Integrative Medicine for Trauma Recovery: Healing the Embodiment of Adversity

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and other traumatic exposures are the most important known determinants of physical, emotional, and social health and illness across the life span. Trauma is toxic to developing and adult brains and bodies and derails the development of optimal physiology. Traumatic experiences may occur in and outside the family, as well as within organizations, systems, communities, and society. Through over-stimulation of the brain, causing neuroinflammation and leading to chronic illness, trauma becomes embodied. Although Western medicine and psychiatry have been largely ineffective in trauma recovery, prevention and healing are possible. Through transforming the medical paradigm, harnessing the principles of neuroplasticity and resilience and employment of integrative practices, we can ignite and foster patients’ innate healing potential. Examples of healing opportunities to facilitate trauma recovery include the patient/provider relationship, yoga, meditation, creative self-expression, EMDR, and neurofeedback as well as community capacity-building, adoption of trauma-informed practices, and policy change.