The term body-based practices refers to complementary therapies that work directly on your body. They may also be described as bodywork or touch therapies.
Some techniques are passive – therapists apply some form of touch or manual pressure to your body. Examples include aromatherapy, massage and reflexology.
Other practices require you to actively undertake a series of movements to stimulate and stretch different parts of the body. Examples include yoga, tai chi and Pilates.
Some body-based practices have a strong mind–body connection, so they benefit both physical and emotional health. These include yoga, tai chi and qi gong.
What are the benefits?
The benefits of body-based practices include reducing tension, anxiety, insomnia and pain, and increasing energy, vitality, quality of life and wellbeing. Exercise, even if gentle, can also improve stamina, muscle tone (strength), flexibility and agility.
What are the side effects?
To reduce the potential for harm, check the practitioner is qualified.
Learn more about these body-based practices:
- Acupuncture
- Aromatherapy
- Exercise techniques
- Massage
- Other movement techniques
- Qi gong
- Reflexology
- Tai chi
- Yoga
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Key resource
Download a PDF booklet on this topic.
More resources
Suzanne Grant, Senior Acupuncturist, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; A/Prof Craig Hassed, Senior Lecturer, Department of General Practice, Monash University, VIC; Mara Lidums, Consumer; Tanya McMillan, Consumer; Simone Noelker, Physiotherapist and Wellness Centre Manager, Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre, VIC; A/Prof Byeongsang Oh, Acupuncturist, University of Sydney and Northern Sydney Cancer Centre, NSW; Sue Suchy, Consumer; Marie Veale, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Queensland, QLD; Prof Anne Williams, Nursing Research Consultant, Centre for Nursing Research, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and Chair, Health Research, School of Health Professions, Murdoch University, WA.
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