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Vegetotherapy is a form of Wilhelm Reich psychotherapy that involves the physical manifestations of .
Reich argued that "the feeling of unity of all body sensations ... increases with each new dissolution of an armor ring,"Wilhelm Reich, Character Analysis (1976) p. 372-3 leading ultimately to a merger with the autonomic functions of the body. He considered that "orgone physics reduces the emotional functions of humans even much further, to the forms of movement of Mollusca and protozoa".Reich, p. 397 After his claim to have thus discovered "orgone" or life energy, vegetotherapy was accordingly adapted and succeeded by "psychiatric orgone therapy".
Subsequently, neo-Reichian therapists have adopted the body work of vegetotherapy in various forms into their therapeutic practices.Tree Staunton, Body Psychotherapy (2002) p. 40
An additional technique is to palpate or tickle areas of muscular tension, A patient's description of vegetotherapy also known as "body armour". This activity and stimulation eventually causes the patient to experience the simulated emotions, thus theoretically releasing emotions pent up inside both the body and the psyche (compare with primal therapy).
Screaming and vomiting may occur as the catharsis of emotive expression breaks down the cathexis of stored emotions. While experiencing a simulated emotional state, the patient may reflect on past experiences that may be the source of his or her unresolved emotions. These emotions are described as "stored emotions," and in Reichian analysis are seen as manifesting in the body. Vegetotherapy relies on a theory of stored emotions, or affects, where emotions build tensions in the structure of the body. This tension can be seen in shallow or restricted breathing, posture, facial expression, muscular stress (particularly in the circular muscles), and low libido. Good sexual function and unrestricted, natural breathing are seen as evidence of recovery. Dr. Elsworth Baker on Orgonomy
Examples of vegetotherapy, as well as interviews with analysts and patients who have undergone vegetotherapy, can be seen in the film Room for Happiness, film Room for Happiness directed by Dick Young and approved by the American College of Orgonomy.
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