Bernstein Healing Protocols/Physical Release (BHP/PR) is a new healing modality which combines proven, successful approaches for pain: body-centered coaching and mentoring, which treats the causes of emotional pain, and physical release, which addresses the causes of physical pain. Body-centered coaching and mentoring is a proven protocol that utilizes both conversation and body work to resolve emotional trauma. Physical release is a highly effective modality that uses fascial manipulation techniques to unwind and release tissues distorted by trauma. The Bernstein Institute’s method of BHP/PR produces unprecedented results, often lessening the need for psychotropic and pain medications.

Bodies distorted by trauma abound in symptoms such as uneven shoulders, misaligned hips, stiff necks and backs, tense jaws, and shallow breathing from a tight chest. Until recently, it wasn’t fully appreciated that these symptoms could be the result of both emotional as well as physical trauma.

Body-centered coaching and mentoring addresses armoring, the physical and emotional restrictions left in the body as a residue of traumatic experience. Dr. Bernstein has combined the best practices of several body-centered modalities to create his signature approach. Although body-centered coaching and mentoring often includes some elements similar to physical therapy (such as cranial-sacral manipulation), Dr. Bernstein found these techniques to fall short of the comprehensive full-body approach of physical release. BHP/PR is unique in that combining both approaches achieves results unobtainable when the protocols are employed independently.

BHP/PR sessions combine coaching and mentoring with body-centered release techniques and unwinding, the latter consisting of gentle, physical manipulation of the twisted fascia while the practitioner slowly and continuously guides the client’s body to unwind. Client feedback is essential to the process. The client’s body often spontaneously suggests the ways it wants to release tension and return to its natural state. Since unwinding the fascia also releases memories of past emotional trauma, the client experiences relief that leads to emotional as well as physical healing.

Body-centered coaching and mentoring and physical release, used independently, are extremely effective in bringing the client a depth of healing that would never be attained by simply analyzing or verbalizing. Yet, when the two practices are combined, the results are even more extraordinary, and through continued application of the combined modalities, clients improve dramatically. When the old emotional material is finally released, the client becomes “unstuck” and experiences a new openness and vulnerability. At this point of transformation, coaching and mentoring can take on a major role in the healing process. The practitioner, through experience and insight, helps the client gain perspective, and – thanks to BHP/PR – the depth of healing is much greater.