Is there scientific evidence for somatic therapy?
Psychology practitioners often agree that traumatic events are “stored” in the body, or more accurately, symptoms of trauma can manifest physically and can also be released. Although evidence is limited, certain forms of somatic therapy seem to have a promising future as part of the treatment for trauma. Is There Scientific Evidence for Somatic Therapy? The short answer: Yes—but it’s still an emerging field. Studies are on the rise, and some somatic approaches have shown promising results, especially in trauma and PTSD treatment.The belief is emotions and traumatic experiences can become trapped in the body, and somatic therapy helps release this pent-up tension and emotions. Somatic therapy uses body awareness, breathwork and movement exercises to be more aware of bodily sensations and release stored emotions.Ever since people’s responses to overwhelming experiences have been systematically explored, researchers have noted that a trauma is stored in somatic memory and expressed as changes in the biological stress response.Somatic experiencing focuses on bodily sensations, rather than thoughts and memories about the traumatic event. By concentrating on what’s happening in your body, you can release pent-up trauma-related energy through shaking, crying, and other forms of physical release.
Is somatic therapy legitimate?
Somatic therapy can be helpful for the physical symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, chronic pain, and other health conditions. It works by helping you access and release the effects of stress or trauma stored in the body, so you can process difficult emotions like shame, anger, grief, or guilt. The Neuroscience Behind SOMATIC THERAPY and Mood Regulation — Polyvagal Theory: Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, this theory explains how the vagus nerve regulates emotional states. SOMATIC THERAPY activates the vagus nerve through practices like deep breathing, promoting a sense of safety and calm.
What conditions does somatic therapy treat?
Somatic therapy uses body awareness, breathwork and movement exercises to be more aware of bodily sensations and release stored emotions. This type of therapy is often used to treat conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, depression and chronic pain. Somatic healing is similar to Reiki in that it can be used to help someone shift out of fight-or-flight mode, but they’re two distinct types of energy work, notes Marcenelle. Reiki and somatic energy healing are both considered holistic, spiritual, healing modalities, she explains.