Harnessing Somatic Therapy: Healing Trauma Through Mind-Body Techniques
Posted by Improving Lives Counseling Services, Inc. | Therapy
Back pain, joint pain, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, muscle spasms, and nausea are among the physical sensations that can manifest when the body re-experiences a past traumatic event. Experiences such as airplane turbulence, auto accidents, domestic violence, physical assault, and gun violence can trigger somatic memory or flashbacks, where the individual relives the trauma physically. Through mind-body techniques or Somatic Therapy, the professionally trained counselors, therapists, and clinicians at Improving Lives Counseling Services diagnose and treat conditions and symptoms associated with body memory.
SOMATIC THERAPIES
Thoughts, emotions, and memories can manifest through bodily movements. Somatic memory, also known as body memory, refers to lingering physical sensations of pain after a traumatic event. Symptoms include re-experiencing physical effects such as nausea, mood swings, weakness in hands and feet, neck pain, myofascial pain, knee and joint pain, immobility, and even falling. Whether diagnosed with a physical illness or not, individuals experiencing somatic memory or flashbacks may perceive themselves as physically ill. Triggers for body memories can stem from sounds, smells, pictures, people, environments, and conversations.
Stored bodily memories were initially recognized in soldiers returning from war zones – contributing to the 1980 diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While there is no distinct diagnosis specifically for domestic violence, somatic therapy has evolved from 1977 to 2010 to address trauma stemming from physical, sexual, and child abuse. Various somatic therapies include Somatic Experiencing, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Gestalt therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing EMDR.
Untreated body memories can contribute to physical ailments and mental health disorders over a person’s lifetime – often observed in seniors. Flashbacks have been documented in Holocaust survivors, survivors of school and neighborhood shootings, firefighters, police officers involved in use-of-force incidents, as well as Palestinians and Ukrainians fleeing conflict zones.
SOMATIC MASSAGE
Utilizing embodied touch and movement, somatic massage therapy targets the muscular, lymphatic, and skeletal systems. This tactile approach facilitates bodily changes that alleviate physical pain associated with body memory trauma. Recent studies highlight the effectiveness of somatic massage in managing behaviors observed in patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
REIKI – SOMATIC ENERGY HEALING
Reiki is a holistic, spiritual healing modality rooted in Eastern beliefs that the body’s vital energy flows through pathways. A Reiki master uses gentle touch or holds their hands just above the body to facilitate the flow of energy, promoting balance and healing. While it does not directly address somatic flashbacks on its own, Reiki is often used as a complementary treatment alongside conventional medical therapies.
Reiki is not affiliated with any religion; practitioners channel energy through their hands, acting as a conduit between the patient and energy forces. This holistic approach can support overall wellness and foster balance between the body and mind.
SOMATIC ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture involves inserting very fine, thin needles into specific points on the skin. Research indicates that combining Acupuncture with Somatic Experiencing can enhance body regulation, promoting improved flow. This integrative approach is recognized for its beneficial effects in somatic therapy, helping to rebalance the brain and hormonal systems following traumatic events, and addressing internal deficiencies that contribute to mental health issues. The World Health Organization supports acupuncture as a treatment of more than 100 different conditions.
Athletes frequently accumulate physiological energy within their bodies. Sports Acupuncture releases endorphins, which not only alleviate pain but promote an overall sense of calmness. “Acupuncture appears to be a natural choice for assisting athletes at all levels in managing performance anxiety, pre-game jitters, and other competition-related fears. It’s one of the many tools athletes employ to enhance their mental well-being and improve overall health.”
SUMMARY
Somatic therapy is a holistic therapeutic approach that prioritizes embodied awareness – how a patient responds to bodily movement, sensations, reactions, and physical cues. Using this awareness in the healing process, it effectively addresses trauma stored in the body. Various somatic practices and techniques assist clients in becoming aware of their bodily sensations and their responses to these sensations. In addition to treating trauma-related flashbacks, somatic therapies can alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.
Overall, somatic therapy aims to enhance well-being by cultivating a profound connection between the mind and body. At Improving Lives Counseling Services, our professionally trained and licensed therapists integrate somatic therapy into personalized treatment plans to meet the unique needs of each patient. Contact us at 918-960-7852 to learn more about how somatic therapy can support your journey towards healing and wellness.
