When the Trauma Lives in Your Body
You've talked about your traumatic birth. You've told the story to your partner, your friends, and maybe even a therapist. You understand, intellectually, what happened. And yet, your body still feels like it's in danger. You're jumpy and on-edge, you have chronic pain you can't explain, and you feel a profound sense of disconnection from your own skin. This is a sign that the trauma is not just a memory in your mind; it is a story being held in your body.
When trauma is stored physically, traditional talk therapy alone may not be enough to bring relief. This is where somatic therapy can be a powerful and transformative approach. This guide will introduce you to the principles of somatic therapy and explain how this body-focused work can help you release stored trauma and learn to feel safe in your body again.
"Why Do I Still Feel Unsafe?"
This is the core question for so many trauma survivors. Your rational brain knows the danger has passed, but your nervous system is still stuck in the "fight, flight, or freeze" response it activated during the traumatic event. The physical symptoms of birth trauma are your body's way of telling you that it has not yet completed that survival cycle.
The Body Keeps the Score: An Introduction to Somatic Work
Somatic therapies are based on the principle that the mind and body are inextricably linked. They understand that trauma is a physiological event, and therefore, the body must be included in the healing process.
What is Somatic Therapy?
A "Bottom-Up" Approach to Healing
Traditional talk therapies like CBT are often called "top-down" approaches. They start with your thoughts (the "top" of your brain, the cortex) to change your feelings and behaviors. Somatic therapy is a "bottom-up" approach. It starts with the sensations in your body (the "bottom" of your brain, the brainstem) to help your nervous system feel safe, which in turn calms your emotions and thoughts.
How It Differs from Traditional Talk Therapy
While a somatic therapy session does involve talking, the focus is less on the story of what happened and more on the physical sensations that arise as you talk. The therapist will gently guide your attention to what you are feeling in your body in the present moment.
How Somatic Therapy Can Help Heal Birth Trauma
Completing the Survival Response
During a traumatic birth, your body may have wanted to fight back or run away, but you couldn't. Somatic therapy helps your body complete those "stuck" survival responses in a safe, therapeutic environment, allowing the trapped energy to finally be released from your nervous system.
Releasing Stored Tension and Physical Symptoms
The chronic muscle tension, headaches, and digestive issues that often follow trauma are a result of this trapped survival energy. Somatic work can help alleviate these physical symptoms by addressing the root cause in your nervous system.
Learning to Feel Safe in Your Body Again
A traumatic birth can make you feel like your body is an unsafe place to be. Somatic therapy is a gentle, gradual process of re-establishing a sense of safety and trust in your own skin.
What to Expect in a Somatic Therapy Session
It's a Gentle and Collaborative Process
A somatic therapist will guide you, but you are always in control. The process is slow and gentle, designed to never overwhelm your nervous system.
The Focus on "Titration" and "Pendulation"
- Titration: This means working with very small, manageable "drops" of traumatic sensation or memory at a time.
- Pendulation: The therapist will help you gently shift your attention back and forth between the difficult sensation and a place in your body that feels neutral or even pleasant. This process helps your nervous system build its capacity to handle distress without becoming overwhelmed.
Is Somatic Therapy Right for You?
When Talk Therapy Isn't Enough
If you feel like you've talked about your trauma extensively but are still struggling with physical symptoms, hypervigilance, or a sense of disconnection, somatic therapy could be the missing piece of your healing.
Finding a Trained Somatic Therapist
Look for a therapist who is certified in a specific somatic modality, such as Somatic Experiencing (SE) or Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. It is also crucial that they have a specialization in perinatal mental health.
Healing is More Than a Thought; It's a Feeling
True healing from trauma is not just about understanding your story; it's about feeling safe, calm, and at home in your own body again. Somatic therapy offers a powerful path to achieving that felt sense of peace. It is a key part of a holistic perinatal mental health treatment plan.
If you are struggling with the physical and emotional aftermath of a traumatic birth, schedule a free, confidential consultation with a Phoenix Health care coordinator to find a trauma-informed therapist who is right for you.