Remebering the body in trauma

In recent times I have noticed an increasing interest in trauma survivors and trauma therapy that focuses on the body with as much enthusiasm as the mind.

This is quite interesting because traditionally, trauma (and mental health in general) and been much more curious about the central nervous system then the rest of the physical body.

I don't want to get into where I think this separation of the mind and body historically occurred, that I spoke about on my last blog post.

What I am more interested in is what works for individuals recovering from trauma. I think clinicians sometimes have to be flexible with our understanding, our education and our frameworks. Personally, if something is not working, I think its best to guide people to explore all their options, but at the same time being there to make sure they are safe.

I have seen that working with the body in trauma can sometimes be genuinely very healing. Treatment modalities, like yoga, breathing exercises, meditation can sometimes help stabilise or "shift" traumatic responses quite unexpectedly, especially combined with good cognitive therapy and, medication if required.

Doctors are in a peculiar position because we understand that our research base is sometimes lagging the experiences of our patients. Evidence-based medicine is critical to deriving safety and ethics, but I feel its also important to trust the journey of patients, like a delicate dance between the past and possibility.

Somatic therapies such as Hakomi therapy, somatic experiencing therapy or yoga therapy, for example, are all examples of modalities that use the body as a way to engage with trauma. From my experience as well, a somatic sensation may be a safer way to contact someone's experience. Sometimes trying to access a traumatic event through cognition may lead to re-traumatisation.

It is important to remember the body within the processes of trauma healing, recovery and integration. Especially if this is also supported with cognitive therapy, social supports and all the other factors that allow an individual to integrate and heal.