replaced, fixed or medicated when they "break." Have you tried chiropractic, physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, pills, injections, even surgery and experienced less than ideal results? With the Feldenkrais Center of San Diego approach, many painful conditions can be relieved quickly and painlessly. Feldenkrais addresses the way the body functions and returns it to a more optimized state. 

Feldenkrais pain relief treatments at The Feldenkrais Center of San Diego are based on the work of Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, an Israeli physicist and engineer. His novel approach to pain relief and disability uses our nervous system's capacity for self-organizing and self-regulating, a process called neuroplasticity. People can learn to improve the quality of their actions, thus creating new movement possibilities.  Improving movement quality and effectiveness allows the body to function more efficiently. This efficiency creates environments for chronic pain and injuries to heal, and opportunities for athletes and others to excel.

Most Feldenkrais pain relief treatment sessions are based on developmental movements and routine functional activities, e.g., reaching, bending, lying to sitting, and turning. Other sessions are based on more abstract explorations of joint, muscle, and postural relationships. There are endless possibilities for learning, and Feldenkrais Center treatments vary in intention and complexity, and are personally tailored for all levels of movement ability.

What will my first Feldenkrais Treatment be like?

Your first Feldenkrais Center of San Diego session will last 60-90 minutes. Bring or wear comfortable clothes. Tight workout clothes, as well as dresses for women, are discouraged. After reviewing your new patient information form with you, Dr. Lori Malkoff, MD, MPH will design a specifically tailored strategy using the Feldenkrais Method to relieve your specific pain symptoms. You will receive both hands-on Feldenkrais work, as well as perform gentle Feldenkrais exercises yourself with direct supervision. 

If you prefer to improve your abilities more quickly, Feldenkrais Method homework in the form of gentle pain relief audios or videos will be given to you. Your Feldenkrais pain relief home treatments can be done in privacy, at your own pace, and at your convenience. Most people reach their goals in fewer than 2-4 weeks, and experience significant pain relief from the very first Feldenkrais pain relief treatment session.