Logan Steele
Trauma is a response to harmful or life-threatening events, which can have lasting adverse effects on mental and physical well-being. While the brain reconstructs the emotion, the body can remember trauma, even if we are unaware of it. Experts believe that trauma impacts the brain and body, causing the nervous system to stay on high alert. Although there is no scientific evidence, some believe that trauma can manifest as tension in the body, and that it can become stuck energy within the body. The psoas muscle, also known as the muscle of the soul, is believed to hold onto traumatic experiences on a cellular level.
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What You'll Learn
Yoga can help release trauma stored in the psoas muscle
The psoas muscle, often referred to as the "muscle of the soul", is believed to hold traumatic experiences on a cellular level. It is the deepest of the core muscles and is responsible for keeping us upright and protecting our center of gravity. The psoas is linked to our reptilian brain, the oldest part of our brain, consisting of the brain stem and spinal cord.
During a traumatic experience, the nervous system, including the brain, receives threatening information that the body is under attack. This triggers a survival response, and the psoas muscles tighten and contract as a means of defense and protection. The psoas is particularly affected during sexual trauma, forced to comply with the physical and emotional strain of the event.
The psoas muscle is also connected to the diaphragm through connective tissue, impacting our breathing. Fear and trauma can lead to breath constriction, contributing to chronic illnesses, mental fogginess, and emotional volatility. The psoas contains a large number of sensory nerve endings, and trauma compromises interoception, our ability to sense inner sensations.
Yoga can be a powerful tool to release trauma stored in the psoas muscle. Gentle hip-opening yoga poses are an effective way to release tension from the psoas. These poses help to soften and hydrate the psoas, lengthen and deliberately activate it, and initiate movement from the psoas, leading to greater awareness of the muscle and its actions. As buried memories may emerge during this process, it is essential to work with an experienced yoga therapist or teacher for support and guidance.
Through yoga, individuals can develop a "resourcing" and greater inner strength, healing from trauma and befriending both the psoas and themselves. This gradual process allows the body to process and release trauma responses that have been locked within for years.
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Bodywork and verbal therapy can be combined to treat trauma
Trauma is an emotional or physical response to harmful or life-threatening events or circumstances, which have lasting adverse effects on one's mental and physical well-being. The body can remember trauma even if one is unaware of it. With the right support, healing is possible.
Verbal therapy is ideal for developing a person's inner resources for handling a traumatic experience. Certain verbal therapy techniques, such as prolonged exposure (PE) therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, teach people to approach trauma-related memories and feelings gradually. Over time, the person can learn that these memories are not dangerous and that they don't need to avoid them.
Combining bodywork with verbal therapy can successfully bring a trauma to completion. The techniques known as myofascial release or myofascial unwinding are hands-on methods for initiating traumatic memory release. Myofascial work locates and physically frees the restrictions in muscle and surrounding fascial tissue that house traumatic memories. As a skilled therapist holds and unwinds these tissue tensions, memories may surface and release, causing the body to spontaneously "replay" body movements associated with the memory of the trauma.
This holistic approach allows the body to once again find balance.
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The body can manifest trauma through physical tension
The human body is incredibly complex, and its response to trauma is no exception. While the experience of trauma varies from person to person, it is clear that it can have profound and lasting effects on both mental and physical health. Untreated past trauma can increase the risk of serious health conditions such as heart attack, stroke, obesity, diabetes, and cancer, according to Harvard Medical School research.
Trauma is defined as an emotional or physical response to harmful or life-threatening events, with long-term negative consequences on overall well-being. When an individual is faced with an overwhelming or traumatic experience, their body may activate a survival response, preparing them to face the perceived threat. This is often referred to as the "fight, flight, or freeze" reaction, characterized by increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, muscle tension, and a slowdown in digestion.
The body's response to trauma is not limited to the initial event but can persist long after, manifesting as physical tension. This tension can be held in various parts of the body, such as the muscles, and is believed to be a result of the body's protective mechanisms. The psoas muscle, for example, is a deep core muscle that plays a crucial role in keeping us upright and maintaining our center of gravity. When trauma is left unprocessed, the psoas muscle can become tense and restricted, leading to discomfort in the back, shoulders, and pelvis.
Additionally, trauma can impact the nervous system, keeping it on "high alert" and preparing the body to face potential threats. This constant state of vigilance can result in increased stress hormone levels, such as cortisol, leaving individuals with a persistent feeling of being "on edge." The body's natural healing capabilities can be hindered by this ongoing stress response, making it challenging to move on from the traumatic experience.
To address and release the physical tension associated with trauma, a holistic approach combining traditional talk therapy with bodywork or mind-body modalities can be beneficial. Verbal therapy helps develop inner resources to cope with traumatic memories, while bodywork techniques such as myofascial release work directly on the physical tension held in the muscles and fascia, facilitating the release of stored trauma. Yoga, for example, has been found to be an effective tool in unlocking trauma from the body, particularly through gentle hip-opening poses that target the psoas muscle. By incorporating these practices, individuals can begin to process and release the physical manifestations of trauma, supporting their journey towards healing and recovery.
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Trauma can cause an increase in stress hormones like cortisol
Trauma can have a profound impact on the body, and it is essential to recognize that it is not just a mental or emotional experience but also a physical one. When an individual goes through a traumatic event, their body can remember it even if they are not consciously aware of it. This is because trauma impacts not only the brain but also the body, causing the nervous system to remain on "high alert" and ready to face potential threats.
One of the key ways that trauma affects the body is by increasing stress hormone levels, particularly cortisol. Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys. During stressful events, the body releases ""fight or flight"" hormones such as adrenaline, and cortisol is released afterward to keep the body on high alert and provide a boost of energy to deal with the perceived threat. While this is a helpful short-term response, chronic stress and the continuous release of cortisol can lead to long-term health issues.
Elevated cortisol levels over an extended period can contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. Additionally, high cortisol levels can lead to increased blood sugar, decreased insulin sensitivity, and increased fat storage. This can have serious consequences, such as diabetes, visual changes, kidney damage, and skin sores that do not heal. Therefore, managing cortisol levels is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being.
To address high cortisol levels, individuals can turn to various stress-relieving strategies such as deep breathing, yoga, and meditation. These practices have been shown to decrease the production of stress hormones and help regulate the nervous system. Additionally, working with a mental health professional is essential for processing trauma and reducing the underlying feeling of being "on edge." Therapies such as cognitive processing therapy (CPT), prolonged exposure (PE) therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy can be effective in addressing trauma held in the body.
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Trauma-focused therapies can be combined with acupuncture or massage
Trauma is an emotional or physical response to one or more harmful or life-threatening events or circumstances, which have lasting adverse effects on one's mental and physical well-being. The body can remember trauma even if we are unaware of it, and it is not just held in the muscles or bones but in the memory and emotional centers of the brain, such as the hippocampus and amygdala.
The psoas muscle, often referred to as the "muscle of the soul," is believed to hold onto traumatic experiences on a cellular level. It is the deepest of the core muscles and is responsible for keeping us upright and protecting our center of gravity. Yoga, particularly gentle hip-opening poses, is one way to release tension from the psoas muscle and unlock trauma from the body.
Massage and acupuncture are also therapies that can help individuals manage and reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression that are often associated with trauma and PTSD. Massage addresses stress and muscle tension, promoting physical relaxation and positively impacting emotional health. Acupuncture, on the other hand, works by rebalancing the body's flow of life energy ("qi") through the insertion of thin needles into key points, stimulating the body's self-healing mechanisms.
When combined with trauma-focused therapies, such as cognitive processing therapy (CPT), prolonged exposure (PE) therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, these touch therapies can be even more effective. For individuals with PTSD, touch itself can be a triggering event, and over time, touch therapies can help them manage their feelings relating to touch, trust, control, and relationship-building. The key to success is ensuring the patient remains in control during each session and builds trust with the therapist through open communication.
In summary, trauma-focused therapies can be effectively combined with acupuncture or massage to help individuals process and release trauma. These touch therapies promote physical and emotional relaxation, reduce stress and anxiety, and facilitate the management of PTSD symptoms and long-term recovery.
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Frequently asked questions
Trauma is an emotional or physical response to one or more harmful or life-threatening events or circumstances with lasting adverse effects on your mental and physical well-being.
The Psoas Muscle, also referred to as The Muscle of the Soul, holds onto traumatic experiences on a cellular level. The psoas is linked to our reptilian brain, the oldest part of our brain that consists of the brain stem and the spinal cord.
Combining bodywork with verbal therapy can successfully bring a trauma to completion. Bodyworkers can use myofascial release techniques to physically free the restrictions in muscle and surrounding fascial tissue that house traumatic memories. Yoga and other intentional movements can also be used to release tension from the psoas muscles.
Untreated past trauma can have a big impact on your future health. The emotional and physical reactions it triggers can make you more prone to serious health conditions including heart attack, stroke, obesity, diabetes, and cancer.
