Embodied Healing: Using Somatic Therapy to Address Trauma
In Embodied Resilience: Using Somatic Therapy for Emotional Regulation we explained the physiology of fight or flight. When the body detects a threat to survival the autonomic nervous system (ANS) kicks in. Many systems mobilize to better prepare the body to protect itself. That post also explored ways to regulate our emotions through body awareness.
In this post, we will look at what happens to our memories when the ANS gets activated. What does it mean when people say “trauma is stored in the body?” If we understand these processes the value of somatic therapy becomes clear.
Why Don’t I Remember Exactly What Happened?
During a traumatic event, the "fight or flight" response gets triggered. Several things happen to the way we process memories.
Heightened Awareness
The brain becomes focused on the danger. The amygdala is the part of the brain responsible for detecting threats. It becomes highly active. The amygdala assists in creating and storing emotional memories. This is particularly true for feelings related to fear.
Physical Reactions
The body prepares to either fight the danger or flee from it.
Intense Emotions
The emotions during a traumatic event are very strong. The brain prioritizes these intensely emotional experiences. The emotional intensity can make the memories of the event very vivid and powerful.
Hippocampus Impact
The hippocampus organizes and stores memories. It doesn’t work as well during extreme stress. This means that the memory of a traumatic event may not get filed in an organized way. It may not get fully integrated into the memory system. This can result in fragmented or disjointed memories.
Difficulty Processing
Remembering a coherent story later is difficult for these reasons.
After the event, these stored traumatic memories can get triggered easily. Sensations, thoughts, feelings, or movements associated with the trauma may return. These can cause the body and mind to react as if the danger has also returned. Flashbacks, nightmares, and strong emotional and physical reactions are symptoms of unprocessed traumas.
Storage of Traumatic Memories
Bessel van der Kolk is a renowned psychiatrist and trauma researcher. He emphasizes the idea that trauma is not just a mental or emotional experience but is also stored in the body.
Physical Sensations and Reactions
After activation of the body’s stress response, it seeks a return to homeostasis. The body wants to fully process the event and return to safety. When this doesn't happen, traumatic experiences can generate physical sensations in the body. For example, tension, pain, or discomfort. These physical reactions can persist long after the traumatic event has passed.
Muscle Memory and Posture
Trauma can affect how a person holds their body and moves. We can unconsciously adopt certain postures to protect ourselves from perceived threats. Someone who has experienced physical abuse might have a tight, guarded stance.
Autonomic Nervous System
Trauma impacts involuntary functions like heart rate, digestion, and respiration. Traumatic experiences can lead to chronic dysregulation of the ANS. This can cause hypervigilance, anxiety, digestive issues, and sleep disturbances.
Somatic Memory
The body can hold implicit memories of trauma not easily accessible through conscious thought. Sensory cues can lead to reactions without fully understanding why.
Emotional Expression
Emotions are often felt physically in the body. For example, fear might manifest as a tight chest or a queasy stomach. Unprocessed trauma leads to stored emotions, causing ongoing physical symptoms and discomfort.
Healing Through the Body
Van der Kolk advocates for therapies that address the physical aspect of trauma. These include body-based modalities such as breathwork, Brainspotting, and forms of physical therapy. The goals of each are to help release stored tension and integrate traumatic memories.
In his book "The Body Keeps the Score," van der Kolk explains that trauma affects the whole person. Effective trauma treatment needs to address the body, mind, and brain. The physical, psychological, and emotional manifestations of trauma need attention. Through somatic therapy at Rezak Therapy, individuals can heal from the deep-seated effects of trauma.
Processing Trauma Through Neurobiology
Clients typically appreciate understanding the neurobiology behind holistic healing. Then they often ask, "So what do I do now?" Somatic therapists focus more on the being rather than the doing. Trauma can be processed somatically through various processes.
Somatic therapists help clients stay present and connected to their bodies. Techniques include deep breathing, body scanning, and focusing on sensory experiences. They also focus a great deal on creating a safe and supportive relationship. Trauma processing can only happen when we are feeling secure and understood.
Part of trauma processing is the practice of regulating the nervous system. Somatic therapists help clients learn to resource through the body, imagery, and relationships. This is done experientially in session.
Brainspotting and EMDR are two commonly used modalities for reprocessing traumatic memories. Each uses bilateral stimulation and eye position to access and reprocess trauma. Sensorimotor psychotherapy processes trauma by exploring the pairing of body sensations with emotions. The goal is to reduce emotional intensity.
Somatic therapists use these techniques to help individuals work towards healing and integration. Our approaches help rewire the brain. It actually knows exactly what to do when given the right conditions. Integrating traumatic memories improves ease in regulating the nervous system. Hypervigilance and anxiety can be replaced with self-regulation and mindfulness.
Start Addressing Your Trauma With Somatic Therapy in Pasadena, CA
Take the first step toward healing by exploring somatic therapy in Pasadena, CA, a holistic approach designed to help you process and release trauma from your body. Through personalized techniques and tips from a skilled somatic therapist at Rezak Therapy, you'll reconnect with your physical self and uncover the path to emotional freedom. Don't let trauma control your life follow these three simple steps to begin addressing your trauma:
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if Somatic Therapy is right for you.
Begin meeting with a skilled somatic therapist.
Start addressing and healing your trauma.
Other Services Offered at Rezak Therapy in Pasadena, CA
At Rezak Therapy, we're here to help you align with your most authentic self. In addition to addressing and healing from trauma stored in your body with Somatic Therapy, our Holistic Therapy approaches include talk therapy and depth psychotherapy. We also offer services for those struggling with post-traumatic stress, couples looking to increase intimacy in their relationships, and The Artists Way Group which is a 12-week adventure of artistic discovery and personal exploration. Our services are available both in-person in Pasadena and online for clients in Los Angeles and throughout California. For more on somatic therapy and our other services check out our blog.
