Trauma can have a profound impact on a person's physical and mental wellbeing. Somatic therapy is an approach to healing that focuses on the connection between the mind and body, and how trauma can manifest in physical symptoms. One modality of somatic therapy is myofascial release, which can help release tension and stored trauma from the body's connective tissue. In this blog post, we'll explore somatic therapy for trauma and how myofascial release can help.

Trauma can be physical or *emotional*, but both manifest physically

What is Somatic Therapy for Trauma?

Somatic therapy is a form of therapy that recognizes the importance of the somatosensory connection in the healing process. Trauma is stored in fascia of the body; the connective tissue support system for the whole body. This leads to physical symptoms such as chronic pain, tension, and discomfort. Somatic therapy seeks to help individuals process and release these physical symptoms, as well as the emotional and psychological effects of trauma without re-traumatization.

Somatic therapy techniques can include Myofascial Release, breathwork, movement therapy, and body awareness exercises. These techniques help individuals connect with their bodies and develop a greater sense of bodily awareness. Through somatic therapy, individuals can learn to recognize and release physical tension and trauma, leading to a greater sense of wellbeing, less pain, and emotional stability.

Many of us store tension and trauma in our diaphragm.

What is Myofascial Release?

Myofascial release is a form of bodywork that focuses on releasing tension and stored trauma from the body's connective tissue. Connective tissue, also known as fascia, is a network of tissue that runs throughout the body and supports all our body’s tissues including nerves, blood vessels, organs, bone, muscle and brain tissue. When we experience trauma or stress, our fascia becomes restricted by the sticky ground substance that surrounds it, preventing it from gliding freely. This restriction can create up to 2000psi of pressure on pain sensitive structures creating pain, discomfort and other sensations like numbness, tingling, throbbing, vibration and heat.

Myofascial release involves applying gentle sustained pressure to areas of tension and restriction, allowing the fascia to release from the surrounding sticky ground substance, now less sticky from the application of pressure. Simultaneously, any stored emotions from trauma in that fascial restriction can be released resulting in less pain and an overall sense of lightness, once the heavy weight of that trauma is gone.

How Can Myofascial Release Help with Trauma?

Myofascial release can be an effective tool in helping individuals process and release trauma stored in the body without the re-traumatization that can occur with talk therapy. Emotional release and therefore trauma release may happen in the form of crying, yelling, shaking, groaning, or screaming during your appointment or may release after your treatment on your way home. Once released, most individuals feel an overall sense of emotional and physical freedom, and for some they may take more time to process the emotions that come up.

Research has shown that sustained pressure Myofascial Release can be an effective tool in treating a range of physical and emotional conditions, including chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. By releasing restriction and stored trauma from the body, individuals feel lighter with a greater ease of movement and wellbeing.

Myofascial Release Therapists use their intuitive guidance and somatosensory training to find areas of the body where there are fascial restrictions.

Is Somatic Therapy & MFR Right for You?

Somatic therapy, or somatosensory body work as it is sometimes known, through Myofascial Release is a powerful approach to healing trauma that recognizes the importance of the mind-body connection. It is an excellent option for individuals who are ready to release past trauma and haven’t had much success with traditional counselling or psychotherapy or want to supplement their talk-therapy with bodywork.

Most individuals suffering from the effects of past traumas are not aware that these past experiences can manifest physically, no matter how long ago they experienced them. Often times these individuals end up suffering from chronic pain conditions or notice pain creeping up in parts of their body seemingly out of nowhere or without injury. Pay attention to your body and consider whether you might be ready to start letting go of that trauma through somatic therapy & Myofascial Release if you have experienced:

Death of a family member or close friend

Divorce
Surgery
Dental Procedures & Surgeries
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Falls
Sports Injuries
Mental, Physical or Sexual Abuse
Toxic Relationships
Racism or Marginalization
Generational Trauma
Childbirth
Miscarriage

Our team of Myofascial Release Therapists will provide you a safe space for you to heal and release trauma in a quiet, private and judgement-free environment. You can also take advantage of psychotherapy services as an adjunct to your treatment.

Start at the point that works best for you, whether it is a week-long Intensive Treatment Program, a weekend Myofascial Pop-Up, or start with some self-directed learning by purchasing our online course; The Complete DIY Myofascial Release Self-Treatment Course

Book a consultation now to see if this is the right treatment for you.