The foundation of Rhythmical Massage Therapy stems from an understanding of Anthroposophical medicine and its approach to illness and health.

Anthroposophical medicine is a complementary medical approach and is an extension of mainstream medicine. It employs traditional diagnostic approach and therapeutic methods to treat patients with acute and chronic, physical, emotional or mental health problems. It not only treats the illness, but also takes into account the patient’s individual psychological and somatic condition, together with his or her social context.

Its aim is to help the individual engage in his/her own self-healing abilities and to help restore and maintain health; not just address the symptoms, but work at the root cause. The healing processes facilitated by the treatment engage the patient’s own activity to restore the balance between psychological and physiological aspects.

Dr Rudolf Steiner and Dr Ita Wegman founded Anthroposophical Medicine in the 1920s and the first Anthroposophical medical clinic was established in Switzerland.

 Rhythmical Massage Therapy was developed at the same time by Dr Wegman, a medical doctor schooled in physiotherapy and massage. It was at this same clinic, later to be named the Ita Wegman Clinic, that she and Dr Margarethe Hauschka applied an Anthroposophical understanding of the human being, addressing not only the physical well-being but also the soul, spirit nature.

They collaborated for 12 years to develop this new approach to therapeutic massage.

In 1962, Dr. Hauschka opened the first school for Rhythmical Massage Therapy Training in Boll, Germany. In 2002, the first Rhythmical Massage Therapy Training opened its doors in the UK.

Rhythmical Massage Therapy is a very gentle non-intrusive massage. RMT works on deep soft tissue, with the hands, employing a light rhythmic quality of touch, bringing levity to the tissue through a drawing out gesture. The techniques include lifting movements, rhythmical undulating gliding movements, and complex movement patterns such as lemniscates.

The emphasis always being that of a rhythmic nature enables respiration to become more active and enlivened. Its aim is to stimulate inner activity, balancing out one-sided developments and restore harmony. Therefore, although discomfort/problems may appear in one particular part of the body, the therapist may address other regions to balance out the disorder. While the gesture may be either to decongest, stimulate and soothe, the main theme will be to address the warmth distribution over the body.