Trauma Release Exercises

[yoshixvx]

I stumbled across Trauma Release Exercises on Youtube last night after a recommendation from someone on the board, and am wondering if anyone has ever tried this, whether it was done under supervision of a therapist, and what your results were?

 

[franciemarnie]

I had an Energy Healer tell me I should shake before I go to bed, that it resets the energy balance. I haven't done it religiously, but whenever I get the inner chill that has no connection to (a warm) environment or organic illness, I shake to get rid of it. Then there is the natural shake that happens in Somatic Experiencing with and without a T.

Shaking always makes me feel better.

 

[yoshixvx]

The testimonies make it sound quite relieving.. I am very interested to try but wouldn't do it on my own without knowing how to deal with grounding/flashbacks during TRE. Have you ever had this reaction or has it been fairly straightforward overall?

 

[Justmehere]

I do somatic experiencing therapy, which was developed by Peter Levine. (I'm not very big into names though.) It's said that this therapy comes out of the same work he did, and is supposed to be a gentler version of it - which is hard to imagine with this video compared to videos of Somatic Experiencing. They seem quite similar in videos, except SE does not require certain exercise, and sometimes works on "defensive movements" that are stuck in the nervous system. Some triathletes I know use TRE after long workouts to work through tremors they get. From talking to my therapist, it's a little different with TRE for PTSD. She says it basically does the same thing as Somatic Experiencing, just a little more dramatic and in a little different way.

Here is an article that explains things very close to how my therapist describes what could happen with Somatic Experiencing and TRE.

http://beyondmeds.com/2011/04/19/traumarelease/

"Is there an emotional response during the exercises?"

"While some people experience significant emotional release during the Trauma Release process, others may experience no emotional response whatsoever. Some may experience intense memories of a trauma, while others may have no memory or recollection at all while still achieving a significant physiological and psychological release."

"An enhancing attribute of the Trauma Release Exercise process is the physiological states associated with a trauma are often able to be released without having to actually relive, remember, or talk about the actual traumatic event itself."

"Some people who have experienced severe trauma may at times feel frightened during the exercises, not due to experiencing the tremors themselves, (which most people experience as mildly pleasurable) but occasionally due to the nature and intensity of the emotions surfacing that they are no longer able to control or suppress during the process."

"In such situations these people should be guided through the process with direct professional assistance being clearly informed that at any stage if they feel unsafe or uncomfortable the tremors can be immediately stopped by simply straightening the legs or rolling onto their side."

It's interesting stuff. If you try TRE, I hope it works for you and that you post more about your experiences with it. I'm quite curious myself about various kinds of somatic based therapies.

 

[Hope4Now]

I'm glad you posted this. I've never seen it before. Last fall, when I started lying on the floor to release my psoas muscles (which at that point I thought was causing my pain) I started having all sorts of body tremors which continue in addition to other sorts of involuntary body movements. I'm one of the people who doesn't seem to have any memory or emotion attached to the movements, so I can't speak to flashbacks. I think, though, that things like this might be considered physical flashbacks.

 

[purgemeofthepain]

I got the TRE book by Bercelli and once I tried the exercises it didn't do anything special. I was doing them wrong the first time. Not mindfully enough, but the second time...wow, I got MEGA flashbacks and I was in full emergency mode. Completely terrified. I never thought these simple exercises would cause such a powerful reaction in me. I haven't done them ever since, it's been two months. I am working on finding strategies to cope with the flashbacks and only when I have those down pat, I'll try the TRE again. Whew...wish I had heeded the warning on the book!

 

[Jen Eagan]

Hi,

Yesterday, by chance I discovered TRE. It called my attention as I have been looking for ways to heal from PTDS I have been having difficult times and very stressful situations for the past seven years. I have never seen a therapist because I haven`t had the time or the money, neither I have much emotional support of any kind. So I had to deal with my issues relaying only in my inner strenght. But you only can put up with things so much all by yourself so, all that tension went right to my sacrum causing hernia in 2 discs. So, when I discovered about TRE I gave it a try just to see how it feels and if by any chance it would cause some relief. I tell you that at first I was somewhat cautious because I was afraid that some of the movements would cause me back pain, but to my surprise I could do the exercises without much difficulty. It felt good during the exercises as the positions are not ones that I normally do, so I could feel my muscles streching and that by itself was already pleasant. Then the tremors began and I felt sort of liberated, as if I last there was an expression of the things that have been torturing my body for so long. After the tremors I felt relieved, a sense of calmness overcame. After a few minutes I did feel some pain in my back and leg so I decided I would do it again before going to sleep, I did it thinking that maybe in the morning the pain would increase but, to my surprise I woke up this morning without any pain. I also felt more rested after the night sleep, which in my case rarely happens. I don`t know how much I can benefit from doing TRE I don`t know how much I can benefit from doing TRE but I will continue to do the exercises every day as I have to heal YEARS of trauma and difficult situations. I will keep you posted about this experience.

 

[Steve Ward]

I stumbled across Trauma Release Exercises on Youtube last night after a recommendation from someone on the board, and...

I have done trauma release exercises under the guidance of a therapist. In just a few days i could see the positive effects of TRE. It is a self care method that everyone should give a try in this hectic life. the exercises are not very difficult but their impact is great. You might feel shaking in the muscles in the beginning. These exercises relax your body and mind. So, I had a great overall experience & whenever i have free time i try these exercises to relax & stay stress free.

 

[Luicy]

I have done trauma release exercises under the guidance of a therapist. In just a few days i could see the positive...

i like your point...

 

[GreySouled]

I got the TRE book by Bercelli and once I tried the exercises it didn't do anything special. I was doing them wrong the first time. Not mindfully enough...

I know this is an old forum, but was wondering how you would do TRE mindfully. I've been doing them for a week independently and am not currently in therapy.

 

[Lizzie Lou]

Hi, Jen.

Just replying to encourage you to continue on your healing path! I often pray for others, like you, who are also working to recover. One thing you may find helpful and affordable: guided-imagery CDs by Belleruth Naparstek. She also wrote a book titled "Invisible Heroes: Survivors of Trauma and How They Heal." This may be available in the library. The best book I have read so far is "The Body Keeps the Score," by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D. He writes in some detail about the therapies that are known (so far) to be the most effective for people who suffer from PTSD, including Complex PTSD (originating in childhood trauma). God bless you. You've got people rooting for you.

Hi,

Yesterday, by chance I discovered TRE. It called my attention as I have been looking for ways to heal from PTDS...

 

[Pattixyz123]

Hi there I am new to the forum and recently discovered the TRE exercices. I couldnt find a trainer in my area so I started doing them by myself watching the videos on youtube.

I just have a few questions and I would be grateful for answers.

How often do you shake? I dont now if its recommended daily?
How long do you do it? I read that it can vary between 5 and 15 minutes. Which time gives you the best results?
How do you know when its enough? I stop when my body feels tired but sometimes I still feel stressed out. Do you stop when you feel tired or when you feel relief?

I found my body shaking even if I dont intend to do the exercise. It just "wants" to shake sometimes.
Like this morning when I lied in bed with a really bad headache. My left shoulder started to tremble (I had the headache on my left side) and started to shake by itself. The shoulder though, not the psoas muscle.

When I went to the vet with my bunny a few days ago I felt very anxious waiting and I felt my heartbeat going up and it beating irregular. Suddenly my legs started to shake and my heartbeat after a moment went back to normal.

Do you also experience things like that? Do I have to worry? I want to find a trainer and will continue looking but I also dont know if I can afford one anyway.

Thank you for reading and for this forum :-) and have a gentle day everyone
Patti