Somatic Therapy Protocols for Emotional Rewiring

This framework maps emotions to their corresponding nervous system states, brain regions, body patterns, and movement-based regulation strategies, ranked from least regulated (lowest frequency) to most regulated (highest frequency).

Each emotional state has a specific autonomic & physical expression—which means we can intervene through movement, breathwork, and sensory input.

✅ Example: Transitioning from Shame (Low Frequency) to Confidence (Higher Frequency)

Step	Targeted Shift	Somatic & Movement Strategy
1. Address Dorsal Vagal Collapse	Release contraction in chest & diaphragm	Chest expansion (hands pressing outward, deep exhalation with vocalization)
2. Restore Verticality & Postural Presence	Move from inward collapse to upright support	Midline activation (standing weight shifts, wall-supported back alignment)
3. Engage Safe Relational Co-Regulation	Reduce social fear & avoidance	Partnered mirroring, slow eye-tracking exercises

 

💡 Practical Application: This can be structured as a movement therapy session or a self-guided practice for clients struggling with shame-based responses.

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2. Self-Tracking & Regulation Tools

A practical application for individuals would be a self-assessment tool that helps them:

• Identify which emotional state they are currently in.
• Track their body’s physical responses to different emotions.
• Use simple movement & breath-based interventions to shift state.

💡 Possible Applications:

• Interactive App or Worksheet → "Where am I in my nervous system?" → Suggests movement interventions.
• Daily Somatic Check-In Tool → "How do I feel in my body?" → Guides toward somatic regulation strategies.
• Personalized Regulation Plan → Clients track emotional shifts over time & learn their most effective interventions.

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3. Developmental Repatterning: Unlocking Emotional Processing Through Reflexive & Early Movement Work

Because early movement patterns and primitive reflexes were tied to the formation of emotional circuits, we can use developmental repatterning to shift emotional states at the root level.

✅ Example: Using Reflex Integration to Unblock Emotional Responses

Primitive Reflex	Emotional Tie	Repatterning Movement
Moro Reflex (Startle Reflex)	Chronic hypervigilance (fear, insecurity)	Rhythmic rocking, slow extension-flexion drills
Fear Paralysis Reflex	Freeze response, avoidance (dread, shutdown)	Core expansion, slow reaching & weight shifting
Rooting Reflex	Difficulty receiving support (abandonment, longing)	Gentle head rotation, self-containment exercises

 

💡 Practical Application:

• For therapists & bodyworkers: Integrating reflex work into somatic therapy for emotional regulation.
• For individuals: Self-guided exercises based on early movement patterns to resolve stuck emotional states.

  

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Neuro-Somatic Hierarchy of Emotions (Least to Most Regulated)

Rank Emotion Brain Activation Autonomic State Somatic Patterns Regulation Strategies 1 (Lowest Frequency, Most Dysregulated) Apathy PFC shutdown, Low dopamine Severe dorsal vagal collapse (emotional numbness) Flat affect, slumped posture, disengaged breath Cold exposure, resistance training, tactile stimulation 2 Shame Overactive ACC & Amygdala Dorsal vagal with sympathetic bursts Hunched posture, avoiding eye contact, constricted chest Chest expansion, mirror work, slow self-touch 3 Fear Amygdala & Hypothalamus Sympathetic fight/flight Muscle tension, rapid breath, hypervigilance Grounding, tremoring, slow weighted movements 4 Dread Amygdala + Prefrontal Loop Freeze state (sympathetic-dorsal mix) Breath holding, jaw tension, curling inward Breath expansion, micro-movements, orienting exercises 5 Grief ACC, Insula, Serotonin System Sympathetic → Dorsal transition Heaviness, collapsed chest, deep sighing Weighted breathing, rhythmic rocking, vocal release 6 Jealousy Amygdala, Insula, Dopamine Sympathetic activation Tension in gut, obsessive scanning Twisting torso release, vagal reset, distraction shift 7 Disgust Insula, Basal Ganglia, OFC Dorsal vagal suppression Throat tightening, facial grimace Jaw relaxation, breath expansion, soft swallowing 8 Regret mPFC, Dopamine, Hippocampus Mild sympathetic activation Hands gripping, furrowed brow, stomach discomfort Forward-focused movement, cognitive breath release 9 Guilt ACC, mPFC, Oxytocin Sympathetic (anxious guilt) or Dorsal (shame guilt) Shrinking posture, chest tightness Breath pacing, self-compassion touch, repair gestures 10 Frustration Dopamine misfiring, PAG Mild sympathetic tension Clenched jaw, short breathing Shake-based movement, grip-release exercises 11 Judgment PFC, ACC, Amygdala Sympathetic activation Rigid posture, furrowed brow, held breath Postural softening, eye contact work, deep sighs 12 Resentment Amygdala-PFC loop Sympathetic activation, dorsal inhibition Jaw clenching, stiff shoulders, rigid breath Voice activation, push-based movement, tremor release 13 Contempt OFC, Insula, Amygdala Sympathetic with dorsal disengagement Asymmetrical lip curl, relaxed but rigid body Jaw release, social engagement exercises 14 Insecurity Overactive Amygdala + mPFC Sympathetic overdrive Fidgeting, shrinking posture, shallow breath Breathwork, posture expansion, graded exposure 15 Anger Amygdala, PAG, Dopamine Sympathetic fight response Clenched fists, forceful exhalation, expanded chest Controlled striking, stomping, breath release 16 Remorse ACC, Oxytocin, Amygdala Ventral vagal engagement Open hand gestures, relaxed posture Forward movement, reconciliation practices 17 Relief Prefrontal Cortex, Vagus Ventral vagal dominance Sighing, relaxed shoulders Breath pacing, progressive muscle relaxation 18 Humility mPFC, rTPJ, Insula Ventral vagal balance Relaxed but upright posture, effortless breath Slow, deliberate movement, social mirroring 19 Awe Prefrontal Deactivation, Parietal Cortex Ventral vagal activation Eye widening, slow scanning Upward reaching, panoramic vision tracking 20 Joy Dopamine, Endorphins, Vagus Ventral (calm joy) or Sympathetic (excited joy) Expansive breath, bouncy movement Jumping, rhythmic movement, laughter breathwork 21 (Highest Frequency, Most Regulated) Love Oxytocin, Dopamine, PFC Attachment (Ventral Vagal) or Passion (Sympathetic) Deep eye contact, relaxed shoulders, synchronized breath Deep pressure touch, synchronized breathing

How This Model Can Be Used

1. Tracking Emotional Dysregulation → Regulation Pathways
• Moving from low-frequency emotions (dysregulated states) toward higher-frequency emotions (regulated states) through nervous system interventions.
• Example: Apathy → Physical activation → Breath regulation → Restoring engagement → Social co-regulation.
2. Personalized Somatic & Movement Therapy
• Mapping where an individual is stuck in their nervous system response and using targeted movement strategies to shift state.
3. Clinical & Therapeutic Integration
• Allows body-based practitioners, trauma specialists, and movement therapists to integrate autonomic regulation strategies into emotional processing.

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