What is Zero Balancing?
How does it work?
Who can benefit from ZB?
What to expect at your appointment?
ZB was developed in the 1970’s by Fritz Fredrick Smith, MD, an American physician, osteopath, and acupuncturist. Dr. Smith, born in 1929, was one of the first Western physicians to comprehensively study acupuncture, meditation, and other eastern methods of healing. Dr. Smith sought to bring the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine to a Western modality and practice. Zero Balancing is his legacy—a synthesis of Eastern and Western thought and method. Dr. Smith is the author of two books, Inner Bridges and The Alchemy of Touch. A biography of Dr. Smith, Life in the Bones, is written by David Lauterstein. Dr. Smith lives in Palm Springs, California, with his wife Aminah Raheem.
Zero Balancing is a type of hands-on bodywork that helps release held tension in the skeletal system. These structural and energetic blocks may be compromising the body’s greatest healing potential. Once there is alignment of the structure, the body will be able to transfer energy more effectively and efficiently. Because the bones are the most foundational tissue of the body, ZB allows one to gain a new awareness of, and have greater access, to the deepest parts of oneself.
The Zero Balancing protocol addresses the whole body with specific attention to the foundation joints. Foundation joints are involved with the transmission of mechanical and energetic forces and have no voluntary motion. If these joints are compromised, it can greatly affect the rest of the body. When aligned and balanced, energy can more freely flow at the deepest physical level.
With this release, one can experience a new level of wholeness, vitality, and connection to themselves and others. Zero Balancing allows one to feel more at ease and connected with their inner power as they move forward in life.
ZB is safe and effective for adults and children of any age. The benefits are wide and varied, addressing all levels of mind, body, and spirit. They include:
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Reduction of stress, tension, pain, and other vulnerabilities that often lead to illness.
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A recent study found that one 30-minute ZB session can offer a person an average of 61% stress reduction versus a 12% reduction during an equivalent rest period.
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Help with symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression, addiction, and many other mental/emotional health challenges.
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Increased ease in all kinds of physical movement.
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More restful sleep.
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Greater overall energy, vitality, and creativity.
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Increased ability to adjust to major life changes.
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Integration after a psychedelic experience
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Recent studies have shown that ZB can help people embody their new awareness more deeply after psychedelic therapy. You can read an article on the study done here.
For more on the science behind Zero Balancing, check out the website www.zbtouch.org. Find additional studies under the Research menu.
A ZB session starts with a short conversation to discover your intention for the session that takes into account your hopes and desires. This can include anything that feels relevant for you on any level— physical, mental/emotional, or spiritual. We simply ask, “How can this session be of service to you?” Once stated, your intention is held energetically by the practitioner during the session as a possibility for you to embody. This brings the power of intention to the work done within the session.
A standard ZB session lasts 45 minutes and is done lying on a massage table with clothes on. The practitioner's touch meets your body at a point of Interface, a term describing a type of touch that does not stream or absorb energy. Rather, at Interface, the touch of the practitioner is applied with a clear energetic boundary and with full attention to the physical point of contact. The practitioner then feels for areas of tension or blocked energy and applies a gentle pressure or traction called a fulcrum into the area. The fulcrum is held briefly in stillness to give the body a chance to reorganize around the point of contact.
Each person will have a different experience in a ZB session, but in general, the session is deeply relaxing and puts you in touch with your deepest self. After the session, you briefly walk around the space to integrate your new awareness. You may feel the positive ripples as you go about your life.