Can Breathwork Heal Trauma? The Science Behind Breathwork's Healing Power

Trauma overwhelms an individual's ability to process and integrate experiences. It can be a single incident or repeated exposure to traumatic events. Trauma gets stuck in the body when there is incomplete processing due to dissociation during fight, flight, or freeze responses. This leads to an overactive amygdala and reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex. Somatic manifestations of trauma include muscle pain, chronic pain, altered breathing patterns, disrupted sleep, and digestive issues. Breathwork, specifically conscious connected breathing, can help release trauma by regulating the autonomic nervous system and allowing the body to rest and repair. It can also help release stored tension, emotions, and reconnect the mind and body. Breathwork activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reduces cortisol, and increases endorphins and oxytocin. It enhances brain activity, neuroplasticity, and cognitive function. Breathwork is a powerful somatic therapy that can be combined with traditional trauma therapies.

Takeaways

Trauma overwhelms an individual's ability to process and integrate experiences.

Breathwork can help release trauma by regulating the autonomic nervous system and allowing the body to rest and repair.

Breathwork can help release stored tension, emotions, and reconnect the mind and body.

Breathwork activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reduces cortisol, and increases endorphins and oxytocin.

Breathwork enhances brain activity, neuroplasticity, and cognitive function.

Breathwork is a powerful somatic therapy that can be combined with traditional trauma therapies.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Trauma and its Effects

02:07 How Trauma Gets Stuck in the Body

04:34 The Power of Breathwork in Releasing Trauma

05:53 Reconnecting the Mind and Body through Breathwork

08:09 Processing Difficult Emotions with Breathwork

13:13 Breathwork as a Complementary Therapy for Trauma