Whenever we experience something tragic, our mind often convinces itself out of it, while the body ends up storing a record of the incident. Trauma is not essentially stored in muscles or bones in the form of pain but is instead stored in the brain as an enhanced sense of alertness against perceived dangers.
There are many holistic ways to release this trapped trauma and liberate one from the constant cycle of staying vigilant. Traditional Chinese medicine for mental health has been gaining popularity for its gradually progressing yet impactful methods of eradicating stored trauma from the body. The practice involves meditation, understanding the root cause, and providing treatment that creates room for healing.
Here’s everything to know about the body keeping a record of trauma:
What is trauma?
Trauma is a response (emotional or physical) to any life-threatening situation an individual encounters. Trauma can have a severe impact on the mental well-being and ability to function without underlying feelings of low self-esteem or anxiety. The hippocampus and amygdala are the parts of the brain that are often responsible for storing memories, where most of the trauma from tragic incidents is stored.
Why does the body store trauma?
When we encounter a life-threatening situation, the fight, flight, or freeze part of the brain (amygdala) gets overactivated, ensuring we can respond to save ourselves. Amidst all this, it becomes challenging for the brain to simultaneously process everything, resulting in unprocessed feelings, emotions, and thoughts being neglected and instead getting stored in the body. As a result, one constantly lives on the edge, even in a safe environment.
Common signs and triggers of stored trauma
Post-traumatic stress is the lasting effect of trauma that often shows up in our everyday lives; these signs include:
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Experiencing sleep issues
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Constantly feeling on the edge
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Trouble focusing
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Dissociation
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Anxiety and depression
Trauma triggers can include:
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Smells and sounds
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Being in a specific location
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Certain traits in people
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Certain behavioral patterns
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Being in situations similar to what caused the trauma
3 Effective ways to recover from trauma
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Talk therapy
It often involves talking about the incidents that are ingrained in your brain as a traumatic memory, their significance, and the areas they affect. Talk therapy is an excellent way to process tangled emotions and feelings while working with a professional who can help bridge the gap. Moreover, once you have released these experiences, you can work with the therapist to find constructive ways to manage other aspects of your life.
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Holistic approach
Holistic approaches, such as traditional Chinese medicine, have become popular because they aim to eradicate the root causes instead of alleviating the symptoms. They involve rich experiences like acupuncture and Tai Chi. These traditional practices are age-old and are known for their ability to heal from within. Moreover, as these natural treatment methods are personalized, they will more effectively address the areas of concern over generic treatments. Also, as these treatments do not involve the use of harsh medicines, they are ideal for people with sensitivities.
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Movement practice
Movement therapy is an incredible way to relax the body while allowing the symptoms of trauma to calm down. This allows the parasympathetic nervous system to unwind, enabling the body to process past incidents with much composure and control. However, movement practice alone might not help achieve the desired effects, and it is always best to pair it with other types of therapies to maximize the results.
Bottomline
Trauma can hamper ways in which an individual can live their life. It constantly makes them hesitant to live at their full potential and instead stay more focused on staying vigilant to avoid any life-threatening situations.
With adequate support and participation in healing practices and therapies, people can customize their healing journey to suit them best. Whether you opt for regular methods or are inclined towards traditional practices, trauma healing is meant to improve your quality of life with lasting processes and methodologies.
