Studies have shown that people who develop fibromylagia were often abused or neglected as children. Ongoing stress in childhood can disrupt the nervous and immune systems in a way that increases the risk of fibro – and many other conditions, including arthritis and depression.
But there are often also genetic or environmental influences. These kinds of health conditions seldom have only one cause.
Trauma recovery or release alleviates the trauma. But other issues, which may be more medical or neurological, should be managed medically. If you had flu or cancer, you would not expect TRE to cure you. It’s the same for fibro.
I regularly have clients with fibro contact me because a counsellor or coach said they are carrying trauma in their bodies. Often, the coach has suggested TRE, but without a clear understanding of what it can and cannot achieve. Only a qualified TRE provider should assess whether TRE is likely to help without causing undue risks.
It is true that trauma survivors tend to carry residual effects in their bodies and brains. Many people with fibro are in that group. But I avoid doing TRE straight away with a client who has fibro and is in pain, or if the pain is not medically managed. (I do not view self-administered paracetamol or codeine as sufficient.) I am also cautious if a client has chronic anxiety.
The first step in trauma recovery is to build a sense of safety as well as body awareness. TRE can help to develop these qualities, but something must first exist for the client to be a suitable candidate for TRE. People with fibro often find it very difficult to be fully present in their bodies, precisely because their body is so sore! This a nice catch-22. Where to start?
I recommend something less confrontational than TRE as the first step. Gentle touch, walking in nature, and dance therapy may be safer alternatives. TRE can always be added later, once there is a level of comfort within the body. Another necessary first step might be for the client to get onto medical pain management. Ideally, TRE should only be done once the person’s pain is manageable. If you try TRE when your body is already in flaming pain, every unfamiliar movement can feel like a threat or a source of new pain.