Trauma-informed care is an approach that acknowledges the long-term impact of trauma on individuals. Trauma not only impacts our psychological and emotional well-being, but also our physical health. There are many physical and physiological symptoms that result from unresolved trauma, such as headaches, jaw tension, muscle tension, neck/back pain, body aches, stomach problems, digestive issues, persistent pain,  trembling, uncontrollable twitches, sleep disturbances, immune dysfunction, autoimmune conditions, fibromyalgia, endocrine imbalances, visual disturbances, dizziness, heart palpitations, panic attacks, anxiety, functional neurological disorder, chronic fatigue and 'unexplainable' symptoms.

Trauma causes chronic activation of our survival responses (fight, flight, freeze). Our nervous system is constantly scanning the environment for danger. In this state, we are unable to fully relax or feel safe. Our bodies may feel tense, or we may feel numb and disconnected from our bodies. We may consciously know that we are safe, but that does not change our reaction when we are triggered. We cannot control our instinctual fear responses with our rational mind. Trauma is stored as implicit (subconscious) memory in our bodies. During the traumatic incident, the body's attempt to escape the danger by fighting or fleeing was thwarted. Without the opportunity to be completed, those interrupted survival reactions (movements) are locked in the body and become habitual postural holding and movement patterns. When the body is in 'instinctual survival mode' certain areas of the brain are deactivated, such as prefrontal cortex (which is responsible for decision-making and reason) and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (which is partly responsible for our perception of time). The thalamus (which integrates sensory information like sight, smell, sensation, taste into a complete representation of the information) becomes dysregulated. This results in trauma being remembered very differently to other life experiences. Trauma memories are fragmented and there is no clear story that can be tracked from beginning to end. When a memory is triggered there may be a flash of an image, smell or sensation coupled with an intense emotion (fear, rage, panic or overwhelming helplessness). The trauma is relived over and over again. The nervous system has not yet relegated the experience to the past.

Body-centered therapies focus on re-establishing a reliable, safe and comforting connection with our bodies. As we learn to become aware of our sensations, feelings and subtle impulses to move, we can allow the body to organically re-organize itself from within. This process allows the trauma energy held within the system to be slowly and gradually discharged. The body finally has an opportunity to complete those previously thwarted survival movements. During therapy the implicit memory is accessed while the person feels safe and calm. The previously deactivated brain areas (such as the prefrontal cortex) are now 'online' and active, allowing the experience to be integrated and relegated to the past where it belongs. The traumatic implicit memory becomes replaced by a more empowering body memory. The nervous system recalibrates, and we can access states of relaxation, comfort and safety. Our window of tolerance becomes wider, and we are better able to cope with stress. As we shift out of freeze or chronic activation of our sympathetic nervous system (fight/flight) to a more balanced rhythm between our sympathetic and parasympathetic (rest/digest) states, our bodies begin to heal. When our body is in 'rest and digest' mode, we are able to relax, our posture changes, we breathe more deeply, we move more freely, we process pain differently, our digestion improves, our immune system functions better, our hormones are more balanced, our fertility is improved and our adrenals get a rest.

Somatic, body-centered therapy is not ‘talk’ therapy. In this process we are working from ‘the bottom up’. "Bottom up' regulation happens through movement, touch and breathe. It is not necessary to consciously remember the traumatic event in order to release trauma energy from the body and regulate the nervous system. The process is very empowering. You learn how to track your level of activation and how to self-regulate in stressful situations.  

Body-centered therapy is 'bottom up' processing (nervous system regulation occurs via interoception/information coming from the body). Psychotherapy is 'top down' processing (nervous system regulation occurs via the prefrontal cortex of the brain). These approaches involve different processing pathways and work very well together in the resolution of trauma. Psychotherapy is very valuable as it provides a safe space for people to explore their beliefs, thoughts and feelings. It allows people to consciously process their life experiences and understand dynamics playing out in their lives and relationships. Anna is not a psychologist, and she will happily refer you to for talk therapy if you need.