TGIF | From Pain to Purpose: My Somatic Therapy Journey After a Life-Altering Accident
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Dear Community,
Last week I had my “Acciversary”. Three years ago, life took an unexpected turn when I was struck by a car while grabbing a cappuccino between clients. What followed was a challenging journey that led me to be my own client of somatic therapy – a powerful approach to intertwining the mind and body for healing.
After the accident, daily migraines became my unwelcome companions, hindering my ability to exercise, work on a computer, or manage stress without triggering intense discomfort. A neurologist diagnosed me with post-concussion syndrome, prompting a mandated leave from work for three months. Amidst the chaos of raising a newborn, tending to a toddler, and managing a business, my body revealed another layer of distress – shooting pains in my right hip.
Despite diligent efforts with physical therapy and rest, the pain persisted. In a moment of desperation, I turned inward, rediscovering the potency of somatic therapy. This therapeutic approach recognizes the mind-body connection, utilizing practices like Bioenergetic Analysis, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, EMDR, brain spotting, and therapeutic yoga.
Somatic therapy's significance lies in fostering holistic mental well-being, trauma resolution, self-awareness enhancement, and stress reduction. Having witnessed its impact, especially in trauma-related disorders, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and body image issues, I became my own case study.
As I engaged in a dialogue with my hip through somatic therapy, emotions surfaced – tears, rage, and profound knowing. Unresolved trauma from the accident became evident, and a new treatment plan unfolded. While I had addressed the symptoms of my concussion, the underlying trauma had lingered. Through intensive trauma-reprocessing therapy, meditation, mindful movement, and journaling, I confronted the root cause, and my hip pain gradually dissipated.
Now, on the anniversary of that life-altering day, January 19th holds deep significance for me. It symbolizes a day of reckoning and transformation. The accident, though painful, served as a powerful lesson to listen – to my body, intuition, and the need to reassess my life. It forced me to slow down, connect with my inner wisdom, and surrender to a more purposeful existence.
On this recent January 19th, I experienced magic. Opening myself to receive, I felt a profound shift in intuition and celebrated the journey with gratitude. I share this with you today because if you feel stuck, physically or mentally, consider exploring somatic therapy. It's the cornerstone of what we do at Reset, and while you can explore it at home, the support of a professional can make the journey more manageable. Connecting the body and mind through somatic therapy, I believe, is an unparalleled way to navigate the depths of healing.
As always, thanks for being here. It’s better together.
And this week’s TGIFs…
TOOL - If you want to try some great somatic exercises, check out Dr Arielle Schwartz’s YouTube page. She’s a leading expert in the field and just the calmest presence.
GRATITUDE - This book. I’m leading my book club in discussing it and doing some fun experiential activities. Dr Gladys McGarey was the original somatic practitioner, simply using her intuition. Reading it felt so validating and I felt so seen in my own beliefs.
INNOVATION - Want more somatic therapy info? Check out the work from Pat Ogden, Dr Peter Levine, Dr Bessel van der Kolk or Babette Rothschild.
FEELS - Last week on my “acciversary”, I pulled a card from one of Rebecca Campbell’s decks. Oddly, when I went to look it up in the book, the page was already folded down. The basic message - surrender, surrender and then surrender some more. Heard. Thank you.