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When it comes to how to release stuck trauma energy from your body, first we need to start with the basics. What is it, how did it get there and why is it lingering, and then how to get rid of it? All of this knowledge and strategy I’m sharing with you are a combination of my 20 years of experience with my clients as well as what I’ve learned from going through my own life moments of moving my own stuck trauma energy. I’ve personally recovered from chronic bladder infections, vertigo, insomnia, and panic attacks. What is Stuck trauma energy? Stuck trauma energy is the body and mind’s natural way of protecting you when you’ve had a previous physical and/or emotional injury. Very similar to how your body creates scars to reinforce the surrounding tissues so a wound won’t reopen. Our bodies and minds are so good at protecting us but sometimes it does too good of a job and can make things worse for the overall function. When we have this trauma energy it can start small as random pain or a few nights of disrupted sleep but when we don’t let it go and don’t know what to do with it, it can manifest into a more uncomfortable condition such as chronic pain, chronic infections, nerve dysfunction, TMJ problems, IBS, anxiety disorders, panic attacks, carpal tunnel syndrome, insomnia, foot, knee or leg problems, chronic back problems, migraines, etc. How did it get there? Well #1, you went through an event. Okay, that may seem obvious to you, but so often I get clients who can’t pinpoint what could possibly be so traumatic to cause this stuck intense feeling or pain. The truth is that it can be an event that is obviously traumatizing to most people such as surviving a plane crash, or a car accident, or it could be as small as simply losing a pet. The interesting thing about trauma is that no event by itself is actually traumatic. Yep! You read that correctly…..NO event is traumatic which brings us to #2. You DECIDED (or were made to believe) the event was traumatizing. It is only the meaning we choose to put on any event which makes it traumatizing or not. Okay, you might be looking at me like I’ve got ten heads here, but I promise you, you have a choice. For example, have you ever wondered why not all military come back from combat with PTSD, or why more first responders aren’t suffering from extreme anxiety and depression despite horrific situations they’ve been a part of? It is because they have been able to frame the things they had witnessed or endured as something to expect within the role they signed up for, or the simple idea that their foundation of themselves is unchanged despite the unexpected event. I have had several clients throughout the years who had been through intense events in other countries but were fine because it was accepted as normal for their culture, or clients who had remembered going through inappropriate and uncomfortable situations as a child but never saw themselves as victims, so they were able to process through the uncomfortable memories without holding an identity to them. Just because a person is victimized doesn’t mean they have to feel victimized. They get to still hold their own power and individual identity. In fact, reclaiming one’s identity by choosing to no longer be a victim is an important step in recovering from trauma. It is very interesting the things we see as crisis or trauma and then further hold onto. The truth is that no matter what the event is, it is just a thing that happened, it is neutral, until we as problem solving people want to put meaning on it so that it won’t happen again, and we can be safe. This equally applies to when our bodies go through a physical injury. When a perso n is otherwise physically healthy but doesn’t bounce back from an injury fully it is because they have lingering thoughts or emotions connected to that injury in an effort to protect themselves to be safe. My massage clients who come in from whiplash due to a car accident for example, those who accept it as simply an unexpected event our of their control recover rather quickly trusting in their body’s ability to heal, versus those clients who become angry and fearful that they can’t stop something like this from happening again take longer to recover until they fully let go of the emotion of the event. Of course, the events which happen can be very extreme and I’m not saying you shouldn’t feel anything or minimize them. In fact, just the opposite! It is important to feel the normal human emotions but then reframe them and let them flow. When we don’t let the intense feelings and thoughts move on out of our bodies with trust is actually how they get stuck. The lack of trust is the main reason why that trauma energy sticks around and takes up space. This can be lack of trust for our environments wanting everything to remain in order, lack of trust for others not to hurt us, lack of trust in our body’s capability to heal, and ultimately lack of trust for ourselves to be able handle anything unexpected which comes our way. Okay, now finally how do we get rid of this stuck trauma energy (or not let it stick to begin with)? Some things you can do on your own: 1) Accept that all events are neutral and look back at the “traumatizing” event (if you know what it is) with a new perspective and decide to feel differently about it in a way which is more empowering. 2) Remember that life has always been uncertain and always will be. Nothing has changed except that you have more knowledge. You’ve always made it through and bounced back just fine before so all evidence points to the fact that you can come back better than ever now. 3) Remember your body has amazing wisdom and came pre-programmed to return to homeostasis. Set down any fear or misbeliefs about reasons why your body can’t heal and surrender to that internal wisdom. Visualize, reminding your body of the original blueprint of all parts functioning optimally. 4) Move the energy by working out, deep breathing, stretching, journaling, dancing, kundalini yoga, singing, doing a digestive cleanse, laughing, crying, journaling, stating the raw emotion of the negative once to someone who will hold you high and then stating how you’re choosing to move forward now. 5) Feed the positive movement and reclaiming of balance by surrendering the what-if’s and instead owning the I-can’s. 6) Trust that you are made of capabilities and possibilities. Impossible turns to “I’m Possible” 7) If you have a spiritual faith actually surrender into it and allow yourself to be guided. Need help? Lastly, if you’re having a hard time moving this stuck trauma energy on your own, let go of blame or shame and accept that, by nature, we are pack-animals and meant to support one another for the evolution of the collective. You too get to be supported so that you can live your best life. With all of my knowledge and experience I still ask for support when I need it which allows me to move quicker. Please reach out to me if you need support as I am happy to help you move this on through so you can get back to showing up as your best self and fulfill all your goals and purposes. The modalities I use for my clients and myself are hypnotherapy, massage, cranio-sacral therapy, aromatherapy, and a very connected intuition. Other types of modalities I’ve received which can help move this stuck trauma energy for you too are reiki, acupuncture, psychotherapy, breathwork, and life coaching. Let me know if you’d like a recommendation for a trusted clinician who uses these other modalities. All my very best to you! --Kim