Navigating PTSD Recovery Through Somatic Healing
- Jen Meller
- Apr 9
- 3 min read
PTSD recovery can feel messy and confusing—like trying to find your way through a fog. You know you’re safe now, but your body still feels on edge. That stuck feeling isn’t just in your mind, it’s in your body. And when trauma is stored physically, no amount of thinking or talking seems to help you fully relax.
Recovery isn’t about pushing through or figuring it all out intellectually. It’s about reconnecting with your body—listening to what it’s holding and finding ways to gently release that tension. Somatic healing offers a way forward. Instead of trying to “fix” yourself, you’re giving your body space to process what it has been carrying.
What we will cover in this blog:
The Body’s Role in PTSD
Trauma isn’t just a memory—it’s something your body experiences and holds onto. When something overwhelming happens, your nervous system activates survival responses: fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. If this response isn’t fully processed, the energy gets stuck.
This is why PTSD symptoms often show up physically—tight muscles, shallow breathing, trouble sleeping, and digestive issues are signs your system is still bracing for danger. Even if you know intellectually that you’re safe, your body might not have gotten the message.
Understanding this can be a relief. You’re not doing something wrong—your nervous system is still trying to protect you. Recovery isn’t about forcing yourself to feel different; it’s about helping your body recognize that the danger has passed.
Somatic Healing: A Body-Based Approach
Somatic healing works with your body instead of against it. It’s not about trying to “calm down” or think your way out of anxiety—it’s about gently supporting your nervous system as it shifts out of survival mode.
This might look like:
Breathwork – Deep breathing signals to your nervous system that you’re safe.
Gentle movement – Stretching, walking, or shaking off tension helps release stored energy.
Body awareness – Noticing physical sensations without judgment builds trust with your body.
Somatic healing isn’t about doing it “right.” Some days, breathwork might help; other days, movement might feel better. Your body knows what it needs. Recovery is about learning to trust that.
Challenges in PTSD Recovery
One of the hardest parts of this process is accepting that healing isn’t linear. Some days, you’ll feel more grounded; other days, it might feel like you’re back where you started. That’s not failure—it’s part of the process.
Another misconception is that talking about trauma is enough. Understanding your past matters, but your body also needs a way to release stored survival responses.
And healing isn’t about getting rid of difficult emotions. It’s about learning to hold them with more space, less fear.
Building Trust with Your Body
Rebuilding trust takes time. When your body has been stuck in survival mode, it’s natural to feel disconnected or even resentful toward it. But trust grows when you start listening to your body instead of trying to fix it.
It might look like:
Noticing when your breath is shallow and gently deepening it.
Feeling your shoulders tense and softening them when you’re ready.
Recognizing a racing heart and sitting with the sensation without judgment.
Trust is built through consistency and curiosity. The more you show up with patience, the more your body becomes something you can inhabit safely. It’s not about forcing yourself to relax—it’s about giving your body permission to soften when it’s ready.
Healing Happens in the Small Moments
PTSD recovery isn’t about achieving perfect peace—it’s about learning to be with yourself, even when things feel hard. Somatic healing offers a path to reconnect with your body, to listen to its cues, and to meet yourself with compassion instead of frustration.
There’s no rush. Healing happens in quiet moments—when you notice your breath, soften your shoulders, or give yourself permission to rest. Your body knows the way forward. Recovery isn’t about controlling the process—it’s about learning to trust your body’s wisdom and following its lead.
