Somatic Therapy Explained: Feel Away Your Symptoms

Aug 28, 2025

Discover how somatic therapy can provide a powerful antidote to chronic pain by addressing bodily sensations rather than just thoughts. The hosts explore the profound link between trauma and physical symptoms, revealing how our bodies hold memories that our minds often forget. Learn to navigate uncomfortable sensations with curiosity while ensuring safety for healing. They share practical techniques like breathwork and somatic movement, emphasizing a balance between exposure to sensations and creating a safe environment for emotional regulation.

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INSIGHT

Top-Down Therapy Limits

Top-down therapies change thoughts to influence emotions and the nervous system.
They work well but often aren't enough alone for chronic pain or trauma.

INSIGHT

What Bottom-Up Somatic Work Does

Bottom-up or somatic approaches work by noticing body sensations and nervous system states.
These approaches aim to regulate the nervous system, express emotions, and restore safety with sensations.

INSIGHT

Trauma Doubles Chronic Pain Risk

Trauma strongly increases later risk of chronic pain and symptoms.
Because of that link, somatic bottom-up work is essential for many clients with chronic pain.

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Ever wondered why changing your thoughts isn't enough to heal chronic pain? Somatic therapy might be the missing piece of your healing puzzle.

We dive deep into the crucial distinction between top-down approaches (like CBT and traditional talk therapy) that focus on changing thoughts, and bottom-up approaches that work directly with body sensations and nervous system regulation. While cognitive work has value, when it comes to chronic pain, trauma, and nervous system dysregulation, you simply can't think your way out of what your body needs to process and release.

The connection between trauma and chronic pain is profound - research shows even a single traumatic event more than doubles your risk of developing chronic symptoms later. Your body remembers what your mind might prefer to forget, which is why somatic approaches are so powerful for lasting healing.

We break down the two essential elements of effective somatic work: exposure to difficult sensations and creating safety. Like our five-year-old daughter who gets angry at her stomach for making her cry, we all naturally resist unpleasant internal experiences. Learning to approach these sensations with curiosity while simultaneously building safety signals unique to your nervous system is the key to rewiring pain patterns.

Whether you're new to somatic work or looking to deepen your practice, this episode provides practical guidance on finding the right balance between exposure and safety. We share personal examples, and concrete techniques to help you feel your way to healing. Don't miss the free embodiment practice for pain and symptoms in the episode description - it's your chance to experience this transformative approach firsthand.

Subscribe to the MindBodyCouple podcast for more insights on unlearning chronic pain and reclaiming your health through the wisdom of your body.

Embodiment Practice for Pain & Symptoms: https://youtu.be/HlcUQMa9A54

Tanner Murtagh and Anne Hampson are therapists who treat neuroplastic pain and mind-body symptoms. They are also married! In his 20s, Tanner overcame chronic pain and a fibromyalgia diagnosis by learning his symptoms were occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. Post-healing, Tanner and Anne have dedicated their lives to developing effective treatment and education for neuroplastic pain and symptoms. Listen and learn how to assess your own chronic pain and symptoms, gain tools to retrain the brain and nervous system, and make gradual changes in your life and health!

The Mind-Body Couple podcast is owned by Pain Psychotherapy Canada Inc. This podcast is produced by Alex Klassen, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/

Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com

Also check out Tanner's YouTube channel for more free education and practices: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Fl6WaFHnh4ponuexaMbFQ

And follow us for daily education posts on Instagram: @painpsychotherapy

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