Somatic therapy for chronic pain

A tight jaw, grinding teeth, aching lower back, stiff neck, shoulders that won't drop: these are some of the most common physical complaints people bring to doctors, dentists, physiotherapists, and massage therapists. Treatment often provides temporary relief, but the tension returns. That's because the root cause isn't in the muscles themselves. It's in the nervous system that's telling them to brace.

Where the body holds pain

Chronic pain from muscular tension tends to concentrate in specific areas, each linked to the body's stress response.

• The jaw and face. Clenching, grinding (bruxism), and TMJ dysfunction are direct expressions of a nervous system in fight mode. The jaw is one of the strongest muscle groups in the body, and it activates reflexively when we suppress the urge to speak, cry, or express anger. Over time, this habitual clenching creates pain, headaches, and dental damage.

• The psoas and lower back. The psoas muscles run from the lower spine through the pelvis to the thighs. Often called the body's "fight-or-flight muscles," they contract during stress to prepare you to run or curl up protectively. When stress is chronic, the psoas stays shortened and tight, pulling on the lower spine and creating persistent back pain, hip stiffness, and a sense of being "wound up."

• The shoulders and neck. The classic "carrying the weight of the world" pattern. Chronic elevation of the shoulders and tension through the neck and upper back are among the most common stress-related complaints, often worsened by desk work and screen time.

• The diaphragm. Sitting between the jaw and the lower back, the diaphragm connects them all. When breathing becomes shallow and restricted (a hallmark of chronic stress and anxiety), the diaphragm tightens, compressing the spine from above while the psoas pulls from below. This creates a chain of tension through the entire torso.

Why the tension keeps coming back

Your body's muscular tension is regulated by the autonomic nervous system. When you're under stress, whether from a single overwhelming event or years of accumulated pressure, the nervous system signals the muscles to brace and protect. Over time, this protective bracing becomes habitual, locked into the body even when the original stress has passed.

That's why stretching, massage, and painkillers often provide only temporary relief. They address the symptom without reaching the nervous system pattern that's driving it.

How somatic therapy helps

Rather than treating each area in isolation, somatic practices address the nervous system pattern that's driving the tension in all of them simultaneously.

• Releasing from the core outward. TRE™ (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises) was specifically designed to activate tremoring from the psoas muscles outward. The neurogenic tremors originate deep in the core and spread through the body, releasing tension at a depth that conscious stretching cannot reach. Many people notice immediate relief in their lower back after a single session.

• Freeing the jaw and diaphragm. Conscious Connected Breathwork requires breathing through an open mouth, which naturally releases habitual jaw clenching. The continuous circular breath also mobilises the diaphragm, softening the entire chain of tension from jaw to pelvis. People who grind their teeth at night often notice a reduction after regular breathwork practice.

• Interrupting the bracing pattern. Both practices help the nervous system learn that it's safe to let go of its protective tension. Over time, the body's baseline shifts from braced and guarded to more open and at ease. This isn't about one-off relief. It's about changing the pattern that creates the tension in the first place.

Beyond symptom management

If you've tried massage, physiotherapy, mouth guards, or painkillers and the tension keeps coming back, it's worth considering that the issue isn't structural. It's neurological. Your nervous system is running a programme of protection that was useful at some point but is now creating chronic pain.

Somatic therapy doesn't compete with these other approaches. It complements them by addressing the layer they can't reach: the autonomic nervous system's holding pattern. Many people find that after a few sessions of TRE™, they notice changes that go beyond pain relief: better sleep, more fluid movement, deeper breathing, and a general sense of being more at home in their body.

What to expect

In our workshops, you'll experience both TRE™ and breathwork in a supportive, facilitated environment. The exercises are gentle and accessible, requiring no special fitness or flexibility. Our facilitators will guide you through each step and help you find the right intensity for your body.

Many people with chronic pain notice a tangible difference after their first session. With continued practice, the changes tend to deepen and become more lasting.

If you'd like to discuss whether our workshops might help with your specific situation, please get in touch.

Note: While somatic therapy can be very effective for tension-related chronic pain, it is not a substitute for medical diagnosis. If you have an undiagnosed pain condition, please consult your healthcare provider.