Contrasts in medical orgonomy & EMDR

• Ocular Dearmoring in Orgonomic Therapy vs. EMDR by Leah Longan, 2/3/98
  
  

Ocular dearmoring techniques focus on increasing the moblization of the musculature in the ocular segment. The emphasis is on directive methods to increase feeling and expression of emotion. Specific memories may be evoked in the course of this work but are generally not obtained via history taking nor specifically targeted.

Dearmoring proceeds as a pure process, here-and-now modality and may emphasize mobilization of feeling, cartharsis or awareness of pulsatory waves of excitment, inhibition, and expression. Little emphasis is generally paid to the cognitive elements (schemas and belief systems) during the mobilization and release of armoring although this may be done afterwards. I am unaware of any published controlled outcome studies on the use of medial orgonomy.

As Dr. Shapiro noted in her comments, eye movements are not a sufficient nor a necessary component in the EMDR procedures. EMDR is incorporated into a 8 phase comprehensive approach to treatment which includes history taking, client preparation and stabilization as well as the reprocessing phases of treatment. Even when eye movements are included in the reprocessing phases, treatment includes asking the client to identify a specific disturbing memory or other current stimuli, specific sensory attributes such as an image of the memory, negative belief and preferred belief as well as the specific emotion and primary location where it is felt. These procedural elements are not found in medical orgonomy.

While the eye movements are frequently noted in annectodal EMDR reports to change in terms of fluidity, ease and speed over the course of treatment, these changes have not been specifically studied and are not hypothesized to be specifially associated with a positive treatment outcome.

In contrast, in medical orgonomy, treatment outcome is hypothesized to be related to alterations in mobilization of expression of emotion via changes in neuromuscular patterns.

In medical orgonomy, breathing, direct pressure on facial muscles and a range of various eye movements may be utilized to mobilize greater expressiveness in the ocular segment. In EMDR, when eye movements are employed, the same basic lateral saccadic rhythmic eye movements are often used in successive treatment sessions. Significant symptomatic improvements have been reported in more than a dozen controlled EMDR studies most notably in PTSD patients with little significant alterations in the nature of the eye movements themselves.

Thus the theoretical foundations, methodology and research on these methods have little or no overlap as far as I am aware.

Equivalent outcomes have been reported in EMDR treatment with the use of alternating tones and alternating kinesthetic stimulation although it appears from unpublished pilot studies that the eye movements may be somewhat more efficient that these alternative forms of stimulation.

• The effectiveness of lateral stimuli as support for the role of the amygdala by D. Kukal, 1/10/99