Sharing

As I re-engaged with a few still available sessions from the Healing Trauma Summit (Sounds True) and further explored some theories and ideas I fumbled upon a very relevant e-book: Healing Trauma and Pain through Polyvagal Science and Its Interlocking Somatic Interventions by Maggie Phillips PhD (2015), in which the sympathetic/adrenal branch of the polyvagal system and some of its interlocking patterns with dorsal vagal shutdown and social engagement, the ventral vagal/social engagement system and the dorsal vagal system are examined with Peter Levine, Stephen Porges, and Maggie Phillips at: http://maggiephillipsphd.com

The book explores links between trauma, neuroscience, social engagement and the defensive functions of the nervous system, and the applications of polyvagal theory, Somatic Experiencing and other body focused approaches to healing and integration. Specifically, chapter two ‘explores the hierarchical patterns of the polyvagal system and how the newest system, the ventral vagal system, calms us and creates safety while the older circuits provide for defense. Porges discusses how neuroception helps us to detect safety in multiple ways that we are unaware of. One example is voice prosody that includes pitch, rhythm, high tones of intonation. Another is the muscles of the head and face that indicate a spontaneous, trustworthy smile. Porges also indicates the importance of neuropeptides, especially oxytocin and vasopressin, in the creation of safety through the ventral vagal system. The slow exhalation breathing approach is offered as a way to dampen the defense systems and increase myelinated ventral vagal activity’. Chapter three presents ‘a dynamic discussion of the dorsal vagal component of the polyvagal system and its complex interactions with the ventral vagal social engagement system and with the sympathetic/adrenal fight-flight system of defense and regulation. One of the most important principles that was emphasized multiple times in different ways is the importance of bringing in safety through ventral vagal social engagement. In the treatment of trauma and pain, this must be accomplished by steering the healing relationship through what Stephen has termed “biological rudeness” as social cues are misinterpreted, acoustical sounds are perceived as dangerous and predatorial, and both members of the relationship are triggered to withdraw. Although this is extremely challenging work, there is much hope in the strategies offered here. The gift of simple presence can help defense and shutdown shift to connection and healing. Belly breathing and “voo” sounding extends the exhalation and the soothing feeling of ventral vagal engagement. Simple movement like walking around the office can help clients who have great difficulty with social engagement through eye contact and other connection. We can help sympathetic containment by teaching vocabulary to our clients so they can stay connected to their own body experience and to us. Encouraging movement on an exercise ball or special trampoline that is safe and increases social engagement is hugely healing. Gentle rocking movements can similarly be a safe and enjoyable way to enter the ventral vagal system while beginning to move out of shutdown. Finally, tending to the acoustic environment and enhancing prosodic qualities of the therapist’s voice can also expand the ventral vagal engagement so that all 3 branches help move the organism into homeostasis and wholeness’.