We all have scars; stories and memories that we hold in our bodies and hearts.
Image by Lisa Sorgini
What we see - and feel - in a body is shaped by more than meets the eye.
Our tissues are impacted by
our nervous system
the health and hydration of our tissues at the time the incision was made
how we felt, moved and breathed in the days and weeks that followed the event
Which means there is a big difference between parts of our bodies that healed from an emergency or traumatic circumstances - and those that were not scarred.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot the last few weeks as I compared the healing process of my investigative laparoscopy in January, to the emergency laparoscopy for my ectopic pregnancy (in 2021).
I was expecting this recovery to be painful and tediously long like last time - but here is why it’s been so different.
My mental health and subsequent breath, posture and ability to heal was really strong this time around. This surgery was an empowering choice as I look for answers to ongoing questions. It was an investment in my future quality of life.
I was able to prepare, to eat well, be hydrated, massage my skin and stretch. I felt relaxed and aware of what I was participating in when I went into hospital on the day.
I see a similar ability to recover in my clients who have spent time preparing for their birth or surgery.
Imagine the difference, from being wheeled into emergency semi conscious, clothes cut off, pumped rapidly with strong painkillers. My body-mind had no warning. It was life or death and my nervous system took months to feel safe again. It’s similar when we prepare for labour or surgery, big life events and changes; the body is better equiped to heal and process, the nervous system better able to regulate and initiate feelings of calm and ease.
And if you’ve experienced an emergency of some kind, maybe you can relate. This memory, a fear and protective gripping is what your body can hold for many years afterwards, if you’ve had a traumatic experience.
Time and talk therapy on its own doesn’t always heal this kind of deep tension. Sometimes we need somatic help, to gently release gripping and protecting patterns.
The release comes in many forms,
in being heard
manual fascial release
the safety and held environment
breath retraining
core muscle re-integration
the incredibly quick (and satisfying!) progress this method makes.
Some scars can’t be seen.
This abdominal release is also an amazing release for women who have experienced
vaginal births
birth trauma
cancer surgery
hypertonic pelvic floor
chronic stress