Tuesday, February 12, 2019

PTSD And Somatic Trauma Release Study Results

By Brenda Cooper


Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, better known as PTSD in modern culture often stems from experiencing a number of stressful events. While this is the case, there are a number of holistic and alternative approaches which can help those suffering from the condition. One of these approaches, while lesser known is that of Somatic trauma release or Somatic experiencing.

In Somatic experiencing, sessions are provided in person with client experiences and progress being tracked over time. In most cases, those providing services in this area are mental health workers. Although, others such as social workers, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, physicians, nurses, physical therapists, bodyworkers, chaplains and clergy can become practitioners.

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.

The practice works to promote awareness while releasing physical tension which remains after a major or minor traumatic event. Pendulation is another aspect of this type of therapy and involves moving between dysregulation and regulation. In general, a client is assisted in moving into an alternate state of mind any time the individual is dysregulated.

It is the return to this regulated state in which somatic experiencing becomes active. For, the practice is defined as anything which can help a client's nervous system return to a regulated state. In order to assist an individual in returning to regulation, resources can include reminding the individual of a beloved pet, relative or friend. For, when the individual can be taken out of the current state of fear and moved to a calmer emotion, the individual can often begin to function within a few minutes.

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.

Developmental and shock trauma are similar yet still share differences. For, developmental trauma often refers to individuals whom have birth defects or injuries to the brain which prevent the individual from experiencing a normal life. Whereas, shock trauma often refers to those whom were injured or shocked by military actions, car accidents, child physical or sexual abuse, adult victims of domestic or sexual abuse, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, physical attacks and other single or ongoing events.

Two different somatic experiencing based studies have been conducted on a randomized basis. In each study, individuals showed great promise when it came to treating PTSD through somatic experiencing. Upon completion of the studies, researchers also determined more research would be required before being able to understand how and why these individuals responded positively to the treatment.




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