Somatic Healing: What Is It and Why the Heck Should I Care?

Hello friend, welcome to my first ever blog post. I am very happy to have you here with me. If you happened to have taken a look around my website before finding yourself here you may have seen the word “ somatic” pop up several times and wondered to yourself, “what the heck does that mean and why should it matter to me?” Well as a massage therapist and somatic practitioner, I witness the profound impact that somatic practices can have on healing wounds, changing limiting beliefs, and enhancing self-connection every day. For that reason, in my debut blog post, we will explore the significance of somatic healing, particularly how it can help you reconnect with your body, navigate trauma responses, and cultivate a deeper sense of self.

In our fast-paced world, it is far too easy to become disconnected from our bodies. Whether it be:

- the never ending draw to the metal rectangle in our hands that we use to keep the thoughts at bay

- fighting tooth and nail daily against capitalism/patriarchy/misogyny/all the -ists -isms & phobics of our society

- that moment when you finally get home after a long overstimulating day just to remember that for the trillionth time you have to figure out, cook, eat, and clean up a meal for dinner

or any other thing that makes you want to curl into a ball for a long long while, this disconnection can lead to a myriad of issues. If reading those examples made your jaw clench or body tense up then you already know a small portion of what the consequences can be. (Try to relax a little because, “Help is on the way dearie.”)

Believe it or not there is a tool that can help ease these symptoms and bring us back to a more regulated, present, and peaceful state. I do want to preface that unfortunately this is not a magic cure but if executed in a way that is made for your brain, can feel pretty darn close.

Understanding Somatic Healing:

Somatic healing is rooted in the belief that our bodies hold onto experiences—both positive and negative. The negatives - trauma, stress, and emotional pain create a disconnect from our physical sensations, leading to feelings of numbness or discomfort. (Think flight, fight, freeze, and fawn) When we learn to tune into our bodies, we can unlock the potential for a slow letting go and even reversal of the effects trauma has. One notable study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress explored how somatic experiencing helped individuals process trauma. Participants reported not only reductions in symptoms of PTSD but also an enhanced ability to connect with their bodies therefore decreasing and in some cases all together eliminating the negative symptoms they felt stuck with. This aligns with my own experience when I truly learned to listen to my body outside of the incessant yapping of my brain I discovered pathways to healing they never knew existed.

The Significance of Body Awareness:

1. Many of us go through life detached from our physical sensations escpecially if they experienced a tumultuous childhood. This disconnection is a coping mechanism developed by our brains to protect and manage pain or traumatic experiences we feel we have no control over. However, This often leads to increased anxiety, emotional distress, and physical aches + pains. By cultivating bodily awareness in moments where are brain is unhealthily taking the lead, we can begin to recognize and therefore heal how we interact with both our mental, emotional, and physical bodies. Somatic healing encourages us to explore how emotions manifest in the body and what to do with those feelings based on what is currently happening. For example, you might notice tension in your shoulders when you're stressed or a fluttering in your stomach when you’re anxious. These signals are vital, providing insights into your emotional state and guiding you towards healing. Somatic therapy helps to rewire our responses by promoting regulation of the nervous system. In learning to notice our body's reactions, we can intervene before a trauma response takes over. This not only alleviates physical symptoms but also fosters a sense of safety and security within ourselves.

If you want to explore and get a taste test of what somatic healing can do follow this body scan practice to facilitate reconnection to your body.

Step 1: Find a Comfortable Position Choose a quiet space where you can sit or lie down comfortably. Close your eyes if it feels right for you, and take a few deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth.

Step 2: Bring your awareness to the surface beneath you. Feel the weight of your body supported by the ground. Allow yourself to settle into this support, knowing you are safe.

Step 3: Begin the scan starting at the top of your head. Notice any sensations— possibly tension, warmth, or even numbness. Don’t judge or try to change anything; simply observe is existence. Gradually move your attention down through your body:

- *Forehead* - *Jaw* - *Neck and shoulders* - *Chest* - *Stomach* - *Hips* - *Legs* - *Feet*

Step 4: Acknowledge Sensations As you scan each area, ask yourself how that part of your body feels. Are there any areas of tension or discomfort? Are there areas that feel relaxed or at ease? Again experience these sensations without any need to fix them.

Step 5: Breathing into areas of tension or discomfort. Visualize your breath flowing into that area. Inhale deeply, and as you exhale, imagine the uncomfortable feelings slowly retreating. Repeat this for a few minutes until you feel like you are a little more connected with your body.

Step 6: After completing the scan, take a few more deep breaths and gently wiggle your fingers and toes. When you’re ready, open your eyes. Take a moment to notice how your body feels now compared to before the practice and send gratitude to yourself for showing up.

Incorporating practices consistently, like the body scan, empowers you to become more attuned to your body’s signals, paving the way for healing and self-discovery. Remember, this journey is uniquely yours—be patient and compassionate with yourself as you explore the profound benefits of somatic healing.