Breathing to Integrate Trauma

When we experience trauma we loose our ability to remain calm and centered.  We become easily triggered and react to situations.  Unresolved physical, emotional and psychological pain freezes and becomes trapped in the layers of anatomy.  Our nervous systems must run on one or the other autonomic functions.  Sympathetic fight or flight/safety or parasympathetic/rest and digest function. 
Optimally one or the other is working while the other is resting at rest. 

Unresolved trauma can look and feel


Sympathetic agitation feels like this            

• trouble sleeping
• restlessness
• muscle tension
• rapid heart beat
• attraction to dangerous situatio
• angry or frustrated 
• quick to react - short tempered
• fearful - paranoid

Parasympathetic shut down feels like this

• spaciness & unfocused; forgetful
• helplessness
• hopelessness
• slow digestion
• depression
• chronic fatigue
• listlessness

In craniosacral therapy we can address these symptoms.  Trauma stops the continuous flow of electrial conductivity in the brain.  Sympathetic and parasympathetic work best when one system turns off and the other on.  Both cannot be running at the same time.  Total chaos insues and we see a barrage of symptoms starting to occur.

Working through a trauma takes dedication and a skilled professional to support you on this journey. Trauma is not like a physical injury.  Soreness, pain, swelling etc.

 But a sense of disconnection;  Need to control or the opposite-hopelessness.  

The lists above can help you to evaluate what you are physically feeling, emotionally reacting to and thoughts you might be thinking after a trauma.

Shifting your awareness to read subtle changes in your physical body, emotions/feeling and thoughts,

can help you begin to integrate the trauma physically instead of reacting from a heightened nervous state.

So how do we reeducate our neurons to rewire into healthy pathways? 

Start by Breathing!  Inhale and exhale through the nose.

Work towards bringing the breath down into your abdomen.

This can take some practice.  

Work up to 5-10 minutes in each sitting. 

This can take days, weeks, or months to accomplish.

But watch how your symptoms start to fade.

Once entrained in breath work the body will start to breath when it is stressed!!!  So amazing

Consider finding a counselor, massage therapist, craniosacral therapist, doctor that understands trauma.  And Breath!!!  Hope this helps and enjoy your day!

In the News: Massage and Low-back Pain — American Massage Therapy Association

In the News: Massage and Low-back Pain — American Massage Therapy Association

Oh the Palatines

This week has been a very intense week of energy working

with the Palatine bones. They are located in the back of the throat

 by uvula/tonsil - posterior roof of the mouth, and connect with

the nose and eye socket.   

When restricted sinus pressure, migraines, headaches

and many symptoms of the eyes are signs that the

palatines are involved.  They act as a spacer between

the maxilla and sphenoid. 

Working sensitively in this area is very important.

Energetics of the palatines =  When we have

"had it up to here" and stuffed what we "really want to say"

 it reflects the palatines. 

So watch your breathing and release any pent up

energy in your communication.  This work contacts

the throat soul!

Energy Exercises to help release:  The taoist arch, feet hip width apart, inhale-exhale and reach back, stretching head and neck up and back.  Letting out sound to release stress.  Repeat until relaxed

Acupressure points:  TMJ points also help to relieve irritability and frustration

GB 20 below the base of the head, in hollows.

GB 21 press into shoulder tension.  Bring your head up and back as you

inhale, and exhale as you lower your head downward.  Hold shoulder pts

and continue easy movement while breathing for one minute.

Remember that your blockage took some time to physically manifest.

So it will take a bit of work to clear.  If you feel irritated that is your

TRIGGER that caused this physical manifestation.  Breath it OUT!

Enjoy, Relax and Hydrate

If you are suffering with symptoms please feel free to post, someone

else is probably having same difficulty.  Lets share the healing potential!

Talk to you Soon!

Annie