Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing is an approach to the resolution and healing of trauma based upon the observation that wild animals, though routinely threatened, are rarely traumatized. Just like us, their bodies respond to life-threatening events with nervous system activation, yet they largely return to normal after these highly-charged experiences. 

Humans more readily get stuck in nervous system activation. From a somatic perspective, this is trauma—getting stuck in the physiological response to a threat. 

Living with this activation over time has physical and mental health consequences. Fortunately, our human bodies do have the ability to come back to a relaxed and ready state, even after being activated for a long time. Bodies are actually very eager to do this—they just need some help to do it.

Somatic Experiencing methods help us  work directly with nervous system dysregulation during Rolfing sessions. We can choose specific experiences to work with, or invite the body to show us what it needs help with.  

Together Rolfing and Somatic Experiencing are especially helpful for physical and nonverbal traumas, like complex or chronic musculoskeletal pain, medical and surgical experiences, accidents and falls, birth trauma and developmental trauma, and for helping people who are learning to feel their bodies, or learning to welcome healthy touch.

We can’t change what happened in the past, but we can change how the body is responding now, and bring a tremendous relief to your system.