top of page

Understanding the Nervous System and Trauma

Writer's picture: Brooklyn MilnerBrooklyn Milner

Updated: Jan 22



two friends hugging mental health support

Components of the nervous system


To appreciate how Somatic Experiencing (SE) promotes healing and recovery, it's important to understand the role the nervous system plays in trauma. The nervous system, which consists of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), is responsible for regulating our body's responses to stress, danger, and relaxation. The ANS is divided into two main branches:


  1. Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) – Often referred to as the "fight or flight" system, the SNS activates when we perceive danger or threat. It increases heart rate, blood pressure, and alertness to prepare the body for immediate action. You can think of it as the gas pedal on a car - revving you for action.

  2. Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) – The "rest and digest" system, the PNS is responsible for calming the body after a stressor has passed, reducing heart rate, and promoting relaxation. You can think of it as the brake pedal on the car - slowing your system down back to safety and security. 


Traumatic experiences can overwhelm the nervous system and lead to a dysregulated state where the body remains “stuck” in fight-or-flight or freeze responses. When this happens, you may experience symptoms like anxiety, hypervigilance, dissociation, and chronic stress. The nervous system becomes trapped in a state of either hyperarousal (constant alertness) or hypoarousal (numbing, dissociation or immobilization), preventing you from returning to a state of balance and calm.


The Healing Power of Somatic Experiencing in trauma


Somatic Experiencing helps people reset and regulate their nervous system by promoting a process of pendulation—moving between states of activation (stress) and calm, and titration—gradually processing small bits of trauma rather than overwhelming the system all at once. SE focuses on the body’s sensations, which are seen as key to unlocking stored trauma and facilitating emotional and physical healing.


By engaging with the body and nervous system, Somatic Experiencing provides a pathway for healing that goes beyond intellectual understanding. It allows you to gradually restore balance to your nervous system, reducing symptoms of trauma like anxiety, flashbacks, and hypervigilance. Clients often report feeling more grounded, calm, and connected to their bodies after working with SE.


Moreover, SE not only helps regulate the nervous system in the moment but also teaches long-term strategies for self-regulation. As you learn to tune into your body and recognize your physiological states, you develop a greater ability to cope with stress and emotional challenges in everyday life.


If you would like to read more about Somatic Experiencing in Trauma Therapy, check out our blog, here.

1 view0 comments

Comments


bottom of page