Traumatic stress, the reaction to a life-threatening event, arouses the nervous system to the extreme and activates three survival reflexes: freeze, flight, and fight. When our nervous system is overwhelmed and our coping strategies don’t work, we feel traumatized. If the trauma is not processed or if we aren’t eventually able to fight off, or get away from, or in some way manage what is attacking us, then the unprocessed fear gets locked into our body—into our tissues. This holding of stress and trauma in our tissues can express itself in a multitude of symptoms including anxiety, pain and dissociation. In an attempt to separate ourselves from the pain and the implicit memory of the trauma, we dissociate to some degree from our body, losing our sense of self. Implicit memories are emotional and physical sensations without an explicit (mind) memory context - something happened, I’m not sure what, but I don’t feel right. The body remembers, but not the mind. Implicit memories must be accessed through the body with gentle body-centered therapies such as biodynamic craniosacral work. This work is very effective in releasing the “issues in the tissues” because its foundation is based on presence and deep listening and the experience of a session is one of safety. Supporting the client to stay present to their physical body sensations during the session not only facilitates safety and releases implicit memories but also helps the client to reintegrate their dissociated parts. This in turn leads to a greater sense of wholeness, clarity and well being.
Biodynamic craniosacral therapy is a gentle yet profound method for enhancing the function of the nervous system and returning balance and mobility to the entire body. This safe and supportive process allows for the release of deep-seated trauma and emotions held within the body, and supports in reconnecting with and expressing who we are at the deepest level.
© Michael Aaron 2020