Healing Trauma through Movement

Did you know…Our body has the capability to heal itself from trauma?

 Our bodies are capable of healing. They may need some assistance – medication is a beautiful thing. However, our bodies are also able to heal from trauma through movement. 

In our brains, there are two hemispheres. We have the left side of the brain, and the right side of the brain. Then, in between the two hemispheres, there is a brain part that is called the corpus collosum. It acts as a bridge between each part of the brain, almost like a highway. 

When we experience trauma, the brain’s ability to use that highway gets clogged up, like a traffic jam. 

By using bilateral stimulation, we can strengthen that communication between the two parts, and essentially clear up the traffic jam. 

Bilateral stimulation means – both sides of the body are moving. Have you ever heard the term “walk it off”?

That’s because it works! Walking uses both sides of your body, regulates your breathing, and gets your body moving. That’s why we go on walks to think things through. 

There are so many options to get your body moving in a bilateral way. 

Here is one that you can use at any time:

1)   Start in a seated position. Get comfortable!

2)   Take a deep cleansing breath – meaning that you breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth as if you are fogging up a mirror. 

3)   Close your mouth, and breathe again, with the constriction in  your throat still but not with your mouth open.

4)   Turn your head to the right. Find a spot to look at over your right shoulder, and breathe in.

5)   Do not breathe out yet!

6)   Turn your head to the left, find a spot to look at over your left shoulder, and breathe out. 

7)   While your head is still turned to the left, breathe in again.

8)   Turn your head to the right, and then breathe out.

9)   While your head is still turned to the right, breathe in again.

10) Come back to the center, and then breathe out. 

11) Let your breathing return to normal.

That’s it! You did it!

Now, that is something you can do anywhere. 

If you want to do this in a meeting, or a conversation, or any time that you feel stressed, go ahead! 

If you feel like this might look a little funny, just put your hand on your shoulder as if you have a neck or shoulder ache and continue the movement. People will just think that you’re tired!

There you have it. Bilateral stimulation. It’s a beautiful thing.

Use the concept of bilateral stimulation during panic attacks, during times of feeling triggered, or even when you just need to refocus and recenter. 

It is a tool that is always available to you.