A Mind-Body-Spirit Approach to Healing From Trauma
In today’s blog we explore what it means to understand trauma not just as a mental health issue, but as a whole-body experience that requires a comprehensive approach to healing. This innovative perspective challenges traditional therapy methods and introduces listeners to various healing modalities that address trauma at its core – in both mind and body.
The Mind-Body Connection in Trauma
The traditional approach to trauma therapy often focuses heavily on cognitive processing and talk therapy. However, knowing and understanding trauma intellectually doesn't always translate to feeling better. The missing piece lies in the body's role in storing and processing trauma. When we experience trauma, our brain's prefrontal cortex - responsible for logical processing - takes a back seat while our primitive brain takes over, activating our fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response.
Research in neurobiology has revealed that trauma isn't just in our memories but is stored in our physical body and nervous system. This explains why traditional talk therapy alone might not be sufficient for complete healing. Trauma can manifest through various physical symptoms, including anxiety, muscle tension, headaches, and even autoimmune disorders.
The body keeps track of our experiences, and until we address trauma at the physical level, complete healing may remain elusive. This understanding has led to the development of various body-based therapeutic approaches that work alongside traditional cognitive methods.
Understanding Trauma Through a New Lens
One of the most enlightening aspects of modern trauma work is the broader understanding of what constitutes trauma. Perlson explains that trauma is anything that is "too much, too soon, too little, too long, or too much, too long." This explains why different people can experience the same event differently, and why some develop PTSD while others don't.
Trauma isn't limited to major life events or catastrophes. It can stem from emotional neglect, childhood experiences, or subtle but persistent negative experiences. Even what appears to be a "good childhood" might contain traumatic elements if emotional needs weren't consistently met or if parents struggled with their own mental health challenges.
The impact of trauma can show up in various ways:
Chronic anxiety and unexplained fears
Physical symptoms like muscle tension and fatigue
Difficulty maintaining relationships
Persistent negative self-beliefs
Emotional numbness or disconnection
Unexplained physical health issues
Recurring patterns of self-sabotage
The Power of Alternative Healing Modalities
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful tool in trauma healing. Unlike traditional therapy, EMDR doesn't require extensive discussion of traumatic events. Instead, it uses bilateral stimulation through eye movements, tapping, or sounds to help the brain process traumatic memories while building internal resources for coping.
Reiki, another powerful healing modality, works with the body's energy field to release trapped trauma and promote relaxation. As Perlson describes, this gentle, non-invasive approach can help individuals, who aren't ready or able to verbally process their trauma, begin their healing journey.
These alternative approaches, combined with trauma-informed yoga and breathwork, create a comprehensive healing framework that addresses trauma at all levels - physical, emotional, and energetic.
Breaking Generational Patterns
Perhaps one of the most fascinating aspects of trauma work is understanding how trauma passes through generations. Modern science, through epigenetics, has shown that trauma can actually alter our genetic expression, affecting not just the individual who experienced it but potentially their children and grandchildren as well.
This generational impact manifests in various ways, from anxiety patterns and belief systems to unconscious behaviors and coping mechanisms. The good news is that this cycle can be broken. By becoming aware of these patterns and actively working to heal our own trauma, we can prevent its transmission to future generations.
Build a Positive Inner Momentum
If you're feeling called to explore trauma healing, know that you're not alone on this journey. While it may seem overwhelming, there are many paths to healing, and you don't have to take them all at once. Start small, with simple body awareness exercises or gentle breathwork.
Resources are available for you and those you love. Briana Perlson can be found on Instagram @the.holistic.emdr.therapist and through her website at thesanctuarywestlake.com, where she offers various healing modalities including EMDR, Reiki, and trauma-informed yoga.
Healing is not linear, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Find what resonates with you and move forward at your own pace, always honoring your body's wisdom and readiness to heal.
