Somatic Therapy For Trauma Healing
Somatic therapy for trauma healing is known for its amazing results. This mind-body therapy has been scientifically proven to help heal trauma and regulate emotions. It does this by focusing on the body’s sensations and reactions to specific stimuli.. Somatic therapy treats cognitive and mental health conditions by addressing the physical and emotional responses to stress and trauma. The single most important and often undervalued fact about trauma is that it’s not just stored in the brain. It’s also stored in the body.
Historical Background of Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy can be traced back to the work of Peter Levine. Peter Levine is widely known for developing Somatic Experiencing in the 1970s. His hypothesis held that trauma is not solely a mental condition but also affects the physical body. The field has since expanded and evolved to treat trauma, stress, and various mental health disorders.
The Science Behind Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy operates by focusing on the body as a key component in trauma and emotional processing. The core premise of somatic therapy is that the body holds onto unresolved trauma. Trauma can manifest as physical symptoms, emotional dysregulation, and mental health disorders. Some of these mental health disorders include: PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Somatic therapy for trauma healing targets the autonomic nervous system and brain-body connection to facilitate healing and emotional release.
The autonomic nervous system plays a pivotal role in our body’s response to trauma and stress. It has two main parts: The Sympathetic Nervous System and the Parasympathetic Nervous System. SNS triggers the fight-or-flight response and PNS calms the body to help it return to homeostasis.
When someone experiences trauma, their SNS is often hyperactivated, keeping the body in a prolonged state of readiness for danger. Over time, if the trauma is not processed, this heightened state can become chronic. Chronic overactive SNS can lead to emotional and mental health conditions such as PTSD, chronic anxiety, and depression. Somatic therapy for trauma healing works by helping patients reconnect with their bodies and bring the ANS back into balance. Individuals can learn to move from a state of hyperarousal and overstimulation to a state of calm and balance.
Neurochemical Influence Of Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy has been shown to influence key neurochemicals and brain regions that regulate mood, stress, and emotional balance:
Cortisol: A stress hormone released by the adrenal glands during fight-or-flight responses. Elevated cortisol levels are associated with chronic stress and anxiety. Somatic therapy techniques, such as breathwork and grounding exercises, help reduce cortisol production, leading to a calmer nervous system.
Oxytocin: Plays a critical role in social bonding and emotional well-being. Certain somatic practices, such as bodywork and appropriate touch, can increase oxytocin levels, promoting feelings of safety and connectedness.
Serotonin and Dopamine: These neurotransmitters regulate mood, motivation, and pleasure. By engaging the body and focusing on physical sensations, somatic therapy for trauma healing can help restore balance in serotonin and dopamine levels. They are often dysregulated in individuals with depression and anxiety.
Brain-Body Connection and Trauma Processing
The body’s response to trauma often bypasses cognitive processing. This means that individuals may not fully understand why they feel anxious, stressed, or triggered. Instead, trauma is stored in the body through muscle tension, physical pain, and dissociation. This is why trauma often manifests as unexplained physical symptoms such as: chronic headaches, back pain, or digestive issues.
Somatic therapy for trauma healing operates by activating the body’s ability to perceive internal sensations. Techniques such as body scanning, breath awareness, and grounding exercises increase interoceptive awareness. This allows individuals to be able to notice sensations such as tightness, discomfort, or numbness. By doing so, they can identify and release stored trauma and stress from the body. Being aware of these triggers leads to a more profound emotional and mental healing process.
Polyvagal Theory and Somatic Therapy
Another practice relevant to somatic therapy is Polyvagal Theory. This theory was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges. It stresses the importance of the vagus nerve, which is a crucial part of the parasympathetic nervous system. The vagus nerve connects the brain to the heart, lungs, and digestive system. It also plays a critical role in regulating emotional and physiological states.
Polyvagal Theory suggests that trauma and stress disrupt vagal function which causes individuals to remain stuck in states of overstimulation or dissociation. Somatic therapy practices stimulate the vagus nerve. This encourages the body to shift into a parasympathetic state where healing and recovery can happen.
Effectiveness of Somatic Therapy for Specific Mental Health Conditions
Numerous studies have highlighted the effectiveness of somatic therapy for specific mental health conditions:
PTSD: Somatic therapy helps individuals with PTSD release trauma that has been stored in the body, reducing overstimulation, flashbacks, and other symptoms. The approach has been particularly beneficial for those who find traditional talk therapy insufficient.
Anxiety: By focusing on body sensations, somatic therapy helps individuals become more grounded. This leads to better emotional regulation and lower anxiety levels.
Depression: Somatic therapy can help people with depression. It helps them reconnect with their bodies, promote self-awareness, and engage in activities that stimulate serotonin and dopamine production.
Dissociation: For individuals who experience dissociation, somatic therapy helps them reconnect with their physical body. This encourages a more grounded sense of “Self.”
Somatic therapy offers a unique approach to emotional healing by addressing these physical symptoms and mental health conditions.
Synergetic Effects of Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy for trauma healing is often combined with other holistic therapies or medications to enhance its benefits. Some common synergistic combinations include:
Mindfulness Meditation: Both techniques help individuals remain present and regulate their thoughts and feelings.
Yoga and Movement-Based Practices: Both of these practices emphasize the mind-body connection and help individuals release stored trauma.
Medications: While somatic therapy is primarily non-pharmacological, it is often used alongside medications like SSRIs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is somatic therapy? Somatic therapy is a body-centered approach to healing that helps individuals release trauma and emotional stress stored in the body.
How does somatic therapy work for PTSD? Somatic therapy calms the fight-or-flight response and reduces PTSD symptoms such as flashbacks and overstimulation. It does this by working with an individual’s body sensations.
What can I expect during a somatic therapy session? A session typically involves body scanning, breathwork, gentle movement, and guided dialogue to help you tune into your bodily sensations and emotions.
Can somatic therapy be combined with other treatments? Yes, somatic therapy for trauma healing works well alongside cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and certain medications to enhance overall healing.
Final Thoughts
Somatic therapy for trauma healing offers a well-rounded approach to managing mental health conditions by addressing the mind-body connection. Through regular sessions, individuals can learn to process trauma more effectively. They can experience emotional regulation and achieve overall cognitive wellness.
References
Levine, P. (1997). Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma. North Atlantic Books.
Ogden, P., & Fisher, J. (2015). Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: Interventions for Trauma and Attachment. W.W. Norton & Company.
Ogden, P., Minton, K., & Pain, C. (2006). Trauma and the Body: A Sensorimotor Approach to Psychotherapy. W.W. Norton & Company.
Payne, P., Levine, P. A., & Crane-Godreau, M. A. (2015). Somatic Experiencing: Using Interoception and Proprioception as Core Elements of Trauma Therapy. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 93.
Porges, S. W. (2009). The polyvagal Theory: New Insights Into Adaptive Reactions of the Autonomic Nervous System. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 76, (Sup_2) S86-S90.
Van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Penguin Books.