Eurythmy Therapy / Curative Eurythmy as a Profession

Eurythmy therapy treats the entire human being, it is a movement therapy that works with the patient as a living, mental/emotional and spiritual entity. Eurythmy was developed from the observation of movements that can be perceived in human speech. Each vowel and consonant has its own movement: in eurythmy therapy the resonance, articulation and dynamic shaping ordinarily performed by the speech organization (larynx, respiration, speech organs) are taken up by the human musculoskeletal system and visibly expressed by the whole organism. These movements of the body are a metamorphosis of the functional movements of speech and sound. They are related to physiological processes. Through movement, therefore, we create a connection between external movement and the body’s internal, functional life processes. The specific movement sequence corresponding to each sound can also be therapeutically adjusted for the individual patient. Its effect starts at the somatic and functional level but additionally includes emotional, psychosocial and cognitive levels. Eurythmy therapy is an independent therapeutic method within Anthroposophic Medicine.

Special qualifications are required to provide eurythmy therapy. The qualifications are acquired within the framework of recognized training programs.

The diagnosis process in eurythmy therapy

• Spontaneous first impression (a holistic, intuitive, encountering impression)
• General movement analysis and diagnostics: a phenomenological overall impression can be obtained based on movement tasks, which leads to a diagnosis of the movement through individual observation criteria and a systematic evaluation.
• Specific levels of phenomenological observation of movement in eurythmy therapy: physical, functional, mental/emotional and intentional levels.

Treatment is directed by a doctor’s prescription. The prescribing physician takes the patient’s general and disease-specific case history and makes a primary diagnosis according to Anthroposophic Medicine. This results in an indication for eurythmy therapy.
If the doctor is suitably qualified, he can suggest specific exercises. The goal and planning of the therapy are usually decided in consultation with the therapist.

Active principles

Eurythmy therapists are trained to recognize and treat disease-specific changes in the patient’s movement pattern and accompanying deeper dispositions to diseases. In correlation with the variety of sounds in speech, eurythmy therapy has a wide range of other exercises that are used by the therapist in different sequences and combinations. Depending on the sound gestures chosen, eurythmy therapy measures have different effects: upbuilding and stimulating, calming and relaxing, or structuring and forming. The patient’s breathing, circulation and metabolism can thereby be specifically influenced by changing his habitual movements using sound gestures. In this way we can achieve lasting improvement of a patient’s organ functions as well as improving his physical and mental state. An essential factor in the healing process is that the sound movements are accompanied by intensified feeling and consciousness. By learning and independently practicing eurythmy therapy, the patient becomes aware of the connection between her complaints and her overall condition. This expands her possibilities for self-regulation in her healing process.

Evaluation

Eurythmy therapists assess the course of treatment by:

• Continuously checking the movement sequences practiced by the patient (movement diagnosis).
• Making sure the eurythmy therapy treatment is done in concert with the rest of the patient’s treatment, taking into account medical findings or third-party assessments by patients, parents, caregivers and educators, and consultations with the attending physician.
• Written documentation and evaluation within the framework of individual case studies or cohort studies.

There have been various outcome studies (AMOS/DE) on the benefits and cost-effectiveness of eurythmy therapy since September 2004 (see recommended literature).

Training

Specialized training in eurythmy therapy follows after the completion of professional eurythmy training and usually lasts 1.5 years. There are currently 7 eurythmy therapy trainings worldwide that are recognized by the Medical Section at the Goetheanum. In addition, there are training initiatives around the world.