Not everything is decided by the head alone! Your body also collects all the memories of the trauma. Here, physical therapy can help treat those traumas. Somatic therapy, also known as somatic experiential therapy, is a type of therapy that focuses on the connection between the mind and body. The term “somatic” itself means “related to the body.” During therapy, somatic therapists use a variety of techniques to help release repressed trauma trapped within the body. This body-centered method also helps prevent stress and tension in the mind and body. Read the article directly to know what somatic therapy is, its techniques, types, benefits and effects!
What does physical therapy mean?
Need a comprehensive guide to what somatic therapy is? Somatic therapy is a body-oriented approach with deep roots in somatic psychology. It works by managing a feedback loop that constantly circulates from your mind to your body and vice versa. It is different from typical psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy. In certain psychotherapies, the therapist only deals with the mind, while somatic therapy involves healing the body.
Practitioners believe that negative emotions experienced during a traumatic event can remain trapped within a person’s body. If these negative emotions are not released on time, they can lead to several mental illnesses and physical problems such as back and neck pain. Chronic pain is common in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). With the help of various mind-body techniques, therapists release fixed tensions that are hindering physical and emotional health.
What can physical therapy help?
Physical trauma therapy primarily focuses on the patient’s physical and emotional connection during treatment. This helps manage physical and psychological symptoms associated with mental health problems, such as:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- anxiety
- depression
- trauma and abuse
- Self-esteem issues.
- Complex sadness and sense of loss
- Dependence
- anxiety
- sexual function
- anger
- relationship problems
Benefits of physical therapy
Physical therapy works efficiently with the organic processes of the body’s systems to promote healing. The benefits of this potential treatment include:
- Improving body awareness
- Reducing symptoms associated with PTSD
- improved self-esteem
- stress reduction
- mood improvement
- better relationships
physical therapy techniques
Physical therapy is based on various techniques. Therapists use several methods to release negative emotions and trauma and create new connections between mind and body. The most common ones are:
1. Body recognition
Building body awareness is the first basic technique of somatic therapy. This allows a person to understand and observe subtle physical changes, which helps form a deeper connection between mind and body. This technique helps you become aware of areas of tension in your body and learn how to calm your emotions and thoughts. Patients are instructed to become aware of all these sensations through various mindfulness practices.
2. Securing resources
Resources, as the word suggests, are techniques for remembering the resources that bring security to your life. These resources may include your favorite places and people who bring you comfort, memories of positive experiences, relationships, strengths, and accomplishments, and even imaginary peaceful places. Instruct the patient to participate in the physical sensations of joy and peace associated with all these resources so that they can be used to overcome the physical discomfort resulting from the traumatic memory that may reoccur. will be done.
3. Titration
Gradual titration techniques involve a carefully moving approach that gradually introduces discomfort in small doses. It is aimed at releasing discomfort from the body and finding a way out from suppressed tension. This physical technique also helps patients develop patience and strength rather than pushing the memory away. Patients are taught to observe changes in their body as they define the memory. If the patient encounters a bodily sensation, the therapist will immediately address it.
Also read: Understanding the difference between counseling and therapy
4. Grounding
Grounding is a key technique in somatic therapy that physically connects patients to their surroundings and calms them in the present moment. This is helpful for patients who suffer from recurring flashbacks or anxiety related to specific memories. By feeling your body, grounding your feet, and relaxing your nervous system, it helps people connect deeply with their bodies and the Earth. The therapist asks the patient to list five things that can be seen, four things that can be heard, three things that can be touched, and two things that can be smelled, and he practices one slow, deep breath.
5.Pendulation
This technique is used in physical therapy and is characterized by titration and changes between stressful and non-stressful events. Patients may experience painful memories for a short period of time, but return to several resources that provide comfort and self-help. This allows for a gentle release of painful, trapped emotions. The therapist can repeat this technique many times to release the stored energy. Once the energy is released, the patient may feel anxious. The psychotherapist may return to a comfortable state. There are many benefits to visiting a psychotherapist, as patients can learn on their own how to enter a calm state.
6. Sequence
This technique refers to observing the sequence in which tension is released. For example, check for tightness throughout the body, from the chest and throat to catharsis through arm and leg movements and tears. You may feel trembling as your body releases tension. This requires a sense of mindfulness that helps patients develop a connection with their body. Observing your body’s sensations and impulses through this technique can give you a deep sense of relief and release.
Types of physical therapy
Below are three of the most common types of physical therapy. Please look:
1. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
EMDR therapy was first developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). the study Veterans who received EMDR therapy said they showed 77% recovery from PTSD after 12 sessions. This involves the use of physical interactive movements (i.e., the therapist’s pen and fingers) while recalling the traumatic experience. This therapy allows the person to focus on the traumatic memory while receiving bilateral stimulation (usually eye movements). This bilateral effect is associated with desensitization, leading to decreased emotions and clarity associated with traumatic memories. This therapy uses her eight-step treatment protocol, which includes taking the patient’s history, preparing, testing, desensitizing, mounting, full body scan, termination, and reviewing treatment results.
2. Sensorimotor psychotherapy (SP)
Sensorimotor psychotherapy is an effective body-centered therapy for trauma that helps heal symptoms of unresolved trauma. While typical talk therapy uses the patient’s words as access to treatment, this type of therapy relies on a person’s physical experience as a gateway to consciousness and mental health. Sensorimotor psychotherapy uses the body as the target of intervention and the primary source of information. This treatment often involves her three stages: safety and stabilization, processing, and integration. All these stages are marked as stabilization and reduction of traumatic symptoms, efficient collaboration with traumatic memories, and reintegration.
3. Hakomi method
This type of physical therapy focuses on mindfulness, the ability to see the present moment without judgment. This body-centered approach uses experiential methods and bodily awareness to foster positive change and growth. This may include examining habits such as lip biting, posture, hair twirling, and facial expressions that indicate unconscious beliefs about yourself. This therapy monitors core principles such as mindfulness, organicity, mind-body integration, unity, and non-violence. This method helps increase body awareness, maintaining tension in specific body areas, and may be helpful for trauma survivors.
Effectiveness of physical therapy
according to study, Treatment of PTSD-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with physical therapy has been found to be effective and increases the time needed to recover from traumatic events. However, further research is needed to clearly understand which patients benefit most from this type of therapy. This therapy also addresses symptoms related to anxiety, pain, and depression, and may improve quality of life for people without post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Still, some research is being done. Furthermore, although this therapy was helpful in treating neck myofascial pain, the effects were not improved when acupuncture was included in the treatment. Overall, experts say higher-quality testing is needed to analyze the potential benefits that physical therapy can offer patients.
Things to keep in mind if you are considering physical therapy
If you’re interested in considering physical therapy, follow these two important tips to get started.
1. Find the right therapist
The best place to start is to find a licensed professional. If you’re looking for in-person treatment, add “somatic therapists near me” to your search engine. You can choose from a list of professionals with experience in physical therapy. If you want a virtual experience, check out reviews of potential therapists online. Please note that not all mental health professionals have experience in physical therapy, so it is important to only seek out qualified professionals. Somatic Experiences International has a complete directory of practitioners that you can use to find certified therapists with years of experience in somatic therapy training and somatic therapy exercises.
Also read: Psychiatrist vs. Psychologist – What’s the Difference?
2. Prepare for your first appointment
Before making your first appointment, consider the physical and emotional goals you want to achieve through physical therapy. If you meet your therapist in person, be prepared for some healing through touch. Whether you visit your specialist in person or online, on the first day of your session, your specialist will ask you questions about your medical history and treatment goals. A practitioner explains what somatic therapy is and how it works. It is important to note that comfort is paramount. By feeling comfortable with your therapist, you will be able to share all your concerns openly, honestly, and without judgment.
summary
Physical therapy is a practical approach that goes beyond mental treatment. It also heals the entire body and nervous system. This type of therapy was developed to restore the patient’s health after traumatic and distressing events and refresh the mind-body connection. It typically focuses on physical sensations that occur in response to traumatic or complex memories. If you think physical therapy might be helpful to you, please seek the assistance of a qualified practitioner with specialized physical skills.