Nowadays, it is increasingly common to feel emotionally unbalanced and to struggle with stress and difficult emotions. Thanks to its simplicity and accessibility, TRE exercises are an interesting alternative and complement to for traditional therapeutic methods. They are a way of releasing muscular tension by introducing vibrations into the body. They can contribute to stress reduction and can also be an effective method of trauma management and influence an increased sense of well-being.
The operation of this method is based on the body's natural, neurophysiological response to actions aimed at reduction of stress and restoration of emotional balance. Relieved tension does not require revisiting and recalling the experience that triggered it.
What is distinctive about TRE exercises and what accounts for their high effectiveness is the natural regulation of the amount of tension and emotion released. This is done at a rate at which your body is able to integrate them and thus restore balance in the body.
What is the TRE method?
The TRE method (Trauma Releasing Exercises) was developed by David Berceli - a psychotherapist considered to be the founder of the trauma treatment and stress management programme used by many international humanitarian organisations. It releases muscle tension and emotions caused by stress and traumatic events and is a continuation of a method of working with the body called bioenergetics, which was developed by Alexander Lowen.
TRE exercises, by means of a sequence of appropriate exercises, activate the tremor mechanism, lowering tension and releasing stress and trauma that the body is unable to discharge on its own. They make use of the body's flexibility and its ability to activate vibration. They allow the body to relax and strengthen and improve the emotional state by relaxing muscles from where tensions accumulate, such as the neck, back or hips. They are an excellent complement to traditional methods of treating chronic illnesses, and their effectiveness has been confirmed by scientific studies.
During TRE exercises by becoming aware of the body and its reactions to specific exercises, patients learn to release tension and to recognise and control their emotions. This method should be used by people suffering from anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress and other psychosomatic illnesses.
For whom will TRE exercises work?
TRE method works well with people who experience stress related to traumatic events, and to everyday life. It is used in the therapy of people suffering from psychosomatic illnesses, anxiety disorders, depression and post-traumatic stress which:
- suffer from traumas related to the past,
- experience stress and lack of energy,
- experience anxiety, and constant tension or fatigue,
- suffer from insomnia, as the method significantly affects the quality of sleep,
- need to relax and de-stress,
- experience insecurity,
- struggle with muscle pain and back pain.
TRE exercises - effects
TRE makes it possible to alleviate, without the use of pharmacological agents, many problems associated with nervous system stress, such as:
- anxiety:
- sleep problems,
- depression,
- ADHD,
- poor emotional regulation.
Through exercise, the activation of vibration allows for the relaxation of tensions and the release of traumas stored in the body, which contributes to a sense of security, as well as the reduction of muscular pain and improved wellbeing.
It is important that each patient performs the exercises correctly, and that they work with a qualified therapist who helps them to get to know their own body. This is because the release of tension is possible by adapting the correct exercise sequences to the individual needs of the patient. In order to do this, he or she must get to know his or her own body and learn to recognise neurogenic tremors.
The basis of this method is a set of seven simple exercises that activate the body's natural tremor. By activating this mechanism, it follows:
- calming the nervous system,
- muscle relaxation and reduction of muscle tension,
- release of trauma and stress,
- discharge of strong emotions,
- restoring balance to the body,
- increasing emotional resilience,
- improving sleep quality, focus and concentration,
- deep relaxation,
- relief from physical pain.
Contraindications to the TRE method
However, TRE exercises have some contraindications, as they are not advisable for people who suffer from:
- neurological diseases,
- rheumatic diseases,
- blood pressure disorders or arrhythmia,
- have recently undergone trauma or surgery, especially heart surgery,
- have an implanted pacemaker.
The following are also considered contraindications to the TRE method:
- pregnancy,
- joint sprains and strains,
- bone fracture,
- epilepsy,
- hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia,
- serious mental disorders treated with pharmacological agents.
