Tango Therapy for Somatic Symptoms

USE CASES

The method is based on sensory integration, coordination, and structured movement guidance. This allows it to remain applicable even in cases of significantly reduced mobility.

Inclusion of Seated, Supine, and Physically Limited Individuals

Neurotango® is not bound to traditional dance forms.

The method is designed to be applied while standing, sitting, or lying down. This makes it suitable for individuals with significant mobility limitations.

Examples of how movement principles can be adapted include:

Individuals with visual impairment or blindness, where tactile orientation and spatial perception are emphasized.
Individuals with hearing impairment or deafness, who perceive rhythmic structures through vibration and kinesthetic awareness.

Individuals with speech impairments, who develop expressive capacity through nonverbal communication, posture, and body tension.

Why Does Neurotango® Differentiate Between Neurology, Psychology, Somatics, and Coaching?

The practical application of the tools varies depending on the field of use.

In neurology, the focus lies on neuroplastic processes and motor reorganization.
In psychology, the emphasis is on emotional regulation and psychosocial stabilization.
In somatics, the goal is the improvement of physical symptoms and the regulation of functional limitations.
In coaching, the central focus is resource activation, self-regulation, and both self and interpersonal awareness.

While the tools remain structurally comparable, their therapeutic emphasis shifts according to the target group.

Typical Areas of Application in Somatic Contexts of Tango Therapy

Wheelchair users
Visual impairments
Hearing impairments
Mobility impairments
Tinnitus
Musculoskeletal conditions
Cardiovascular conditions
Respiratory conditions
Balance disorders
Post-injury rehabilitation
Speech impairments
General movement limitations
Stress-related somatic symptoms
Supportive pain management

The observed mechanisms and functional changes within these target groups are explained in greater detail in the Science section.

Application of Neurotango® in Somatics and Psychosomatic Contexts

Neurotango® as Music-Based Movement Therapy

In cases of physical dysfunction, the relationship between movement and bodily response is often immediately perceptible. Changes in muscle tone, mobility, or coordination can frequently be experienced directly.

The structured, music-supported training format is described by many participants as motivating and less burdensome than purely functional exercise. In particular, some individuals with chronic pain report temporary or sustained reductions in perceived pain during the sessions.

A few participants with chronic pain, for example in cases of arthritic conditions, have reported a temporary absence of pain during practice. These observations refer to subjective experience and should not be interpreted as structural healing.

In Neurotango®, muscular strengthening and improvements in flexibility, endurance, or balance are not isolated goals, but rather accompanying effects within a broader learning process.

The method operates on neurological, biochemical, and psychosocial levels. Through the integration of movement, rhythm, and social interaction, learning processes are initiated that may support functional change.

Several clinics, including the Diana Klinik, have integrated Neurotango® techniques into therapeutic work with stroke patients. In this context, the high level of patient motivation is frequently described as a supportive factor.

At Charité Berlin, the holistic approach has also been applied in a clinical context with post-Covid patients.

Selected video insights into the practical application of the techniques are documented within the professional Skool group.

Benefits of Tango Therapy (Neurotango®)

All exercises in Tango Therapy engage cognitive processes and are structured through musical stimuli. Movement and rhythm function as combined sensory inputs that activate multiple neural networks.
In neurological conditions, the method focuses on the targeted activation of movement-related brain areas. Improvisation-based movement allows learning without rigid step sequences. In specific exercises, memory components can be incorporated to promote neural connectivity.
Emotions play a central role in the learning process. Music and shared movement within a social context create emotional activation. Emotionally relevant stimuli are processed more efficiently in the brain and may support the stabilization of new movement patterns.
Music is capable of reactivating emotion-linked memories. This connection between emotion, memory, and movement is also observed in phenomena such as music-evoked memory in individuals with dementia. Movement programs are often associated with emotional experiences and may become more accessible through musical cues.
Emotional activation influences synaptic processes and can support learning in motor, cognitive, and social domains. In practice, positive changes in social behavior are frequently described.
Rhythmic structures can help stabilize gait dynamics, similar to external pacing cues. Repeated practice under rhythmic guidance may support smoother movement execution.
Music activates multiple brain networks simultaneously. In combination with movement, systems associated with motivation, reward, and pain modulation are engaged, including dopaminergic and opioid-related processes.
In Parkinson’s disease, dopamine is essential for motor function. In practical work with affected individuals, functional changes have been observed over time. Any medication adjustments are carried out exclusively by the treating physicians.
Positive effects on mood and activation have also been described in individuals with depressive symptoms.
The synchronization of movement, rhythm, and social interaction may additionally exert regulatory effects on cardiovascular function and neural activity patterns.

Studies on the mechanisms described above can be found in the Science section.