Can trauma haunt the body the same way it haunts memories?
According to Stephen Porges, PhD, and polyvagal theory, not only does the body remember a traumatic experience, but it can actually get stuck in the trauma response mode.
So even when the threat is gone, the body still perceives danger and its defenses stay engaged.
Why does this happen and how can we help patients with it? Stephen shares some background on polyvagal theory, and gives his own personal experience to illustrate how this works.
Check it out, it’s just 4 minutes.
Dr. Porges: What polyvagal theory proposes is that when an individual is in the situation of a severe life threat and is unable to utilize mobilization strategies or social engagement strategies to get out of that, the neuroleptic features of that challenge may put that person in this very shut down condition that is characterized by that old unmyelinated vagus, and coupled with that would be reduced blood flow, especially blood flow to the brain, and then one might get dissociative features with that. The issue is really not the horrendous experience of the trauma, but trying to make sense of the physiological response that that traumatic event triggered. For many people who have been traumatized, the event is bad enough but the consequences of that event on their physiology and on the nervous system is really what is profoundly changing their ability to adapt in the world.
Dr. Buczynski: If the body experiences physiological change in response to trauma, what might that look like and how could a practitioner help patients recognize and work with those kinds of changes? Well fortunately for me, unfortunately for Stephen, he’s had personal experience with this. Here’s what happened to him.
Dr. Porges: You see, once we use the word “choose” we are getting into this whole idea that there’s some almost option that we have. The answer is once we realize that our body is in our nervous system, it’s making decisions and it’s not allowing us to the table to to argue our point. The example I always like to use is my experience getting an MRI and on a psychological level I was extraordinarily curious. My friends do research on MRI’s and fMRI’s. I thought, “Well this is a really a good opportunity, so I went down. I had to go in to get this brain scan and it was the for a clinical issue. I got on to the into the MRI and I got exactly up to my eyes and I said, “Wait a moment, I need a glass of water.” So I took the glass of water and went back in and they pushed me into the magnet and got up to my nose. I said, “I’m out of here.” I had no idea that my body would respond with a panic attack from being in the enclosed space. People’s bodies respond in different ways and sometimes they respond without them even anticipating, so I had no idea that I had that type of vulnerability. I felt that in the sense my nervous system totally failed me because I wanted to get this test done and for me to get this test done I had to immobilize without fear, which is a very complex situation for the mammal and that’s really the critical point of life is our ability to immobilize without fear near other mammals, me, or other people in situations. I couldn’t do that in the medical environment and I was shocked.
Dr. Buczynski: If we can understand the impact of trauma at the polyvagal level, it can shed a whole new light on how to approach treatment with patience. The key is to recognize how a patient’s body behaves in response to the traumatic experience. That can go a long way toward helping them begin to heal. now I’d like to hear from you. How have you worked with patients who felt immobilized by fear without understanding what happened? What techniques did you find most helpful? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below and thanks for watching.
How have you worked with patients who felt immobilized by fear without understanding the reason for it? What techniques did you find most helpful? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.
I use EFT
At the age of 13 I survived through a severe earthquake. I’m 42 now and I will have fears. Body does remember. I thought I had made peace with my traumatic life experiences. Oh boy, was I shocked to learn something new about myself when I was on the table to have a c-section. I was swept by a panic attack I never felt so strongly in my post earthquake life. I stared saying to the surgeons that I had changed my mind…I didn’t want to have a baby:) All went well after painkillers. Fast forward now, 8 years later. I had to go get a mammogram. Couldn’t go though it the fist time. Then I was scheduled for biopsy. Couldn’t go. Had to cancel my appointment. Felt exactly like Dr. Porges is describing.
Dancing has helped me. But would love to her about other more effective modalities.
Haven’t read the comments yet. Doing it now.
Have to say that love Dr. S. Porges so much.
Hi
I work as a couples therapist and sexologist. I find that apart from working with breath work and guided meditations and awareness (and acceptance) of bodily sensations, the most powerful tool is the connection between the patient and my self. When the patient begins to feel completely accepted, safe and embraced the therapy begins to lift off. The healing is very much embedded in the relationship.
Absolutely true. Trauma recovery missing key is always without fail being healed through relationship with another (therapist or anyone else). And if you think about it, it makes sense. Ultimately a person can partake in their own receovery by themselves but true and final healing comes when someone else can hold a “safe and healing space and connection” for the trauma patient. I think this is because it completes and reboots the experience of that connection a new born makes with it’s mum.It’s quite a beautiful affirmation, actually.
Excellent information and explains much of my own experiences and subsequent recovery process. Am now delivering workshops to facilitate the discussion, recognition of trauma among First Nations peoples and I will reference your excellent information.
Aho,
Elaine M. Isaac
B.S.W PBE. M.S.W
Hopping for a link one book hard to understand.
I have actually had a similar experience getting an MRI. I felt fear, anxiety, my heart beat increased, and I felt trapped. What are some strategies that someone can use, at the on-set of a panic attack, or to assist you in following through with the MRI?
I wonder if Dr Pores and your experience with MRI ia actually a real physiological objection by your body to the extreme magnetic fields being put our by the MRI machine. You can t see them but they are very damaging to human cells. I know someone who has become electro-sensiitive to all forms of electromagnetic devices since he had an MRI that was putting out 8 milligauss (much more than the safety limit of magnetic fields whicih is 2 miilligauss).
So it could be that your body just knew if was actually unsafe.. and told that to your fight-flight system.
The control study would be to text yourself out with a cardboard box with similar dimensions (or a flotation tank) and see if you have the same reaction. If not, it is likely to be something to do with the machine. As above posts have discussed, humans are receptive to photons, which are produced by healing frequencies in the electromagentic spectrum. Some heal, some harm. MRIs harm, just likie chemotherapy (in the hope that the long term benefits will outweigh the short term harm)
they dont turn the Tesla fiels on until others are out of the zone. Otherwise everyone and metal….mri are not photon generators, they are magnetic field , read D.C. state, no frequencies. except “Yes, moving permanent magnets around creates low-frequency radio waves that have a traditional frequency measured in Hz.” presumably above the schuman range
In my experience, the best way to manage the anxiety of a closed MRI machine is to close my eyes well before the platform upon which I am lying slides into the cylindrical MRI. Without the visual awareness of being in an enclosed space, I am better able to focus on my breathing and remain calm. I once had an MRI of my head, which required that my head be enclosed in a cage prior to being slid into the machine. Recognizing what an incredibly distressing situation this would be, again, I closed my eyes and was able to manage my anxiety. Keeping one’s eyes closed for the entire duration is key, in order to avoid overloading on distressing sensory input, which in these circumstances is primarily visual. The machines are noisy, but not overwhelmingly so, and they are not at all painful. If you close your eyes and keep them closed, except for the noise, you might be able to have a nap in the course of the MRI.
I am very interested in learning more about Trauma Based Practice. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Hello, Ruth,
I was very interested in Stephen Porges ideas. Unfortunately I cannot understand him clearly because of my deafness. But my story is that I was born some six months before the start of WWII, and I am sure that there was much fear, and probably trauma, with the atmosphere of fear and with sounds of boming in the distance, etc. There could be something else that I have forgotten. Anyway,these days I have atrial fibrillation, on and off, much of the time, and easily triggered by anxiety. Mention of the vagal nerve system made me prick up my ears as I believe the vagal nerve is involved in body rhythms, and this could be the mediating mechanism, perhaps.
I would be interested to hear your ideas about this.
As a person working through P.T.S.D.
I am truly grateful to see there is a word that describes what has been happening in my body.
Being dropped from inside an elevator my world was pulled out from under me. Everything has been amplified, all the senses, tremors, jolts, anxiety, panic attacks, overwhelmed going out.
Reading all the different modalities has given me new avenues to try.
This is the first time I have ever posted anywhere about my experience, I am sharing to say Thank You.
Wow…I haven’t had that experience but I have that exact fear in regards to elevators…
I have been just past two years now, of finding my trauma out that happened about 40 years ago. I grew up with no memory of even the scars on my body. I could provide a huge list of physiological affects. I do not know, if I will ever find out what happened to me. I further grew up, nothing happened to me, it was only my sister.
Hi thank you. I’ve been afraid to go more than two blocks from my home its been 14 months since I was rushed to the hospital for shortness of breath and heart racing stayed 3 days now I’m afraid to see a doc for. Blood pressure was high also. I’ve been given lorazapam for fear it works when it wares off I’m a lot worse than before thank you Toran
The polyvagal theory is so enlightening.
Associative Awareness Technique has helped me a lot. It is a technique based on the polyvagal theory, originated by Scott Musgrave, PT. It involves hands-on sensory flow. I have spent my entire life (54) searching for how to heal from a horrible childhood. EFT, EMDR, TRE, SE — I can see how they would work, but I was too far gone for any of these techniques (yes, I tried them, and many many others). I had tried to muscle my way through life but when I turned 50, it was as if my initial trauma had laid eggs in the form of multiple, devastating betrayals. I realized things were never going to change and that the initial trauma was re-enacting itself through every form it possibly could. Suicide was my only hope of leaving the pain. I was not mentally ill – I was observing everything correctly.
Sensation had been corrupted for me. Every breeze, every color, every time of day, season of year, was infused with pain. My journey is not over, but my nervous system is in good order – I fall asleep within seconds every night, I have stopped taking Ambien, Ativan and Lexapro (was at 30mgs). I am a musician and my playing is growing miraculously as the old trauma patterns are extinguished. I also practice Feldenkrais with a practitioner who combines it with Tai Chi. Now I am left with the task of sifting though all the lies that I swallowed and trying to fix a life that was built on low self esteem. I don’t know if I can right my ship, but at least I know I wasn’t stupid, or weak, or culpable in any way.
Thanks for another great presentation. I am currently dealing with the neurological and physical effects of repeated traumas. I am in the process of trying to rewire my brain to deal with symptoms that manifest as fibromyalgia. I am finding yoga very helpful. When my knees shake with fear I continue the yoga or physio position and tell my body that there is nothing to fear, that the danger is passed. Slowly I am regaining strength in my knees as this is the area that has been most troublesome and painful. Unlike a physical injury, when I use my body for yoga or a long walk, the pain does not get worse. It is not a physical injury but a neurological shadow and so I am able to prolong my workout and the pain lessens and often disappears. The next day I am not in pain from overtaxing an injured body part. Each time I believe I am giving my body permission to let go of the trauma and fear. I also walk across a walkway overpass that spans a highway. This is terrifying for me and a few times I have turned back. However, often I am able to overcome my fear and walk across. I try to say a comforting phrase while I walk “I am in the palm of God’s hand” but often my brain scrambles the words until I am safely over, then I can think straight. I feel these scary challenges that do not pose any real danger or risk have helped me to put my fears behind be and allow my body to shake off the shadows of past trauma and fear. It is physical treatment with affirmations coupled with “risk” (as perceived by my brain) without danger of injury. Music helps too; when I play and sing it suspends my fears.
I’m inspired by your effort and progress and plan to look into Associative Awareness Technique. My trauma was early and I’ve been obviously ill for 60 years, now age 79. Though much better now than before, I’m still not well and am actively searching for my path to a full recovery. Best wishes from me to you
Dear Sir, haptotherapists regard the body as a history book.
We use the tactile sense(affermative touching) to make new positive memories.
In time the therapist sees the traumatic reaction in body change.I would love to tell about haptotherapy and give a demonstration of how we work.
I have been using the Havening Techniques®, also known as Amygdala Depotentiation Techniques, for over two years now and never cease to be astonished by the results. This approach, which has been developed by Drs Ron and Steven Ruden over the past 15 years, is based on an understanding through neuroscience, that when an experience is perceived, either consciously or unconsciously as traumatic, it is synaptically encoded (permanently) in the brain in order to promote on going survival. Therefore, if a triggering component from a traumatic event, which can also be conscious or unconscious, is encountered via any or all of the senses, a physiological and emotional response is activated.
By translating recent advances in neuroscience through extensive research, the Drs have developed a method that de links the encoded pathway through the application of Havening Touch®. Once a painful memory is activated by recall, Havening Touch® is applied to the hands, arms and face by the therapist or the client and distraction exercises are used. The application of touch once a distressing response has been momentarily activated is based on results from research that shows how when skin receptors are stimulated in particular areas of the body and face, a certain brainwave activity increases. This causes changes to occur in the brain that depotentiate (remove) the activated receptors responsible for triggering the physiological response resulting from the emotional and physical content of a trauma based memory. So the cognitive memory remains but the physiological response is de linked.
I have had life changing results personally and with clients using Havening, it works very effectively as a stand alone method but also blends beautifully with other models of therapy. It has been invaluable in situations where disclosure has been difficult because the client has been able to work completely content free. I am very passionate about this therapy and its potential to really make a difference. Havening has been developed to work with emotional distress and encoded psychological trauma, but also has other applications for stress management and personal development. I am always happy to talk to folks about the Havening Techniques® and we have a growing family of Certified Practitioners around the world. A research paper has also recently been published that was done in conjunction with Kings College in London demonstrating the benefits of Havening.
The power of touch is an incredible thing and is something that we do naturally to sooth ourselves and each other, it is what makes a baby feel safe in its Mother’s arms when it first enters the world, it makes perfect sense to me that it has a place in helping us to heal.
all learning is “synaptically encoded” the difference is utility after the event. The synaptic learning of archery is survival too. The man who lives with a drawn bow is not going to do well. that little diffrence is the issue of trauma, that and his brains inability to see the rest of anything but the possible killer beast lurking. but tht;s another synapse. or pattern of synapse, all too often short circuited patterns. Never heard of havening. EMDR, thumping in many registered trademark forms (this modern world!)
others swear by thumping on accupuncture meridians, or certain points. I personally prefer what worked to get sap up early in some sickly trees. Simple gi kung wacks with a wisk. I can self administer a full body set of that . No pain either.
More specifically, CST is the gateway to Somato-Emotional Release which directly addresses the body’s memory of what happened, through the Central Nervous System. Even more specifically, the CNS has a sub-station, the ANS which is the fight or flight system of the body. When traumatized, the F/F system can get stuck in “run”. The basis of CST/SER therapy is to “unstick” the F/F from high gear. We want a balance of the ANS, so that we can respond to both, run or rest.
I can’t say enough about the benefits of CSR for my Complex PTSD. My practitioner is also a Barnes’ trained MFR practitioner. Talk about releasing stuck energy! I, unfortunately, find the MFR too triggering. CSR has been a relief and amazing healing tool. I wish there was more awareness of this phenomenal practice.
Thank you and kuddos to Dr. Porges, It is the memory of the cells in the physiological, central nervous system and the autonomic nervous system (the fight or flight part) that the cranial sacral system addresses! Releasing the energy of the force vector of trauma, the energy cyst incurred, which frees the person of the repetitive pain and fear, by breaking the pattern of response (the energy cyst). Being safe now, from the past trauma, is freedom of function.
Proper conscious breath work is the key. Breathing to the top of the nasal passages wakes the unconscious brain. Pulling the breath deep into the abdominal area connects the unconscious brain to the body allowing the natural processing to do its best work. Both the inhale and exhale need to be directed as high as possible in order that the lower brain can properly discern and restore homeostasis.
taoist alchemy talks of breathing from the ground up, down again. I never get below my pubic bones. wneh you say directed high, i think along the linees of tantric energy, also part of our traditions. reath to the gate of heaven
I have found a combo of mindfulness practices and Trauma Release Exercise (TRE) to be both helpful and very practical.
Thank you for this wonderful video.
I myself have complex ptsd where not so much the memories are pressing but my body is out of control and filled with shock charge in my spine and other area’s. I can relate to what the doctor says: psychological you want to do something but physical is a totally different reaction regarding feeling unsafe, alert and panicking..even in a safe environment. Recently I started the traumatherapy Somatic Experience because psychotherapy did not help my body and nervous system enough. This form of therapy seems to address the traumatized body. Maybe you have allready heard from this form of therapy. If not, you could look it up
I am trained in the use of Psychodrama and as part of that training we are taught to take notice of the psychosomatic responses. In a drama or when I am doing one-to-one work when I notice a physical response that is not being expressed verbally. A couple of examples I will draw attention to the physical and give the direction to make more of the action or give expression to what is occurring. When working with sexual abuse clients it may mean providing a outlet physically to all that rage that has become trapped inside and using auxiliaries providing positive accommodation to the strikes etc. the individual then experiences satisfaction somatically.
Cardiac Coherence practised 3 times a day for 5 minutes each time. Good info online called Coherent Breathing by Peter Smith.
Also, cohenrence.com
Steven Elliot
At Steadfast Steeds, we utilize equine guided experiences for reconnection with the body. Horses offer non-judgmental feedback instantly…learning is accelerated in this setting because judgment is virtually non-existent. When we are in our false voice, the horse perceives “threat” and moves away. When we are authentic and congruent, the horse comes close. Clients also experience a calm in the presence of the horse due to coherent heart rhythm, which also peels away some of the protective layers they come with. Learn more about our innovative work
Wild Blessings!
I use the modality called Identity oriented Psychotrauma Theory and Therapy developed by Prof Franz Ruppert a German Psychotherapist. It accesses implicit memory of both somatic and psychic ruptures crated by emotional trauma in order for reparation to the psyche to occur. See alexandraasmith.co.uk and franz-ruppert.de
With Best Wishes
The first step may be the acceptance of having the condition. Often the impact of an involuntary and deep subconcsius physical reaction is exacerbated by the person’s negative judgment of it: ‘There is something wrong with me – this should not be’ and so further. Improvement begins by working from where one is right now, and for this, ‘where one is right now’ needs to be accepted, however, without resigning to the situation. It is not always necessary to analise the origin of the stored physical vibration, although it can assist in coming to an understanding. What can help is to fully allow the emotion and the related physical behaviour, and then slowly, little bit by little bit regain control. A fine and effective method for this can be found in Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE – David Berceli)
Hello I work with the EFT- Emotional Freedom Technique and MR- Matrix Reimprinting. EFT works beautifully to clear the bodies fright/flight responses which often then allows a memory to surface as the client is then feeling safe/r. MR then allows the healing and integration of the past self in the memory for total resolution. NST- Bowen Therapy also is very effective in releasing the deeper underlying physical responses of being guarded.
Thanks to NICABM’s webinars, I have learned how to take care of my nervous system. If something has rattled me, I understand it’s my nervous system that’s rattled and that my primary focus needs to be soothing and caring for my nervous system. I make sure I have good nutrition (through diet and supplements, i.e., not letting my blood sugar drop, making sure I get enough B vitamins, etc.), enough rest, sometimes a hot bath with epsom salts, or some yoga moves, and especially deep breathing. With these simple, basic, doable tools available to me at any time (you can always breathe deeply no matter where you are or what is happening), I can change my response to whatever is happening by taking care of my nervous system. I also know when it’s time for me to withdraw if/when my nervous system becomes overstimulated and therefore vulnerable to being triggered. It’s not that I don’t get rattled anymore, but when I do, I’m not rattled as much, nor as long, and it’s so much easier to come out of it and re-set my system. Knowing trauma is held in the body has really helped me release so much — and then reap the benefits emotionally and mentally. Understanding that my nervous system (and therefore nervous system care) is at the core of my well-being and healing has helped make me stronger and more capable in every area of my life. Thank you so much for this! 🙂
I use somatic experience approach along with some other bodywork tecniques as the Feldenkrais Method, Mindfulness, Eutony.
I work with chronic fatigue patients using a model which emphasizes the importance of fight and flight, very reasonably running over and over in very unwell clients. Teach people how to switch it off – I use a technique called the lightning process and utterly extraordinarychange is possible.
I´have chronic fatigue, can u give more information about this model?
Brainspotting by David Grand, Ph.D: The Revolutionary New Therapy for Rapid and Effective Change, 2013. Brainspotting accelerates the process of resetting the nervous system.
Learning Alexander Technique gave me tools to understand how my body was re-creating the trauma “posture” and triggering panic attacks. When I learned how to release tense muscles, the amygdala released too and I was able to respond rather than react to what was happening.
This is some very valuable information, thank you all for your contributions and point of view.
Through this type of compassionate sharing we all learn from one another different methods.
We see and experience that there are others going through very similar situations, we start to feel a sense of unity and community.
This experience of trust and unity opens the door to the truth inside of us – that we are all one –
And the experiences of trauma have told us the opposite. How we have felt separate and isolated
In our fragile sense of selves. This illusion of self is at the very root of the pain and dysfunction that continues to hold firm. As the true awareness that we are expands and unfolds, we become ready and willing to deeply meet that hurt parts inside of ourselves, offering them the deepest of compassion and tenderness.
The gift and beauty of Traumatic experiences is often that they shock us into a place where normal separation consciousness cannot exist happily, thus being given the opportunity to look deeper into the false ego self – and emerge even more understanding, compassionate and awakened to our full potential and our natural beauty and unity than ever before.
I have found in my experience, tapping EFT to be extremely helpful throughout this process.
I feel that almost everyone has some type or degree of Trumatic blockage within them no matter how small or hidden.
This most often results in a false idea and belief system about oneself. That is that we are not good enough in some way. In some very primal and centralized way. And so we feel unworthy of love connection and tenderness from others and from ourselves. This can create Great shame and dis-ease
As it snowballs and cycles again and again.
Feeling grounded and safe in one’s body is essential as we know.
Going through the tapping technique on unworthiness has resulted and huge breakthroughs for me and others.
As I work through the traumas and memories that I stored in my body years ago ( as a survival mechanism ) I realize that I did myself a huge service by talking those away until I was truly ready to confront them and allow them into consciousness I realize that I did myself a huge service by talking those away until I was truly ready to confront them and allow them into consciousness.
The level of gratitude and joy that has come as a result of this is indescribable.
The fear symptoms like: Cold and clammy hands and feet, rapid heartbeat and liteness in the stomach, and shallow breathing serve as reminders to come back into the body and examine what is true in this moment – Beyond what the mind is perceiving and believes.
Meditative self inquiry has also been an excellent tool.
It’s systematically disengages the thoughts and beliefs of what we thought we were falsely.
So in discovering what we are not, all that remains is what we inherently are.
And as we discover that we are not a separate isolated self, alone in a dangerous world and universe,
We can uncover the effects of trauma right at the core,
The core of the false self.
Depending on the strength and severity of the trauma, it can be extremely essential that we are accompanied by a loving practitioner that can help us feel safe in our own bodies as we meet this energy.
This is actually the place I find myself in right now.
I feel drawn to cranial sacral therapy And I am seeking a practitioner Who is sensitive and aware too much of what I wrote above.
The beauty I have found in my experience with trauma is how much more intense and amazing this miraculous experience of life is on the other side Of the illusion that the trauma Bynes two and keeps solid until we shake it loose.
It’s just as they say, When one has experienced the entire range and contrast, The good and beautiful and positive things feel that much more strong vivid and real.
In this way I live and experience everything that has happened to me as the most incredible blessing and opportunity to be transformed and emerge into the unshakable, raw, powerful, loving presence that I always was and that I share with all beings.
I am deeply excited to move more and more into this experience and truth.
And I am so grateful for everyone involved in the healing of us all, as one.
Leif
You are talking about a truth seeking spiritual path. I have been on this path for 44years. The truth that emerged about 20 years into this seeking was not what I expected. It has, however, had the effect of my opening to self love, turning around the rage and self hatred hiding in my weakened body. Now, finally, I do see and understand the gifts this journey brings as we unfold our spiritual beings in forgiveness, gratitude and peace. Thank you all for your sharing.
Susan.
Dear Ruth, Thanks, as ever, for your news.
Re Post-Trauma Reset, having personally experienced three traumatic events and so-called ideopathic chronic spinal and other joint pain for which I eventually found my own cure, I later, courtesy of NICABM, discovered Stephen Porges and read his book, Polyvagal Theory (twice) which confirmed several of my hypotheses about P-T resets. For example, 1) Contemplative breathing, sitting or lying (with knees up) for a minimum of 2 (yes, just two) minutes, allows for full abdominal swelling on the intake of the breath and breathing out through the open mouth; it must be practiced day after day without fail, preferably before 8am (as a warm up and as per the Eastern martial arts) for full effect; 2) Contemplative hand-warming/clasping (as per Dr Patricia Norris) whenever needed; 3) Standing, torso-twisting with measured breathing is another effective practice (as per Qigong and Tai Chi); and of course contemplative finger-pressure on neuro-lymph points followed by tapping on selected meridian end-points. I have taught these moves to many people, from 12 to 85 years old, with noticeable relaxation and resolution, sometimes on the same day, the majority after about 21 days of relaxed daily attention. Freeing the Vagus Nerve bundle from constrictions – at the neck and in the abdominal and chest cavities, and therefore its tone, it seems to me, is THE dynamic link between the mind, muscle, contemplation and breath, heart-rate, relaxation and recovery, that runs through each successful story.
Well said! Thank you for your wise words. Joy, gratitude, and profound peace.
Just as the polyvagal theory itself helped explain the neurology of the panic events in my life, by bringing a reality-based implicit experience into a reality-based explicit empirical experience….so does the recalling (though hypnosis and journeying) bring to clarity, the pre and perinatal experiences which were implicit (preverbal) to an explicit (verbal) capacity.
EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE and EXPERIENTIAL RECALL have diverged for me by their common root–neuroscience– to help integrate (and explain) what brought about the panic attacks(for example) in the first place.
When you are taken off-balance by life experiences (these felt like life and death events) which happened preverbally (and therefore *disappear into the unconscious mind*), it takes some doing to excavate them. You might want to excavate them out of amnesia, however scary and uncomfortable, to stop them from triggering you, over and over again. But also you might want to have these become explicit to end an addictive behavioral loop, or unbridled rage, a very dysfunctional behavior.
Stephen Porges panic attack account has quite a strong similarity to emotional dynamics of the BIRTH PROCESS…being caught in the birth canal, right before he emerged and was born. This dread fear during the birth process is well-documented statistics by pre and perinatal psychologists who use hypnosis to help clients recall and release what triggers the fear in later life. They say that the birth experience is the MOST traumatic experience in one’s life and traumatic parts of it are re-experienced thereafter, (they RECAPITULATE) unless you recognize them, make them explicit–verbalized– conscious. It makes total neurological sense that a baby with on 25% of the brain (the reptilian lower-brain) built, would automatically default to the LOWER VAGUS–because that’s all that was THERE!
Hence, the APPPAH conference, now in session in Berkeley, CA., is calling attention to the URGENT need to create peaceful, safe, most natural births possible–having lists miles long of what hampers a successful, easy birth and bonding. Check out Ray Castillino and Myrna Martin to discover somatic unwinding from birth perinatal and childhood traumas.
1.- establish rapport and keeping it thorough out the treatment.
2. using what my clients WANT TO EXPERIENCE when the T. experience gets triggered.
3. explore what would they see, hear and feel having learned how to switch 🙁 to :).
4. Practicing the desired state by learning the ” Act as If.” tool.
5. Educating/learning the functions of the LIMBIC system. The responses of the amygdala…..I have used different visual aids and the great U Tube …..
6. Encourage my clients to practice their innate abilities to be consistent and daring to staying in the present. Many of my clients love the word TANGIBLE. Which, they practice when the t. memory is triggered.
I also show them the picture of the VAGUS nerve.
I also taken them through a self hypnosis/imagery sensations.
I loved being with my clients as they succeed in getting their OUTCOME.
According to the feedback I get; my clients tell me they can experience my love and commitment to help them and my accent ( I am Mexican, no back to Mexico after being the US 50 years.)
Self-compassion and Compassion Focused Therapy have been the most healing for me. Developing a caring attitude towards all parts of myself and practicing soothing breath are just two ways I’ve learned to help myself when I’m distressed.
How wonderful that some therapists are taking healing trauma to the next level of truly effective treatments. I have Dr. Porges wonderful book on polyvagal theory. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk’s book The Body Keeps Score goes into effective therapies for trauma such as EMDR. Pat Ogden’s work is also excellent. I am so appreciative of NICABM for making these leading edge professionals’ work readily available to us.
interestingly, I dropped in because PVTheory has a section in van der Kocks book, which is my text in a criminal justice course. Very practical application yes? So we move into yoga, taichi, and no-mind (chattr) for the problem children from 1 to 99 who are punished not “patient”ly corrected away from their fears and acting out. For every 100 prisoners, lets round it to a conservative 90 in need.
Thanks all for being here.
In the movie by Michael Moore, there is a fragment of a current experiment in Norway, where prisoners have the key to their own cell, are allowed to make videoclips, form bands, play music etc. no need for yoga, tai chi etc. steering people a direction possibly not authentic to their own beings. There have also been experiments with prisoners doing art, taking vitamin supplements etc. Interesting is the supplementing with Niacine after WW II to make returning veterans less violent. Recent research showed it reduces hamsters being cannibalistic with their own young.
Because our training requires the student to come at least twice per week for at least three years we are able to observe body language in many situations. Personally having experienced trauma Taekwondo training gave me opportunities to discover physical reactions to contact with others, loud noises and unexpected situations in a safe place that provided specific solutions, therapeutic movement, breathing and repetitive mental trying to change brain chemistry. Underneath that movement the brain changes over time and as a result “reactions” change physically and mentally. The mind and body become one rather than separate entities. We develop the ability to manage are reactions and emotions through awareness. Breathing has also been valuable to myself and those willing to learn. Oxytocin breathing is a technique that vibrates the vagus nerve when done properly and creates the production of oxytocin which calms the body and neutralizes the fight or flight response. Martial arts is delivered in many different ways, this has been my experience and course of action and study.
Thank you for sharing. I am not an academic only an LPN who has been studying martial art for many years and through continuous success with many children and adults who would otherwise be “dismissed” from school, work or other areas of their life have proven many people wrong. My mission is and always has been to educate the educators about the benefits, the miraculous benefits of Taekwondo training with a professional school/Instructor. We can change education as it is today.
Catherine Chamg
Master InstructorFounder
Chang’s Taekwondo America
I support schools in supporting students with challenging behaviors in California. Martial arts, yoga, movement are components of every beginning when working with traumatized student populations. I wanted to reiterate the importance of movement, in the classrooms and out of the classroom, and thank you for sharing this exceptional part I teach which is becoming aware of our bodies and minds, creating self compassion and instilling safety in classroom settings.
Based on my own experience of PTSD and recovery, it is clearly not a simple issue. I am trained in various modalities including NLP, Hypnosis, EMF Balancing Technique, Reiki, Quantum Touch and latterly Soul Healing with Dr. and Master Zhi Gang Sha. In my ongoing search for solutions and experiences as a practising Hypnotherapist, I discovered that the root cause of so much of what drives us is based on past life experiences/traumas which keep coming up until we pay attention and honour and heal them. Through MasterZhi Gang Sha who is a Doctor trained in Western medicine as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine, I discovered that Fear is the primary emotion associated with the Water Element, and the primary organs associated with the Water element are the kidneys. The kidneys are located in the lower part of the body, where the foundation energy centres are located. So when you boost the foundation energies, the kidneys start to heal and also equally importantly, energy/light flows up the spinal cord to nourish the brain and healing of the emotion of fear starts to happen. We know that the brain is central command if you like for the electrical systems in the body (Becker-“The Body Electric”). Master Sha teaches that while we are made of Energy and Matter, central command is the Soul (consciousness, information, message). So when you heal the soul first, healing of mind and body will follow. A simple concept and it works!
Thank you for the presentation! I hope you will do a series on this topic. I have greatly benefitted from Dr. Francine Shapiro,’s work with EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), also called “bilateral” which includes “tapping” your leg or arms with a finger or even tapping your feet, alternately from side to side. Although the understanding of what this does is incomplete, nevertheless it works. I was able to work through child neglect experienced at a preverbal stage. As a result my anxiety was tremendously reduced. I had a very patient therapist who worked with me before I felt safe enough to try this. It wasn’t the method I feared, it was the internal fear of experiencing whatever was “back there”. Even though I could not verbalize events, I had images (not true memory images).
I have since used a brief version of this with patients with anxiety and panic attacks. It works and they can learn the technique. It is empowering. I know there are other excellent forms of body work therapies.. I live in Redlands, CA., where the mass shooting occurred this week. Trauma is occurring all the time in our society. How can we reach person’s with severe trauma who have no access to mental health? The need is great.
Hi Nancy,
I live in the San Gabriel Valley and would appreciate a referral to the therapist you used.
Thanks,
John
John, there is a therapist in the South Bay who works with people who have had trauma and uses EMDR. Her name is Dr. Tammy Ichinotsubo-Ezzi. Phone: (310) 544-6899
I like to work with relationship-oriented-meridian-based-psychotherapy and counselling, ROMPC, with techniques after Al Pesso’s psychomotor systems and mindfulness exercises
CranioSacral therapy and trauma release exercise
Can you offer any more information or books, articles and/or websites that will give more information on cranial sacral therapy and trauma. I have become interested in this because I read somewhere that craniosacral influences the Vagus nerve and reading The Polyvagal Theory increased my curiosity so much more, but I haven’t been able to find a whole lot of information on this. I am a mental health therapist and licensed massage therapist looking for ways to incorporate the body into trauma healing.
Work done with veterans
I have heard much about CranioSacral therapy and its work with veterans; however, most of their studies are conducted within their own institute, are not double blind, and do not include other therapies which might have just as powerful of an influence.
There are many techniques found in various forms of Kinesiology (many which have been adapted by the psychotherapeutic community). Tapping, such as presented by those in the Energy Psychology community, is well-researched and shown to have a profoundly positive influence on trauma.
Work with trauma using Mindfullness ., very body centered .
Sometimes the physical trauma has caused the head to mis-align and go off its atlas bone, necessitating the adjustment of the neck/head, in one method by an upper cervical chiropractor, or other method of choice…..this will take pressure off the nerve and/or artery and allow for proper flow to begun again!!
This has been my experience, Isabella! It has been 22 and 12 years since the two traumatic accidents. I finally found an massage healer who is working with my meridians and my neck that seems to be finally helping my body return to its natural state and alignment. This is healing my nervous system. Grateful to have found her and thankful for confirmation here.
…to add to my original statement, the patient is then denied proper and requested physical intervention that would assist in the prevention of furthering more injury if not the healing of the original injury!!
He makes very good points!! However, what if the patient has physical injuries to the nerve as well as other nerves and areas of the brain, and who is then mis-taken for a psychosomatic response when in actuality it is a physical injury….what happens to this person when the psychiatric or medical community tries to hide the mistake thereby adding insult and more injury to the individual?? Then you will have caused another problem by adding another dimension to the original injury….
Diaphragmatic breathing and meditation to calm the central nervous system . As a yoga teacher I often suggest and allow people to feel and acknowledge the physical sensations in the poses,encouraging them to understand it will pass, that their thought projections and feelings of not safe are in fact an illusion. Practice , practice , practice safety and self compassion. Knowing that these traumas are stored in the tissues, every cell, is paramount in leading people through Asana . Only by personal experience am able to communicate this. Namaste Ruth.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I definitely see this happening in clients and am very passionate about this issue of understanding trauma better. Coming from a mind/body/spirit perspective, I use meditation but trauma on the body will often not allow someone to feel safe enough to actually experience the full benefit of meditation, at least not initially. You are right, they cannot just “choose” to think differently when their bodies are hijacking their thought processes. To work with the body and trauma, I also include visualization exercises to help clients integrate the current self with the younger wounded self and heal those stuck points. That has been very effective. I wanted to add that when clients experience traumatic reactions in the nervous system for years, they have the added physical health issues, which often includes fibromyalgia, migraines, lupus, allergy reactions, and more. It is not uncommon for clients to work on emotional issues and then shut down for days, even weeks, with migraines, a lupus flareup, etc. I tend to believe we can’t force it and can’t fix it, but instead we open up a safe space and allow their own healing to unfold. Each client’s process is unique.
Firstly to maintain the working alliance every effort to avoid triggers in session is needed to applying a titration approach to looking at things… weeks of drip feeding… so that they keep the frontal cortex on line and can experience elements of safety & core conditions (to subtly repair) along side the work of reduction around stabiliation techniques how to alert people to help if they do face a trigger… so lots of preparation work… then it is more about reframing what is experienced into bite sized chunks that can be chewed over slowly… along side careful monitoring of where they are jn the window of tolerance!
I am really interested in this from a personal point of view. Myself and several members of my family have Long QT Syndrome and we all suffer a variety of stress responses to anxiety provoking stressors. We have all learnt to adapt and partially self manage the symptoms to some extent, but also have ICDs and various beta blocker medications. I wonder if Steven Porges has any knowledge and/or advice on this particular presentation (i.e. Long QT Syndrome type 2), and could he share if he has please? Thank you, Michelle Brown.