The role of somatic experiencing in trauma recovery is important. This modality, which is offered by The Guest House, provides a body-centered approach that heals your mind, body, and spirit.
The Role of Somatic Experiencing in Trauma Recovery
The effects of trauma can linger in your body well after the traumatic event has passed. Body-centered approaches like somatic experiencing can help you get to the root of trauma in the body, allowing you to heal on a much deeper level.
What Is Somatic Experiencing?
According to a 2021 research review published in the European Journal of Psychotraumatology, somatic experiencing “treats post-traumatic symptoms by changing the interoceptive and proprioceptive sensations associated with the traumatic experience.” This means that internal bodily sensations associated with trauma can be shifted and transformed through processes like light physical movements, body awareness, stretching, massage therapy, and more.
Since trauma can affect your physical, mental, and emotional health, treatments need to focus on the full scope of healing. This is where somatic experiencing comes in. The European Journal of Psychotraumatology even mentions that somatic experiencing fills “a gap in the landscape of trauma treatments.” Somatic experiencing can free you of heavy emotions, physical pain, and memories associated with past traumas.
The Benefits of Somatic Experiencing
Somatic experiencing plays a unique role in trauma therapy. According to a 2017 study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress, somatic experiencing is a body-focused therapy that “integrates body awareness into the psychotherapeutic process, taking a unique approach not used by other PTSD treatment methods.”
The study found positive results that indicated somatic experiencing “may be an effective therapy method for PTSD.” It also mentioned that the therapy focuses on “creating awareness of inner physical sensations.” These physical sensations are thought to be carriers of traumatic memories.
The Role of Somatic Experiencing and the Nervous System
Trauma is said to live in the body in many ways, including affecting the nervous system. Healing the nervous system through somatic experiencing can help you overcome the long-term effects of trauma.
Going through a trauma can make you feel threatened, scared, lost, and alone. A traumatic experience can affect the way you view life, and it can even be the root cause of various mental disorders and addictions.
Modulating the Fight-or-Flight Response
“Fight-or-flight” is a common neurobiological response that our bodies have when we perceive threats and traumas. Humans developed this response as a protection from outside predators, stressors, and more. Unfortunately, this response can also have a severe impact on your nervous system if it is not properly regulated.
According to a 2011 article published in Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, “chronic dysregulation” of the fight-or-flight response system can lead to “functional impairment in certain individuals who become ‘psychologically traumatized’ and suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).” This can lead to neurobiological abnormalities and a host of other issues.
Creating Better Nervous System Regulation
Since the fight-or-flight response is a function of the nervous system, tools like somatic experiencing can bring the nervous system back to a regulated state. In recent years, research has been conducted to explore how trauma affects more than just the mind. Practices like somatic experiencing can help heal trauma through the body, allowing you to feel more happy, in control, and free.
In fact, the aforementioned European Journal of Psychotraumatology even mentions that the “primary goal” of somatic experiencing is to “modify the trauma-related stress response,” also known as fight-or-flight, that occurs in the nervous system. Bringing awareness to the trauma and how it feels throughout your body can be a complete game-changer in the way we heal trauma.
This simple practice has a wide variety of benefits. Traditional trauma treatment usually focuses on healing the mind through behavioral therapies and medication. Instead, somatic experiencing brings your awareness back to your body to release the trauma and bring your nervous system back to a regulated state. This creates an important foundation for long-term recovery.
Exploring the Role of Somatic Experiencing at The Guest House
Here at The Guest House, we offer somatic therapy along with a variety of cutting-edge therapies in our trauma-specific program. We understand that many difficulties in life, including mental health conditions, can stem from past trauma. This is why our program focuses on both holistic and traditional modalities to heal your mind, body, and soul.
The role of somatic therapy at The Guest House is powerful. Our trauma-trained staff and clinicians will lead you through light body movements, massage therapy, and more to help you pinpoint the areas where you may feel like trauma is “trapped.” It may sound simple, but this therapy has long-lasting benefits for long-term recovery.
You may want to explore somatic therapy as a complement to our vast array of other treatment modalities. Everyone experiences trauma in their own way. This is why we offer many different options for your journey of healing here at The Guest House.
The role of somatic experiencing in trauma healing is vast. This body-focused technique can help you heal years of feeling stuck in fight-or-flight. It can also regulate your nervous system and offer you a powerful foundation for long-term recovery. At The Guest House, we offer somatic therapy along with a wide variety of cutting-edge modalities in our trauma-specific program. Our program bridges the gap between holistic and traditional therapies and allows you to explore the modalities that work best for you as an individual. Healing trauma is possible, one step at a time, with the right support by your side. You will find it all at The Guest House. Call us at (855) 483-7800.