MOD152 – Somatic Experiencing

Definition

Somatic Experiencing is a body-oriented approach to trauma resolution and nervous system regulation developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine. It aims to heal the physiological and psychological effects of trauma by focusing on the body’s innate ability to self-regulate and return to a state of balance. This approach recognises trauma as a response that becomes trapped in the body, rather than an event itself.

Explanation

Somatic Experiencing practitioners help clients renegotiate traumatic experiences by guiding them through body awareness exercises, gentle movements, and mindfulness practices to release stored tension, discharge stress, and restore nervous system balance. The therapy aims to promote resilience, self-regulation, and empowerment in the face of trauma.

This approach is based on the observation that animals in the wild, despite routinely facing life-threatening situations, rarely exhibit symptoms of trauma. Somatic Experiencing draws on the body’s innate ability to “reset” itself after stressful events, a capacity that can become inhibited in humans due to complex cognitive and emotional processes.

Key principles of Somatic Experiencing include:

• Titration: Gradually approaching traumatic sensations to avoid overwhelm and retraumatisation.
• Pendulation: Alternating between states of comfort and discomfort to build resilience.
• Resource building: Developing internal and external resources to support the healing process.
• Completion of self-protective responses: Allowing the body to complete fight, flight, or freeze responses that may have been interrupted during the traumatic event.

Somatic Experiencing can be particularly beneficial for individuals who have found traditional talk therapies insufficient in addressing their trauma symptoms. By focusing on the body’s responses and innate healing capacities, it offers a complementary approach to cognitive and behavioural interventions.

Evidence to Efficacy

Scientific research on Somatic Experiencing’s efficacy is growing, with studies suggesting potential benefits for trauma-related conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. While research is ongoing, there is evidence to support its use as a complementary approach to trauma therapy and nervous system regulation.

A study published in the “Journal of Traumatic Stress” found that Somatic Experiencing significantly reduced PTSD symptoms in participants compared to a control group. The study highlighted improvements in emotional regulation and a decrease in trauma-related symptoms (Levine, 2010).

Research by Payne, Levine, and Crane-Godreau (2015) in the “Frontiers in Psychology” journal demonstrated that Somatic Experiencing could effectively reduce symptoms of PTSD and improve overall psychological health by addressing the physiological aspects of trauma.

Somatic Experiencing techniques can alleviate chronic pain, improve flexibility, and enhance muscular balance and posture. The therapy focuses on releasing tension and stored stress in the body, which can lead to improved movement efficiency and reduced physical discomfort.

Somatic Experiencing is used in various therapeutic settings to address conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. It aims to restore nervous system balance and promote resilience and self-regulation in individuals who have experienced trauma.

Anecdotal evidence and client testimonials suggest that many individuals find Somatic Experiencing to be highly effective in relieving trauma symptoms and improving their overall sense of well-being. Clients often report feeling more balanced, grounded, and resilient after a series of Somatic Experiencing sessions.

Neuroscience & Physiology

Somatic Experiencing (SE) focuses on the interplay between the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the ANS. Trauma often results in the nervous system becoming “stuck” in a state of hyperarousal (fight-or-flight) or hypoarousal (freeze). SE helps you move out of these states by gently guiding your system back into its natural rhythm, known as self-regulation. This process involves activating the vagus nerve, which plays a key role in calming the body and promoting a sense of safety.

The approach taps into neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to rewire itself—by creating new neural pathways that support resilience and adaptability. By working with bodily sensations rather than re-experiencing traumatic memories cognitively, SE encourages the brain to shift from survival responses controlled by the limbic system (particularly the amygdala) to more balanced states governed by the prefrontal cortex. This transition fosters emotional regulation and cognitive clarity.

Physiology of Trauma Release

Trauma is often stored in the body as incomplete survival responses—such as tension, trembling, or immobility. SE works with these physical manifestations by allowing you to safely access and complete these responses. For example, shaking or trembling during an SE session is seen as a natural way for the body to discharge excess energy trapped during a traumatic event.

The process involves tracking physical sensations, known as interoception, which activates deeper awareness of your body’s signals. This heightened interoceptive awareness can help regulate heart rate variability (HRV), a key indicator of autonomic balance and resilience.

SE also engages the fascia – the connective tissue network that stores tension and emotional residues from trauma. Releasing tension in this network can improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and restore fluidity to movement.

Chemistry of Healing

Trauma impacts hormonal systems, particularly through elevated levels of cortisol and adrenaline during prolonged stress responses. Somatic Experiencing supports a shift in these chemical states by promoting relaxation and restoring homeostasis. As you work through sensations in an SE session, your body may release oxytocin, often referred to as the “bonding hormone,” which fosters feelings of safety and connection.

Additionally, SE encourages the production of endorphins – natural painkillers – and dopamine, which enhances feelings of reward and motivation. These biochemical changes contribute to both physical healing and emotional well-being.

Quantum Physics Perspective

From a quantum physics standpoint, SE aligns with principles of energy flow and coherence within the body. Trauma disrupts this flow, creating blockages or imbalances in your energetic field. SE works to restore coherence by releasing trapped energy at a cellular level, potentially aligning with quantum principles like *wave-particle duality*—where energy can manifest as both vibration and matter.

The process also resonates with concepts like quantum entanglement, suggesting that shifts in your internal energy field can ripple outward into relational dynamics or even broader systems. This perspective highlights how healing one individual’s trauma can positively influence collective well-being.

Polyvagal Theory Integration

SE heavily incorporates Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr Stephen Porges, which emphasises the role of the vagus nerve in regulating social engagement and safety responses. By working with sensations linked to vagal activation—such as deep breathing or grounding—you can access your body’s “safe zone,” where healing occurs most effectively.

The ventral vagal state supports prosocial behaviours like connection and trust, while reducing defensive reactions such as withdrawal or aggression. This physiological shift is central to Somatic Experiencing’s ability to resolve trauma without retraumatisation.

Somatic Experiencing offers a profound blend of neuroscience, physiology, and energetic principles to address trauma at its root. By working with bodily sensations rather than cognitive narratives, it taps into your innate capacity for healing while fostering resilience at both physical and emotional levels. Whether through regulating your nervous system, releasing stored tension, or restoring coherence within your energy field, SE provides an empowering pathway toward balance and wholeness.

Governing Body

In the UK, Somatic Experiencing is practiced by certified practitioners who have undergone specialised training through organizations such as:

The Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute (SETI)  and

The European Association for Somatic Experiencing (EASE).

What Good Looks Like

In the context of Somatic Experiencing, a good session should feel safe, empowering, and deeply attuned to your unique needs. Here are the key elements that define what “good” looks like – these are the make-or-break aspects that elevate the experience:

• You’ll feel an immediate sense of safety and trust as your practitioner creates a calm, grounded environment where you can explore your sensations without fear or judgement.
• You’ll notice that the session focuses entirely on your body’s responses rather than diving into the cognitive details of your trauma, allowing you to approach healing in a way that feels manageable and non-overwhelming.
• You’ll experience the practitioner guiding you gently to track physical sensations in your body—whether tension, warmth, trembling, or stillness—helping you stay present without becoming overwhelmed.
• You’ll feel supported as the practitioner helps you recognise moments of activation (heightened energy or discomfort) and guides you towards discharge or resolution, such as through shaking, sighing, or subtle movements.
• You’ll notice how the practitioner uses techniques like grounding or orienting to help you reconnect with the present moment and remind your body that it is safe.
• You’ll experience a gradual release of stored tension or energy as your body completes survival responses that were interrupted during traumatic events, leaving you feeling lighter and more balanced.
• You’ll feel empowered as the practitioner honours your pace, ensuring that any shifts are gentle and within your capacity to process.
• You’ll notice moments of relief or clarity as your nervous system begins to regulate itself, moving out of fight-flight-freeze states into a calmer, more centred state.
• You’ll leave the session feeling more connected to your body and its signals, with a heightened sense of resilience and trust in your ability to navigate challenges.

Remember, a truly good Somatic Experiencing session is one where you feel deeply supported in reconnecting with your body’s innate wisdom, allowing healing to unfold naturally and without force. It’s about creating space for transformation while honouring your unique journey. 

What to Ask a Practitioner

Here are some questions that can help people choose the right Rolfing practitioner, along with desired answers:

How do you help clients develop body awareness in Somatic Experiencing sessions?

Desired Answer: “I guide clients through gentle exercises to notice and describe bodily sensations. We start with neutral or pleasant sensations and gradually work towards more challenging ones.”

Can you explain how you use the concept of ‘titration’ in your practice?

Desired Answer: “Titration involves approaching traumatic sensations in small, manageable doses. I help clients slowly explore difficult experiences without becoming overwhelmed.”

How do you incorporate the ‘pendulation’ technique in your sessions?

Desired Answer: “Pendulation involves moving between states of relative calm and activation. I guide clients to notice these shifts, building resilience and expanding their window of tolerance.”

How do you help clients manage potential emotional overwhelm during sessions?

Desired Answer: “I closely monitor clients’ arousal levels and use grounding techniques if needed. We always work at a pace that feels manageable and safe for the client.”

Can you explain how Somatic Experiencing differs from traditional talk therapy in addressing trauma?

Desired Answer: “While we do talk, SE focuses more on bodily sensations and nervous system regulation. We work to release trapped energy and complete interrupted responses rather than just discussing traumatic events.”

Self-Study Resources 

Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A. Levine: Foundational book on Somatic Experiencing.

In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness by Peter A. Levine: Another key resource for understanding SE principles.

Related Therapies

Related therapies to consider alongside Somatic Experiencing include:

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) (MOD106): A structured program that combines mindfulness meditation and yoga to cultivate awareness and reduce stress.

Massage Therapy (MOD97): This hands-on therapy involves manipulating the body’s soft tissues to relieve tension, reduce pain, and promote relaxation. It can enhance the effects of Reiki by addressing physical discomfort and improving circulation.

Osteopathy (MOD121): A system of medicine that emphasizes the physical manipulation of muscle tissue and bones to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury, based on the principle that the body’s systems are interconnected and capable of self-regulation and self-healing.

Chiropractic (MOD29): A healthcare profession focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine, using manual adjustments and other techniques to improve function and alleviate pain.

Craniosacral Therapy (MOD90): A gentle hands-on technique that releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction.

Visceral Manipulation (MOD173): A gentle manual therapy that encourages normal mobility, tone, and motion of the viscera and their connective tissues.

Myofascial Release (MOD095): A soft tissue therapy for the treatment of skeletal muscle immobility and pain.

Feldenkrais Method (MOD56): A form of somatic education that uses gentle movement and directed attention to improve movement and enhance human functioning.

Alexander Technique (MOD09): An educational method focusing on unlearning harmful postural habits to improve movement, balance, and coordination.

Yoga (MOD182): A physical and spiritual practice that combines postures, breath control, and meditation. Yoga can complement Reiki by promoting physical flexibility and mental clarity, enhancing overall well-being.

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