Somatic Basics: Becoming Embodied can Heal Chronic Pain/Chronic Symptoms/TMS/Mind-Body Concerns

[@millydaisy29]

I have enjoyed all of your videos so thank you for being so clear in your presentations on somatic tracking. For me this one has been the best so I copied your transcript and printed it out in order to have a visual map to read and follow when I am practicing. I really do appreciate the way you so freely share your knowledge with us. Many thanks 🌸🦋

[@painpsychotherapy]

I'm so glad this video was helpful! Keep going!

[@oliverspin8963]

I've been working through some extremely difficult 9-10/10 sensations in my hips for over a year and a half. I've been doing quite well lately, 1/10 and below. Today I had a relapse and had some 5/10 difficult sensations in my left hip after a walk, stretching, and myofascial work. I'm leaving for a big trip tomorrow, I think I'm just nervous about it. I went through the phases of panic, resisting....then I remembered the techniques....and I remembered your channel. I came here. Now, 2 hours later, the sharp sensations have reduced immensely. Magic? The power of mindfulness? Feeling waves of warm wellbeing now. Safety. I want to spread this work to others. There are still so many struggling with chronic pain. We can help them. Grateful for you. Grateful to be here.

[@painpsychotherapy]

I'm so glad my content has been helpful for you. A mind-body approach can really be magical! It is good to hear your symptoms have reduced! Keep going.

[@thedancingdivaofdaviestree2320]

Love the kitties! I've been hypervigilant since birth without knowing it because a violent birth that propelled me into the world 3 months early to no preemie care. I had death threats in the cradle (union leader father), and was taught to defend myself from kidnappers at age 2. Came home once to find RCMP in the bushes! That was just normal. But it left me hyperalert most of the time. I could switch into fight mode in a second, and react to attackers rather than freeze. I'm great in a crisis - but all that left me with sleep issues, and a year of inescapable stress plus mono added enough stress to turn childhood trauma into MEFM. I wish I'd known about this 50 years ago! All that high alertness and low-level fear is hell on the body, and makes the brain believe you're in danger when you're mostly safe. I'm finding this SO helpful, Tanner, as I navigate the states. I don't seem to have a Dorsal Vagal state emotionally, oddly - maybe being trained so young. A trauma counselor told me I react like a trained first responder, and I always rapidly assess a crisis situation then take immediate action. But I've never known how to discharge all those stress hormones and that energy. You, Chi Gong, and Peter Levine's somatic trauma work are my go-to's now - and I'm seeing results! Am thrilled, and firmly believe I can change lifelong patterns - it will just take me a little longer than those who've had pain for a few years. Thanks again, love your videos, am learning such a lot!

[@medusaslair]

Everyone has a dorsal vagal state, but it can be difficult to get into and most of all STAY in after a long time of repeated trauma. Everyone switches into flight or fight in a second, or actually less than a second, it's how our systems are built. The problem is when you get stuck in it, which is what happens after repeated trauma. Reacting like a first responder, rapidly assessing the crisis situation and taking action, is how pretty much everyone who was a victim of repeated childhood trauma where adult responsibilities was a part it behaves. Everything you describe is normal reactions. In my experience yoga is the best tool for getting those hormones and the energy moving and out of the body. I've tried everything. Yoga and plant medicine are the best tools, in my opinion, to heal trauma both physically and emotionally, to heal the nervous system and the brain. And I agree that Peter Levine's somatic trauma work should be used continuously as well, his work is exceptionally good.

[@thedancingdivaofdaviestree2320]

@@medusaslair Sorry, I was referring to the Dorsal Vagal Shutdown state where you're immobilized by fear, NOT the Ventral Vagal state of Rest and Digest I think you're referring to. Yes, you're right, it's hard to get into and stay in. My trauma counselor told me that most people panic and freeze rather than assess the situation then take immediate action -- which is also a natural reaction to trauma. Animals may save their lives by pretending to play dead. She said my responses were very rare. (Being trained to fight kidnappers at age 2 by my loving mother may account for some of it, as trauma came from outside, not inside the family). We're all unique, and our healing journey needs to reflect that. I like yoga but LOVE Chi Gong, while mindfulness does little but guided visualizations work wonders. Others have the opposite response. I'm glad you've found ways to deal with childhood trauma.

[@painpsychotherapy]

I'm sorry to hear what you have been through. It sounds like you are doing great healing work, and I'm so glad my videos are helpful. Keep going!

[@medusaslair]

@@thedancingdivaofdaviestree2320 - You're right, it was the ventral vagal state I was thinking of and meant. I'm glad that your trauma did not come from your family, since that is the most difficult trauma to heal. And I'm glad that you as well has found some tools that work for you. Best of luck on your continued healing journey.

[@thedancingdivaofdaviestree2320]

@@medusaslair Thank you, dear, for your comments. Wishing you too great success on your healing journey.

[@Glenn-zx3pd]

Glad to see you got upstairs and some natural light.

[@painpsychotherapy]

Yes, it felt like a nice change! Happy healing!

[@LindaJones-o1n]

Thank you so very much for your videos, I’m following all of them to try to make myself better , chronic fatigue and pain, I’ve had it since I was 14 years old I’m now 68 and willing to try anything , you are the best at explaining everything , thank you ,I’m so glad I found your videos, L J x

[@painpsychotherapy]

I'm so sorry to hear about your symptoms. I'm glad my content is helpful. Keep going!

[@adamrosefire]

Really nice video - I listened to it twice. I found your channel about a month ago and it’s been very helpful for me.

[@painpsychotherapy]

I'm so happy it was helpful. Keep going!

[@kayleighmitchell8853]

So fascinating. Thank you

[@painpsychotherapy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@karenpeters4457]

Whoa! That was jammed packed. Great integration of a vast body of info.

[@painpsychotherapy]

I'm so glad it was helpful. Happy healing!

[@josefine4416]

A gratitudelist!(Notice things in the room you are grateful for, helps you to connect with your environment)

[@painpsychotherapy]

Love that!

[@freddomptail1539]

Thanks Tanner, I am very grateful for your videos. I am been doing somatic exercises for a short while and this video is very comprehensive &helpful..

[@painpsychotherapy]

I'm so glad this was useful. Keep going!

[@alixnorman7389]

Thank you very much :) This helped a great deal. As someone with synesthesia, I've played around with the idea of giving sensation colour, shape, texture, sound. But you clarified the concept perfectly and gave me professional permission to lean into this when tracking! Really appreciate how you are giving concrete help, practical ideas. Thank you.

[@painpsychotherapy]

You're welcome! I'm so glad it was helpful. Happy healing!

[@jmbaus]

Yes, this video was very helpful, thank you for going over all the steps.

[@painpsychotherapy]

I"m so glad it was helpful. Happy healing!

[@champyandmorris]

Thank you such a great explanation.

[@painpsychotherapy]

You're welcome!

[@karimsabry9502]

Great video ❤ thanks for your careful & clear explanation as to how this works - it inspires confidence in the listener 🏆

[@painpsychotherapy]

I'm so glad it was helpful! Happy healing!

[@leahcalabro2787]

Thankyou🙏 Practise @3:06

[@painpsychotherapy]

You're welcome!

[@sandramedina9482]

Tanner I really find you helpful ❤

[@painpsychotherapy]

I'm so glad my content is helpful. Happy healing!

[@ManifestingItAll]

Thank you. This was a really good video. I have watched a few of your videos and found them helpful. You packed a lot of good information into this and covered a lot of principles. I really like that you address broader symptoms, such as fatigue and dizziness. I would appreciate it if you’re able to do a separate video, talking about orthostatic intolerance and the process for approaching those symptoms. Somatic experiencing of those symptoms is more challenging because the dizziness can leave you mentally confused and disoriented. Whereas with pain and fatigue, it’s easier to follow a step-by-step process to notice the sensation safely and titrate. A question: I’m curious to know whether you believe that people have to address past trauma to resolve symptoms, or is embodiment, and being in the moment, and addressing physical and emotional symptoms as they come up enough to heal long-standing, pain, fatigue, and orthostatic intolerance?

[@painpsychotherapy]

I'm so glad this video was helpful. I will do a somatic tracking for dizziness in the future. I have a good interview with a dizziness expert coming out this week! In terms of your question it really depends. I find processing past trauma is needed for many. Generally developing somatic awareness can be so helpful in the treatment of processing trauma.

[@ManifestingItAll]

@@painpsychotherapy thanks for the helpful response. A somatic tracking exercise would be awesome. Yours is the only channel I found with somatic tracking for fatigue. Although the general principles are the same with different symptoms, it’s much easier to follow along with a tracking exercise specific to your symptoms. I will watch the interview with Dr Yo. The brain fog and confusion with those symptoms is challenging. The brain fog that comes with the lightheadedness and the issues of safety, such as risk of accidents while walking or driving, make it challenging to safely “approach” and deal with it. Would also be interested in a somatic tracking for tinnitus. I have crickets, chirping non-stop.

[@painpsychotherapy]

@@ManifestingItAll I'm sorry to hear about the symptoms you are dealing with. I will try to make videos on these topics in the future! I wish you the best in your healing!

[@alandry6872]

I just don't get this. I never feel those hot or cold or tingly sensations or any of those suggested adjectives when doing somatic tracking. I feel an ache in my bladder (for 32 years), that's why I'm here. Should I be doing somatic tracking when I do or when I don't feel the pain? I do quite a few breathing exercises, I love walking in nature, yoga and sport. I recognise I live in my head a lot but how can I prove to myself I'm not "in my body"? Is there some quiz or test because I have great difficulty accepting it. Thanks in advance. And thanks for your brilliantly inspiring videos ❤

[@painpsychotherapy]

Sorry you are struggling with this. It can take time to develop body awareness, and noticing sensations besides pain. Yes, generally somatic tracking is done when the pain is mild to moderate.

[@aprilgross6247]

Hi Tanner. Thank you for your videos. I have watched most of them. Have you seen people with TMJ that presents with chronic jaw tension/neck tension, clenching at night that ends up being neuroplastic pain? I have been told there is nothing wrong with my TMJ joints. Just constant tension in my muscles - like bracing them. I had an original "cause" after my orothodontics came off 20 years ago, (thats when it started and I always blamed it on my braces that I wore as a young adult) but have not been able to shake the TMJ stuff since. So much fear with it. Another interesting thing is that when the TMJ muscle pain goes down for whatever reason, my lower left SI joint pain begins. Within the ONE DAY that my TMJ pain resolves....they don;t exist at the same time, but alternate. When they are BOTH gone, I have anxiety/depression. This is all so exhausting and depressing. I have only been on the neuroplastic pain journey for 3 weeks, so I am learning all I can. Thanks for your input.

[@painpsychotherapy]

I'm sorry to hear about your symptoms. Of course I cannot speak directly about your symptoms over social media, as I don't know your case fully. TMJ can be neuroplastic, but it is of course important to rule out structural causes. One thing that can commonly happen with neuroplastic pain is what Dr. Sarno called the symptom imperative, where the pain or symptoms move around to different places and anxiety can be part of this. I have a video on the symptom imperative that you could check out!

[@anneluciebrusadinsetrakian628]

I feel that I am like in a swing where I feel less constriction, some expansion. And then constriction. Again. Peter Levine explains it with the ombudsman sphere. I find these swings very challenging. What is the best way to work with it?

[@painpsychotherapy]

Yes this pendulation can be tricky and cause us to get caught in desregulation. I unfortunately cannot say what would be best for your case over social media. I will try to do a video on pendulation in the future. Overall we need to slowly give ourselves the ability to attend to all sensations in the body.

[@jackiegroden416]

No I’m stressing on getting the titration correct 😮

[@painpsychotherapy]

I apologize if I stressed you. I always tell people it is not going to be perfect, and we learn new things each time we attend somatically.

[@jackiegroden416]

@@painpsychotherapy it’s typical me and trying to get things perfectly… typical TMS? Lol

[@painpsychotherapy]

@@jackiegroden416 I'm also on the perfectionism train. Keep going!

[@Thebetterkeepsgettingbetter]

Do this a couple times a day in the beginning right?

[@painpsychotherapy]

Yes, it can depend person to person, but it is ideal to do often!

[@dr.amitabhamukherjee3601]

Are you referring to the predominant symptom -- in most cases PAIN, let's assume -- when you say 'sensations'?

[@painpsychotherapy]

In this video specifically it could be any sensations: pain, emotions, autonomic state ect. For specific videos on somatic tracking I am referring to a persons predominant symptom.

[@jenniferbauer3408]

What about if it feels safer to not turn away from sensations when super high? It feels more stressful to run away or distract. So maybe soothe AND feel the fatigue? Back and forth

[@painpsychotherapy]

Yes, this video was just a general process so everyone is going to be different. It is important to trust yourself if this feels right to you. Going back an forth between pleasant and unpleasant can be helpful. Keep going!

[@KellyNielsen-u2v]

How many times a day should I be doing somatic tracking?

[@painpsychotherapy]

This really depends person to person, and I can't say what would be best for your case. Typically 2-3 longer ones or several really brief (2 minute) ones I have found can be effective.

[@eileenlocke7877]

Thank u 🙏 I need to practice a lot I hv cronic pain it’s not going I keep practicing can u help me from th uk 🇬🇧

[@painpsychotherapy]

I'm sorry to hear about your chronic pain. I'm glad this video was helpful! Keep going!

[@fifiearthwanderer]

I am so confused on how to unlock the ability to be with the sensation. My body automatically supresses and sucks down the energy.

[@painpsychotherapy]

This definitely takes practice. If you are having difficulties, working with a somatic therapist in your area can be helpful!

[@eileenlocke7877]

Feeling confused with it all

[@painpsychotherapy]

I'm so sorry you are feeling confused about this. Let me know if you have any specific questions about somatic work.