How the Body Remembers and Recovers from Trauma

In "The Body Keeps the Score," Dr. Bessel van der Kolk highlights how trauma can disconnect individuals from their bodies, leaving them unable to feel whole areas or identify objects by touch. This disconnection often stems from childhood abuse, where victims are trapped in a freeze or collapse response due to their inability to fight back or escape.

To aid recovery, I've worked extensively with adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse using Muay Thai kickboxing. Initially daunting for many women who fear losing control and associate violence with trauma, this practice helps them re-engage with their bodies safely and gradually. By explaining brain functions like the amygdala's role in survival responses, we demystify triggers that arise subconsciously when faced with reminders of past traumas.

A particular case involved Lori, who initially couldn't meet my gaze without being triggered but eventually found empowerment through physical engagement. Despite initial trembling and fear during our sessions, she embraced the process and returned stronger each time. Her transformation was profound; she appeared more alive and confident after reclaiming her power through movement.

This approach emphasizes regaining self-mastery by contradicting feelings of helplessness ingrained by trauma. While various therapies exist—like neurofeedback or EMDR—no single method suits everyone universally. It's crucial for individuals to explore different options at their own pace within safe environments sensitive to trauma needs.

Ultimately, engaging physically is vital for healing; whether it's Muay Thai or yoga (when practiced mindfully), these activities help restore one's strength and agency over their body while fostering resilience against past imprints that once dictated vulnerability.
 

This is an interesting statement by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk in the Body Keeps the Score, a New York Times bestselling book. After I read this statement, I want to tell you some of the experiences that I've had working with clients, adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse, and how helping them get back engaged in their bodies is so critical to healing. 

Dr. Van der Kolk says, "Once I was alerted to this, I was amazed to discover how many of my patients told me that they could not feel whole areas of their bodies. Sometimes I'd ask them to close their eyes and tell me what I had put into their outstretched hands. Whether it was a card key, a quarter, or a can opener, they often could not even guess what they were holding. Their sensory perceptions simply weren't working." 

So something happened during the trauma where the body became stuck and frozen. In that frozen state, they continue to try and navigate through life. I also love this statement: "Imprints of the past can be resolved by having physical experiences that directly contradict the helplessness, the rage, and collapse that are a part of trauma, thereby regaining self-mastery." 

Here's the significance of childhood trauma in our limbic system. The survival system has a part called the amygdala, which is our survival signal. When we're threatened, we can either fight, flee, freeze, or collapse. If you think about it, someone who is abused as a child can really only freeze or collapse. They can't fight because they're not strong enough, nor can they run away because they're not fast enough. The perpetrator is usually someone they know who has groomed them for their nefarious purposes.

Much of my career has been spent helping adult female survivors get back engaged in their bodies by teaching them a form of martial arts called Muay Thai—a form of kickboxing. In order for this process to work, it's essential first to explain what happened to them and how the brain works—teaching them about the limbic system and how it all fits together. The hippocampus is mainly involved in memory; that's why memories are always there and why individuals constantly are triggered from the subconscious part of the brain without fully being aware of why.

When you're in the presence of something or someone your limbic system associates with past trauma, I've seen many times as a male working with adult female survivors that many were highly triggered by my presence alone. They'd often tell me that I triggered them even though I was not the one who did anything to them. However, their limbic system doesn’t care about that because I represented—through association—the perpetrator from their past.

If you can explain what happened and then encourage them—if they are willing—to create a safe environment for them to experience what's called somatic release (allowing their bodies to move and do what they wanted to do when the trauma was happening but were unable to do due to being too young), it can be transformative. Of all the things I have done professionally in helping deal with trauma and recovery, this is probably the most effective approach I've encountered.

Many clients have told me they've been in therapy for years but didn’t reclaim their power until they could engage their bodies fully in a safe environment. I remember one particular individual who was so courageous; this illustrates just how challenging it can be.

We created a safe environment with other individuals present—not just me and her—so other female therapists were there as well. We explained what would happen if she chose to participate in our treatment program. When she came into our agency for her first session, she couldn't even give me eye contact; it was such a trigger for her because she associated men with trauma and power abuse. I understood that and didn't blame her for it; however, I wanted to help her move through those feelings.

When it came time for her to participate in our treatment session, I never thought I'd see her there. But she walked in! After explaining the process and putting mitts on myself while she wore boxing gloves, we began with her throwing punches at my gloves without eye contact because that would have been too much for her at that moment.

As she stood before me trembling and shaking with fear before moving her body at all, I realized just how critical it was for her to trust this process—even though it felt risky for both of us at times. When Dr. Van der Kolk learned about our methods during his visit to our retreat where we worked with these individuals, he expressed some concern at first but quickly came around when he saw how effective it could be.

As Lori began throwing punches—first tentatively and then more confidently—she started connecting with herself again through movement. After about ten minutes filled with various kicks and punches under careful guidance from me as her coach/therapist duo along with supportive female therapists present—it became clear we were making progress.

Afterward, Lori collapsed onto the ground sobbing uncontrollably while shaking; her therapist rushed over to comfort her outside afterward amidst much emotional release experienced throughout this session together! It was incredible seeing someone who had been so shut down suddenly regain some semblance of alive energy within themselves after just one round!

Remarkably enough though? Five minutes later? She returned wanting more! That moment changed everything—it wasn't merely participation; there was genuine empowerment happening right before my eyes! The next day when walking into another session room filled with participants from different cohorts—including Lori again—I barely recognized her anymore! 

Her demeanor shifted dramatically overnight—from looking withdrawn like someone lifeless days prior—to vibrant & full-of-life energy radiating outwardly while engaging others meaningfully around herself now rather than hiding away behind closed doors!

When she approached me asking if she could give me a hug later on? Unbelievable moments unfolded before us all! This speaks volumes about how imprints left behind by past traumas can indeed be resolved through these physical experiences contradicting helplessness/rage/collapse often associated therein.

Movement & exercise play pivotal roles here—whether via Muay Thai or any other form tailored toward restoring one’s sense-of-self efficacy! I'm proud knowing we helped so many reclaim ownership over themselves once again after years spent feeling trapped inside those traumatic memories unable/unwilling/unaware how best navigate forward beyond them…so go forth now exploring possibilities available within reach!

Wrapping up: Imprints of the past can be resolved by having physical experiences that directly contradict helplessness rage & collapse resulting from trauma thereby regaining self-mastery!