Wikipedia describes martial arts therapy as “the usage of martial arts as an alternative or complementary therapy for a medical disorder. This can include disorders of the body or of the mind. The therapy may involve applications such as promoting kinaesthetic balance in the elderly or impaired, or reducing aggressiveness in specific populations (Lamarre, 1999).”
For example, in people with low self-esteem and high levels of stress, martial arts therapy can develop self-defense skills, physical fitness, stress coping skills, and self-confidence.
Therapeutic Martial Arts or martial arts therapy is an exciting stress therapy breakthrough designed to empower people to take control of their lives. It helps both aggressors and victims.
Therapeutic martial arts is an active therapeutic modality that combines the principles of psycho-social rehabilitation with those of traditional martial arts training techniques. The program aims to provide people with new skills to manage the challenges in their lives. It is an excellent solution for helping people to conquer stress for life.
There are a wide variety of programs for groups and individuals available that use martial art skills and drills to achieve effective therapeutic outcomes.
Martial Arts Therapy: Not a One Size Fits All Proposition
Not all types of martial arts are created equal and people must be careful to choose a school or training center that emphasizes using this activity in a therapeutic manner. Some centers are highly combative and competitive, and others are far more involved with an holistic approach to human development and well being.
There are also great differences in the various forms of martial arts, such as Tai Chi, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Judo, etc. Each of these forms of martial arts has a significantly different background and origination point and each is based on its own philosophies.
Each will have a different level of therapeutic value. Doing your research is very important, as with any health and wellness solution, especially when dealing with the extreme challenge of destructive or traumatic stress.