Have you ever been told by someone that “you carry sadness in your hips” or “unexpressed grief is in your heart”?
It’s not uncommon to hear such comments and assessments made by those offering energy healing or other complementary somatic therapies, and whilst I welcome the growing awareness of body-based therapies and their positive impacts on overall health and wellbeing, I think it’s important for anyone researching and sifting through the myriad of modalities and therapists to be able to discern between fact and fiction when it comes to some of the claims being made.
Somatic therapy, a body-centred approach to mental health treatment, emphasises the profound connection between the mind and body. Practitioners often assert that specific emotions and traumas are stored in particular body parts, and that addressing these physical manifestations can lead to emotional healing. While this perspective offers a holistic approach to therapy, it also raises questions about its scientific validity and potential risks.
Understanding Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy often integrates traditional talk therapy with physical techniques, such as mindful movement, breathwork, shaking and touch, to help individuals become more aware of their bodily sensations. This heightened awareness aims to release tension and unresolved emotions that may be contributing to psychological distress. As noted by Psychology Today, "Somatic therapy is a form of body-centred therapy that looks at the connection of mind and body and uses both psychotherapy and physical therapies for holistic healing."
The Claim: Emotions Stored in the Body
A central tenet of somatic therapy is that emotions and traumas can be stored in specific body parts. For instance, chronic neck tension might be associated with unexpressed anger, while hip tightness could relate to suppressed sadness. This concept suggests that by releasing physical tension in these areas, individuals can process and heal associated emotional wounds.
Support for the Model
Proponents of this model argue that it offers a comprehensive approach to healing. Marion Rosen, a pioneer in somatic practices, developed the Rosen Method, which focuses on gentle touch and movement to access unconscious emotions stored in the body. Her work emphasises the interplay between physical sensations and emotional experiences, suggesting that addressing bodily tension can lead to emotional release and healing.
Additionally, somatic practices have been integrated into various therapeutic modalities. For example, somatic stretching, developed in the 1970s by philosopher Thomas Hanna, combines mindful movements with an awareness of internal body sensations to help release stored emotional trauma and regulate the nervous system.
Another somatic method growing in popularity is Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE), developed by Dr. David Berceli. TRE consists of a series of simple movements designed to activate the body’s natural tremor response, helping to release deep-seated muscular tension and stress. Proponents claim that these involuntary tremors can help regulate the nervous system and process unresolved trauma. Some studies and anecdotal reports suggest that TRE can be beneficial for individuals dealing with PTSD, anxiety, and chronic stress.
Criticisms and Concerns
Despite growing popularity, somatic therapies have faced criticism. Some experts argue that while body-centred therapies can be beneficial, attributing specific emotions to particular body parts lacks empirical support. Leah Benson, a bioenergetic therapist, points out that while somatic experiencing can be effective, it may rely on pseudoscientific explanations. She emphasises the need for a clear understanding of the mechanisms behind its effectiveness to avoid misleading claims.
There are also concerns about the potential for psychological splitting, where changes in the body might not translate to mental healing. Psychoanalyst, Otto Fenichel, highlighted the necessity of integrating abreacted material into the psyche to ensure lasting therapeutic benefits.
Moreover, while initial research and self-reports indicate positive effects, critics argue that more rigorous, peer-reviewed studies are needed to fully validate the efficacy of somatic therapies and further regulation and guidance on practitioners to ensure people are treated by trained professionals to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Balancing Perspectives
While the somatic approach offers a unique pathway to address trauma and emotional distress, it's essential to approach its claims with a balanced perspective. Integrating body awareness into therapy can provide valuable insights and relief for many individuals. However, practitioners and clients should remain cautious about overgeneralisations and ensure that therapeutic interventions are grounded in both personal experience and empirical evidence.
As it stands, the dialogue between somatic practices and traditional therapeutic models continues to evolve, and in my opinion further integration and research is needed. Embracing a holistic approach to mental health that considers both the mind and body holds promise, but it must be accompanied by rigorous research and a critical examination of its foundational claims.
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