Somatic Trauma Release And PTSD Study Results

By Brenda Cooper


When it comes to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder also known as PTSD, there are a number of alternative and holistic therapies which can help. In the case of somatic trauma release, the process is somewhat complex. For, the therapy focuses on relieving symptoms of PTSD and other conditions by focusing on the perceived sensations of the body by a client.

Sessions are often provided in person and involve tracking client experiences on an ongoing basis. Most often, practitioners are mental health professionals. Individuals working in this area often include clergy, chaplains, physical therapists, bodyworkers, physicians, nurses, psychotherapists, marriage and family therapists, psychologists and social workers.

While anyone can assist others with somatic experiencing, certified practitioners must go through a three year training process with additional work in the field to become certified. For, different types of trauma, including developmental and shock oriented require specific applications when it comes to treatment. As such, this training is useful in teaching individuals how to react to various symptoms of PTSD and associated conditions with the best methods possible.

In most cases, the practice is used to create a better sense of awareness of the present while helping release tension after a major or minor traumatic event. Pendulation, a part of the practice can often be used to move an individual from a dysregulated state, such as being frozen and not being able to move, to a regulated state in which the individual can once again function without assistance.

Resources related to Somatic experiencing are often defined as anything which can help the nervous system of a client return to a regulated state. Some of these resources can be remembering a close friend or relative, pet or other elements which have the potential to minimize stress. For, when an individual can be taken out of one state of mind and moved to a more positive one, the individual can often function better in all areas of life.

Clients often go through a series of emotional responses during the reregulation process. In some cases, this can be returning to regular breathing patterns, experiencing a warm sensation throughout the body or tears while the nervous system is returning to a regulated state. The intention of reregulation is to reinforce the inherent ability clients have to self-regulate before moving into a state of dysregulation in the future.

Shock and developmental trauma while similar do share differences. For example, shock trauma often occurs after a single traumatic event such as a physical attack, battlefield incident, earthquake, flood, hurricane or car accident. Whereas, developmental trauma occurs during child development when a child does not have sufficient, or experiences detrimental attention from primary caregivers such as parents and teachers. In addition, there can also be other traumas such as brain injuries or concussions in which the individual may need ongoing therapy in this area.

Two separate and randomized studies of somatic experiencing as a PTSD treatment were completed and published in 2017. The results of both studies suggested positive results as an effective therapy method for PTSD. Whereas, the studies also concluded that in order to understand those whom will benefit most from the treatment, further research studies are the best way to do so.




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