Trauma is an insidious force that can linger in our lives long after the event has ended. While many associate trauma with emotional and psychological symptoms, it’s crucial to understand that trauma also embeds itself in our bodies and nervous systems. This holistic understanding of trauma is essential for effective healing and recovery. Pioneers like Peter Levine and renowned works such as “The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk and “Feel to Heal” by Susanne Babbel offer invaluable insights into how trauma affects us. These experts shed light on the importance of somatic healing for processing trauma and achieving rapid, lasting recovery.
Somatic Healing Pioneer: Peter Levine
Peter Levine, a notable expert in the field of trauma, emphasizes that trauma is not just a psychological phenomenon but a physiological one as well. In his book “Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma,” Levine explains how trauma can cause the body to become stuck in a state of hyperarousal or hypoarousal. These states, often referred to as “fight/flight,” or “freeze,” are a natural response to danger. However, when these states becomes chronic, they can lead to a host of physical and psychological issues.
Levine’s Somatic Experiencing® (SE) approach focuses on releasing stored trauma from the body. He teaches that trauma can disrupt the natural flow of energy in the body, leading to blockages that manifest as physical symptoms such as chronic pain, tension, and fatigue. SE is a form somatic healing and by working with the body’s sensations, SE aims to restore the flow of energy, helping individuals to process and integrate traumatic experiences.
Somatic Healing Pioneer: Dr. Bessel van der Kolk
In his book, “The Body Keeps the Score,” Dr. Bessel van der Kolk expands on the concept that trauma is stored in the body. Van der Kolk’s research demonstrates how trauma alters the brain’s wiring, particularly in areas responsible for stress regulation and emotional control. He explains that traumatic experiences can cause changes in the brain’s limbic system, which governs our emotions and survival instincts.
One of the key insights from “The Body Keeps the Score” is the understanding that traditional talk therapy may not be sufficient to address these deep-seated changes. Van der Kolk advocates for incorporating body-centered therapies such as breathwork, yoga, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and neurofeedback to help rewire the brain and release trauma stored in the body.
Somatic Healing Pioneer: Susanne Babbel’s
Susanne Babbel’s “Feel to Heal” further underscores the importance of somatic healing in trauma recovery. Babbel argues that our bodies hold memories of traumatic events, and that these memories can trigger physical reactions even when the mind is not consciously aware of them. Her approach involves tuning into the body’s sensations and using them as a guide to uncover and process hidden traumas.
Babbel’s work highlights the importance of developing a mindful awareness of the body’s responses. By learning to recognize and interpret physical sensations, individuals can begin to understand how trauma has impacted their bodies. This awareness is the first step toward releasing stored trauma and achieving a sense of balance and well-being.
Connected Breathwork: A Potent Somatic Healing Modality
Conscious, connected Breathwork is another powerful somatic therapy that supports trauma recovery. This practice involves accelerated, rhythmic breathing patterns accompanied by evocative music, creating an altered state of consciousness that can help individuals access and process deep-seated emotional and psychological trauma. Breathwork allows for a profound release of stored energy and emotions, promoting healing on both the physical and psychological levels. By facilitating a deep connection with the body and unconscious mind, it can unlock and resolve traumas that are otherwise difficult to reach through conventional therapeutic methods.
Why Somatic Healing is Essentia for Trauma Recovery
1. Trauma is a Whole-Body Experience: Trauma affects both the mind and the body. To achieve lasting recovery, it’s essential to address the physical manifestations of trauma alongside the psychological ones.
2. Releasing Stored Energy: Trauma can cause the body to store energy in the form of tension and stress. Somatic therapies help to release this stored energy, promoting relaxation and healing.
3. Restoring Nervous System Balance: Chronic trauma can dysregulate the nervous system, leading to persistent states of hyperarousal or shutdown. Body-centered therapies can help to reset the nervous system, restoring its natural balance.
4. Building Resilience: Working with the body helps to build resilience, enabling individuals to better cope with future stressors. Somatic practices foster a sense of safety, empowerment, and control, which are crucial for recovery.
5. Integrating Mind and Body: Effective trauma recovery requires an integration of mind and body. Somatic therapies bridge the gap between these two aspects, facilitating a holistic healing process.
Closing Thoughts on Somatic Healing for Trauma Recovery
Understanding that trauma is stored in the body and nervous system underscores the necessity of incorporating somatic healing into the recovery process. Insights from Peter Levine, Bessel van der Kolk, and Susanne Babbel highlight the profound impact of trauma on our physical well-being and the importance of addressing these effects through body-centered therapies. By acknowledging and working with the body’s role in trauma, we open the door to a more comprehensive and effective path to healing.
Ready to tap into the power of your body and your inner healer? Breathwork is a powerful somatic healing modality that can help you connect with your body’s wisdom, process trauma, rebalance the nervous system, and build resilience. You can find out more about Breathwork and how it ‘works’ here, and if you’d like to book an online or in-person breathwork session, you can contact us here.