In recent years, somatic healing has gained widespread recognition as a powerful method for trauma recovery. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which primarily engages the mind, somatic healing focuses on how trauma is stored in the body and how it can be released through body-based practices. But what is the science behind somatic healing? Understanding how the body holds onto trauma and the mechanisms that facilitate its release can empower individuals to take control of their healing journey.
How Trauma Gets Stored in the Body & The Nervous System’s Role
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is at the core of somatic healing, which regulates our responses to stress and danger. The ANS consists of two primary branches:
- Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS): Activates the fight-or-flight response, preparing the body to respond to threats.
- Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS): Governs the rest-and-digest state, allowing the body to recover and heal.
When an individual experiences trauma, their SNS may be overactivated, triggering a state of hypervigilance. Suppose the trauma is overwhelming and the person is unable to fight or flee. In that case, the body may enter a freeze response, leading to unprocessed trauma being stored in the nervous system, muscles, and fascia.
The Freeze Response and Body Memory
In situations where neither fight nor flight is possible, the body may immobilize itself as a survival strategy. This freeze response often results in trauma being held within the body in the form of chronic tension, tight muscles, and dysregulated nervous system patterns. Research suggests that unresolved trauma can contribute to conditions like chronic pain, autoimmune disorders, and anxiety.

Neuroscientists have found that traumatic experiences are not just stored in the brain as memories but are also imprinted in the body as physiological responses. These bodily imprints can persist long after the traumatic event has passed, manifesting as unexplained pain, digestive issues, and even emotional numbness.
How Somatic Healing Helps Release Trauma
Neuroplasticity and Healing
The brain’s ability to rewire itself, known as neuroplasticity, plays a key role in somatic healing. By engaging in body-based practices, individuals can create new neural pathways that promote a sense of safety and relaxation, replacing trauma-induced patterns of hyperarousal or dissociation.
Releasing Trauma Through Movement

Somatic healing incorporates movement-based therapies that help discharge stored trauma. Some effective methods include:
- Shaking and Tremoring: Practices like Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) help the body release stored tension through neurogenic tremors.
- Breathwork: Deep, intentional breathing stimulates the vagus nerve, shifting the body from a stress response to a state of relaxation.
- Mindful Movement: Activities like yoga, qigong, and dance allow trauma to be processed through gentle, intentional movements.
The Role of the Vagus Nerve
The vagus nerve is a crucial player in the body’s ability to heal from trauma. As the longest cranial nerve, it connects the brain to vital organs and plays a key role in regulating emotions and physiological responses. Stimulating the vagus nerve through practices like humming, cold exposure, deep breathing, and meditation can help shift the nervous system out of a trauma state and into a state of safety and healing.

Practical Somatic Techniques for Trauma Release
For those looking to incorporate somatic healing into their lives, the following techniques can be helpful:
- Grounding Exercises: Walking barefoot, engaging with nature, or using sensory awareness techniques to stay present in the body.
- Tremoring (Neurogenic Shaking): Allowing the body to release stored energy through gentle shaking or guided exercises.
- Body Scanning & Interoception: Developing awareness of bodily sensations and listening to what the body is communicating.
Somatic healing offers a powerful, science-backed approach to trauma recovery by working directly with the body’s stored responses. Understanding how trauma is held in the nervous system and how it can be released through movement, breathwork, and vagus nerve stimulation provides a roadmap for healing. While self-guided practices can be beneficial, those dealing with deep trauma may find it helpful to work with a trained somatic practitioner. Healing is a journey, and by reconnecting with the body, individuals can move toward greater resilience, balance, and well-being.
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