Somatic Therapy

How does trauma affect the nervous system?

When we experience trauma, our nervous system goes into overdrive, triggering a complex series of physiological responses that are meant to protect us. However, when the trauma is prolonged or unresolved, it can leave lasting effects that impact both our body and mind.

Understanding how trauma affects the nervous system is key to recognizing why healing takes time and why specific reactions or sensations feel out of control.

Trauma causes dysregulation in the nervous system, compromising the body’s ability to manage and respond to stress. Individuals may feel “stuck” in a state of tension, unable to fully relax or fully respond to the present moment.

This ongoing dysregulation can lead to the following:

Heightened Anxiety: A constant state of alertness and fear as if danger is always lurking, even when there is no immediate threat.

Intrusive Memories and Nervous System Reactions: When your body responds to a reminder of your trauma (a trauma trigger), your nervous system activates as if the trauma was happening in the present.

Sleep Issues: The inability to fall asleep or stay asleep or the body’s inability to relax results from an overactive sympathetic nervous system.

Physical Symptoms: Chronic muscle tension, headaches, digestive issues, chronic pain, and fatigue are all symptoms of a prolonged state of stress.

Emotional Numbness or Disconnection: Feeling numb or disconnected from emotions results from our nervous system keeping feelings out of our awareness when they feel overwhelming or threatening.

Difficulty with Boundaries and Trust: Trauma can make trusting others or yourself difficult. This might manifest as difficulty setting healthy boundaries or uncertainty about how to protect one’s well-being.

What is somatic therapy?

Somatic therapy is a body-focused approach that recognizes how trauma impacts not only the mind but also the nervous system and physical body.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, somatic therapy doesn’t just focus on discussing your past experiences. It incorporates processing stuck trauma that lives in the body to promote healing on a deeper level.

By tuning into the body, we can release the stored tension that trauma often leaves behind.

Why does somatic therapy work for trauma?

Trauma is not only a mental experience; it also has profound physical effects.

By incorporating the body into the healing process, somatic therapy helps release stored trauma in ways that talking alone cannot. It gives you the tools to reconnect with your body, regulate your nervous system, and gradually release the physical and emotional tension that trauma leaves behind.

Unlike traditional therapies that focus solely on the mind, somatic therapy supports a holistic approach to healing. By acknowledging the connection between mind and body, somatic therapy can help you heal in deep, lasting, and transformative ways.

Begin your healing journey today!

Trauma affects not only our minds but our bodies. Somatic therapy offers a path to healing by addressing both, allowing us finally to feel safe again.

If you’re ready to take the first step toward healing from trauma, somatic therapy may be the path that supports you in reconnecting with your body, mind, and spirit.

Whether you’re struggling with tension, anxiety, or emotional numbness, somatic therapy can help you regain a sense of safety and ease.

Reach out today to schedule a consultation and start your healing journey!