Introduction

When we think about healing from trauma, we often imagine talk therapy—sitting in a room, telling our story, and working through painful memories with words. While this traditional approach can be incredibly helpful, it doesn’t always address where trauma really lives: in the body.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) isn’t just a mental health issue—it’s also a physical one. Many people with PTSD feel jumpy, disconnected from their bodies, or stuck in a constant state of alert. That’s where somatic therapy comes in. This body-based approach helps people release trauma stored in the nervous system, offering a pathway to healing that goes beyond words.

In this article, we’ll explore what somatic therapy is, how it works, and why it’s becoming a trusted method for treating PTSD.

What Is Somatic Therapy?

“Somatic” comes from the Greek word soma, meaning body. Somatic therapy focuses on the connection between the mind and body, especially how trauma affects our physical responses and sensations.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, which centers on thoughts and emotions, somatic therapy guides individuals to become aware of bodily sensations, tension, and movement. It helps people process trauma physically, often without needing to fully revisit the traumatic memory.

Some popular forms of somatic therapy include:

– Somatic Experiencing (SE)

– Sensorimotor Psychotherapy 

– Body-oriented mindfulness practices

– Trauma-informed yoga or movement

How Trauma Affects the Body

To understand why somatic therapy works, we need to look at how trauma impacts the nervous system.

When we experience a traumatic event—whether it’s a car crash, assault, or childhood abuse—our body enters fight, flight, or freeze mode. This is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, which prepares us to survive danger.

In many cases, the body doesn’t get the chance to return to safety. Instead, the nervous system gets “stuck” in survival mode, leading to ongoing symptoms like:

– Muscle tension 

– Digestive issues 

– Shallow breathing 

– Panic attacks 

– Feeling disconnected or “numb” 

– Insomnia or chronic fatigue 

According to trauma expert Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, “The body keeps the score.” Even when the mind has tried to move on, the body often still holds the trauma.

What Happens in a Somatic Therapy Session?

Somatic therapy is typically gentle and collaborative. A therapist may start by helping you become more aware of what you’re feeling in your body—without judgment or pressure.

You might be guided to:

– Notice areas of tightness, warmth, or numbness 

– Track physical sensations linked to emotions or memories 

– Use grounding techniques (like breathwork or movement) to release tension 

– Reconnect with sensations of safety and calm 

Sessions are often slower-paced than traditional therapy. The goal is not to dive into trauma head-on, but to build safety, regulate the nervous system, and gently release stored stress.

How Somatic Therapy Helps People with PTSD

1. Regulates the Nervous System

One of the biggest benefits of somatic therapy is its ability to help calm the body. Through slow movement, breath, and touch, it activates the parasympathetic nervous system—the body’s natural calming response.

This helps reduce symptoms like anxiety, hypervigilance, and insomnia over time.

2. Releases Stored Trauma

Trauma that isn’t fully processed can stay “frozen” in the body. Somatic therapy allows this tension and energy to be safely released—through shaking, crying, breath, or movement—without needing to relive the trauma mentally.

3. Restores a Sense of Safety and Control

Many people with PTSD feel like they’re trapped in their own bodies or can’t trust their internal signals. Somatic therapy teaches you to listen to and trust your body again, helping you feel more grounded and in control.

4. Reduces Dissociation

Some trauma survivors feel disconnected from their bodies or emotions. Somatic work encourages gentle reconnection—helping you come back “home” to yourself, one step at a time.

What the Research Says

Somatic therapy is gaining recognition in clinical research for its effectiveness in treating PTSD and complex trauma.

– A 2017 study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that Somatic Experiencing significantly reduced PTSD symptoms in patients compared to a control group (Brom et al., 2017).

– Another study in Frontiers in Psychology (2020) noted that body-based therapies, including trauma-informed yoga and somatic practices, led to improved emotional regulation and reduced distress in individuals with chronic trauma histories.

While more large-scale studies are ongoing, the evidence—and thousands of personal stories—support somatic therapy as a powerful option for trauma recovery.

Is Somatic Therapy Right for You?

Somatic therapy can be especially helpful if you:

– Feel stuck even after traditional talk therapy 

– Have physical symptoms (like pain, fatigue, or anxiety) that don’t go away 

– Struggle with feeling disconnected from your body 

– Want to process trauma gently, without having to relive it in detail 

It’s important to work with a licensed, trauma-informed practitioner trained in somatic modalities. A safe therapeutic relationship is key to making progress.

Conclusion

Healing from PTSD doesn’t always start with talking—it can begin with listening to your body. Somatic therapy offers a way to reconnect, release, and rebuild safety from the inside out. It honors the truth that trauma affects both mind and body—and that real healing happens when we care for both.

If you’ve felt stuck or overwhelmed in your trauma recovery journey, know this: your body hasn’t betrayed you. It’s been trying to protect you. And with support, it can also guide you back to peace.

References:

– Van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score. Penguin Books. 

– Brom, D., Stokar, Y., Lawi, C., et al. (2017). Somatic Experiencing for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Outcome Study. Journal of Traumatic Stress*, 30(3), 304–312. 

– Price, C. J., et al. (2020). Body-Oriented Therapies for Trauma: A Review. Frontiers in Psychology. [https://www.frontiersin.org](https://www.frontiersin.org)