Neurogenic Tremors

The Connections Between Tremors and Trauma

If you have experienced one or more traumatic events, you likely know that the impacts of these events can be severe. Trauma can affect how you see the world and yourself, as well as your physical well-being, emotional health, and interpersonal relationships.

While we may try to push the things that have happened away, doing so can have detrimental consequences. That is why treatment is critical for the millions of Americans affected by trauma. You don’t have to go through it alone. We are here to help!

Neurogenic tremors induced by a qualified professional are just one treatment used to address trauma and stress, but how do they work? This article will go over how neurogenic tremors work to address PTSD and CPTSD and how our programs for treating trauma at Icarus Behavioral Health can assist you or your loved one in finding relief from traumatic stress!

What are Neurogenic Tremors?

Neurogenic tremors feel exactly like you’d imagine tremors to feel. When you have neurogenic tremors, you will shake or quiver. They aren’t dangerous. Instead, they’re the central nervous system’s innate way of releasing stress hormones in the body.

Some people experience neurogenic tremors as a natural stress response. If this happens to you, it could be a sign that you’re overly or chronically stressed and your body wants relief. However, neurogenic can also be induced by a treatment called Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE). TRE is a treatment that invokes neurogenic tremors as a way of discharging excessive tension in the body and triggering the central nervous system’s automated responses. In turn, your mind and body enter a relaxed state.

Our trauma treatment and recovery programs offer TRE as an addition to other therapies (e.g., talk therapy) to ensure that the impacts of trauma are addressed comprehensively. Although some symptoms may still be present, healing from the effects of trauma through treatment can help the human body organically restore itself to a more relaxed state of physical and emotional health.

How are Neurogenic Tremors Used to Address Trauma?

When we’re faced with a threat, our central nervous system reacts. Our bodies enter what’s called “fight or flight mode.” People may experience a fight, flight, or freeze response when they’re in this state. If you’re truly in immediate danger, this is a protective response. However, when we experience trauma, what often happens is that our central nervous system becomes overly reactive and stays in a stress response even when we don’t need it to. Often, this is referred to as “hyperarousal.”

The problem with being in this high-alert state all of the time is that it can cause a number of serious physical and mental health effects. If you’ve experienced trauma or have a trauma disorder, you may notice that you have chronic pain, stress, heightened anxiety, or other symptoms. You could have trouble sleeping or feel hypervigilant often. Being in a constant state of stress is also known to raise the risk of many long-term health conditions. For example, stroke, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

Since neurogenic tremors help the body “let go” of excessive tension and built-up energy, they provide physical and emotional relief. The exercises in TRE are meant to invoke tremors from the deepest core muscles and connective tissues in the body for optimal effect. Research shows that TRE is effective, with both short and long-term positive outcomes.

Rapid Muscle Contraction and Trauma

Now that you know how tremors work to address trauma and complex trauma and restore the body to a state of balance, you may wonder what a TRE session will look like in action.

In a safe and controlled environment, a provider will walk you through a sequence of easy stretches or muscle contraction and relaxation exercises that induce slight shaking, even as your deepest core muscle groups release. Once your body is trembling slightly, you will allow the natural vibrations to move through your body without attempting to control or stop them.

Many people say that they experience emotional relief, enjoy the process, and feel less stressed after finishing the trauma-release exercises. It is simple and holistic, which is what drives many people to use neurogenic tremors as a treatment.

Best Treatment Programs for Trauma

The best trauma programs will always combine evidence-based therapies and treatments. Icarus Behavioral Health offers the top treatments used to address trauma and trauma disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or complex PTSD. We also offer a full continuum of care so that you can choose the level of care or program that works best for you.

Here are our treatment programs that can help you heal. If you aren’t sure which level of care is ideal for you, our admissions team can help.

Inpatient Treatment

We offer inpatient treatment for most mental health conditions and concerns. Our inpatient treatment programs provide an immersive experience that allows you to focus entirely on your healing process and temporarily remove yourself from the demands of daily life. In inpatient treatment at Icarus Behavioral Health, you’ll live on-site for the duration of your program. Our luxury amenities make our facilities a comfortable place to stay. During the day, you’ll engage in a combination of individual and group therapy, recreation, and other treatments or activities.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment allows you to live off-campus while receiving comprehensive treatment at our facilities throughout the week. Multiple levels of outpatient care are available at Icarus Behavioral Health so that you can access the support you need with the flexibility necessary to fulfill your other responsibilities and obligations.

Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) at Icarus Behavioral Health provide the most intensive level of outpatient treatment. Clients engage in group therapy, individual therapy, and other applicable treatments most days on any given week for the duration of their program but sleep at home while in PHP.

Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) are more flexible and require a lower time commitment, but the treatment activities you’ll engage in are similar to those seen in PHP. Many clients move down to IOP after residential trauma treatment for continued support. IOP can also be ideal for those with work, school, or childcare commitments.

Find Help for PTSD and Complex Trauma at Icarus Today

Icarus Behavioral Health is a top-rated mental health and substance abuse treatment center in New Mexico with specialized programs that address trauma and other concerns. We accept most major insurance carriers, and our staff members are here to answer your questions or verify your health insurance coverage for free any day of the week.

All calls are completely confidential, so please reach out in confidence today to get options and assistance in moving toward a trauma-free future!

FAQs on Trauma and Neurogenic Tremors

What is therapeutic or neurogenic trembling?

Therapeutic or neurogenic trembling is when a licensed professional induces tremors to relieve physical tension. The body and mind are deeply interconnected. When our body experiences a stress response, whether the root cause is life stress, traumatic experiences, anxiety, or something else, we can experience a host of intense mental and physical symptoms that affect our daily lives. Since tremors release tension held in the body, they provide relief from these symptoms, which is why therapeutic neurogenic tremors are used.

What are PTSD tremors?

“PTSD tremors” refer to tremors that occur because the body is in a hyper-aroused fight, flight, or freeze state due to one or more traumatic experiences. Treatment can help people with PTSD overcome the emotional and physical symptoms that often come with the disorder.

Can emotional trauma cause tremors?

Yes. Both emotional trauma and high-stress levels can cause tremors. This shaking is the body’s innate response, and it occurs to help you calm down when you feel overwhelmed, excited, scared, or stressed. However, many people attempt to suppress the response due to embarrassment or the fear that it is a sign of weakness. TRE is a treatment that induces slight tremors so that you can get the physical and emotional relief they provide.