What Is Developmental Trauma and How Can Massage Help

Nina Dali

Jun 11, 2024 • 5 min read

In this blog, we discuss how most people think of trauma. Typically, they imagine patients being rushed into the ER with serious injuries or individuals who have experienced something emotionally scarring. We often associate trauma with events that negatively impact our physical or mental state of well-being.

But did you know that certain traumatic events or situations can also have powerful effects on our physical and mental development?

It’s a serious issue that affects many individuals, yet many people don’t understand its depth. Fortunately, some treatment methods have been found to have great results for these developmental issues.

Below, we explore what developmental trauma is and how massage therapy can help.

What is Developmental Trauma?

Developmental trauma, also known as Developmental Trauma Disorder or Adverse Childhood Experiences, is a term commonly used to describe childhood trauma such as chronic abuse, neglect, or other harsh adversities that typically occur at home.

Who Does It Affect?

Unfortunately, it is the mistreated children who are most affected. Events during a child’s early years typically have the harshest impacts, but even children in their pre-teen or early teenage years can experience trauma that affects them indefinitely.

What Are The Root Causes Of It?

Developmental trauma occurs when a child is in situations of overwhelming stress and their caregivers are either unable or unwilling to provide aid in relieving that stress. In worst-case scenarios, the caregivers are the cause of the stress. Ongoing physical or emotional abuse and neglect are the two most common traumatic experiences that children can endure. These situations cause an array of emotional, cognitive, and physical illnesses that impact how they progress through their lives.

What Are The Effects?

Developmental trauma disturbs a child’s brain development. A child’s brain develops from the bottom up. The lower parts of our brains are responsible for functions dedicated to ensuring survival and responding to stress, while the upper parts are responsible for executive functions. Proper development of the upper portions of our brains relies on the full development of the lower portions.

What Treatments Are Available?

There is no real “cure” for developmental trauma. Dealing with it requires unique, multi-layered approaches and, most importantly, time. Some common therapies used to help ease or reverse the effects for those suffering from developmental trauma include:

Attachment Theory-Oriented Approaches: Developmental trauma is like a puzzle, and the most effective way to treat it is to target the different pieces individually rather than tackling the overall issue as a whole.
Neuro-Sequential Model of Therapeutics: This model focuses on recovering and repairing each part of a child’s brain in a specific, phased, and effective order. It structures the assessment of a child, articulates the primary problems, identifies key strengths, and applies interventions.
Massage Therapy: Massage therapy is widely known for its wide range of physical and mental benefits and is used to treat various injuries, diseases, and disorders. Keep reading to find out more about how massage therapy is now being used as part of the treatment for individuals suffering from developmental trauma.

How Can Massage Therapy Help Treat It?

Similarly to how massage therapy is used to help treat PTSD, it can also be helpful in the treatment process for developmental trauma patients. One type of therapy is not enough to treat developmental trauma as a whole, but each therapy plays a part in relieving certain symptoms and effects. Individuals suffering from developmental trauma often experience symptoms such as sleep disturbances, chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and migraines.

Massage therapy is commonly used to heal these types of issues, so why not use it to ease the symptoms of developmental trauma as well? Reducing symptoms may not cure the root of the problem, but it can ease the suffering of the individual. Different types of symptoms require different types of massage therapy, and there are certain risks associated with massage therapy, so it is important to consult with a medical professional before starting this type of treatment.

Conclusion

Could integrated massage therapy be the next thing you try out? Tailored, thorough, and blending the best of both worlds, it helps you hit peak wellness. Check out Elite Massage UK and our services! Book now.

What Is Developmental Trauma And How Can Massage Help

Nina Dali

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