It is how we feel and interpret emotions, physical sensations, including sensations of movement, pressure, pain and pleasure.
How somatic therapy works
When a person experiences a stressful or traumatic event, the body and mind respond. This response is called the flight, fight or freeze response and is built into us as a survival mechanism and is activated in the face of a threat or as protection against potential danger.
Somatic experience is based on the theory that traumatic memories can become trapped in the physical body and lead to symptoms after the danger of that traumatic event has passed.
With the help of somatic therapy you can recognize or become aware of the sensations in the body from those traumatic memories that can be processed and released, relieving the symptoms.
What does somatic therapy treat?
Somatic therapy can treat a variety of problems and disorders, especially those that involve the mind-body connection or that are influenced by traumatic experiences and stress. It can help manage and heal past or present trauma, as well as symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and sleep disorders.
For those with chronic pain, somatic therapy can help manage and reduce pain sensations through body awareness and relaxation techniques.
Somatic therapy can be helpful in managing and treating dissociative disorders by helping to reconnect with body sensations and integrate trauma experiences.
It can also treat depression, anger, insecurity, grief, self-doubt, physical pain, stress, trauma and unwanted thoughts.
Techniques used in somatic therapy
There are many different techniques that are considered somatic therapy or can be used as part of somatic therapy. For example, yoga is sometimes considered somatic therapy because it focuses on the mind-body connection for physical and emotional healing.
– Breathing exercises are often used as part of somatic therapy to help calm the body and mind and bring awareness to bodily sensations.
– Mindfulness-based techniques strengthen awareness of the outside world, thoughts and the way the body feels. They can be used as part of the process of making connections between sensations and stress.
– Meditation and breathing exercises are often used as a way to calm the body and mind and increase awareness.
– Body and thought awareness is a way to consciously notice thoughts, emotions and bodily sensations. It can be used as part of the somatic therapy process.
– Body movement is sometimes used as a way to help increase awareness, identify areas of stress and process stress for healing.
– Positive imagery can be used to calm the body and mind to both aid awareness and release stress once it is identified.
It is important to note that somatic therapy can be integrated into a larger therapy plan or used as the primary form of therapy, depending on the individual’s needs.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow DCMedical on Google News as well
Did this article help you?
Follow the DCMedical Facebook page and the DCMedical Health Dose Instagram page and access more useful content for your health, disease prevention and treatment, first aid measures and useful advice from doctors and patients.
