I often refer to this work while teaching in order to demonstrate the presence of "central sensitization" and the novel way therapy might affect it. The original clinical trials were conducted by Nancy Byl, a brilliant PT in San Francisco.

However, this work is not related to ideomotor activity, an active though unconsciously driven movement whose purpose is to reduce mechanical deformation; not to significantly alter cellular changes in the brain.

With Simple Contact an effort is made to "play" with the creative activity generated instinctively and produced by the patient in an effort to relieve the mechanical deformation from which the problematic sensation originates.

I find myself repeatedly saying "mechanical deformation" in these posts. Is there a problem with our profession's understanding of this simple concept as it relates to painful sensation?

A very interesting discussion regarding creativity, play, induction and therapeutic movement that may help here can currently be found on Rehabedge.com in "Barrett's Bullypit." Look for the tread titled "Induction."