In this episode of the Red Beard Embodiment Podcast, host Alex Greene engages in a conversation with Dr. Eric Robins, a urologist and an expert in mind-body healing, with a special focus on chronic pelvic pain.
With a history of early developmental trauma and chronic fatigue syndrome, Eric dedicated himself to exploring mind-body practices, such as Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE®) and EFT. Through his own journey of unlocking his nervous system from its chronic state of fight-flight-freeze, he regained his energy and health. Now, as a TRE provider himself, Eric uses his deep understanding of trauma to guide others in reaching a state of nervous system homeostasis and facilitating healing from within.
This podcast episode revolves around (early) trauma and stress as the root cause in chronic illness and chronic pelvic pain, as well as the role of neurogenic tremoring (TRE) in releasing trauma and promoting overall health and healing.
A Journey of Personal Healing:
Dr. Robins begins by sharing his personal journey of growing up with chronic fatigue and witnessing his mother and sister suffer from the same condition. This experience sparked his curiosity about the mind-body connection and early trauma as the potential underlying cause of chronic illnesses.
Despite his challenges with chronic fatigue, Eric pursued a career in medicine, ultimately becoming a urologist. However, his own health struggles led him to explore alternative healing modalities, seeking answers to the mysteries of his energy depletion and physical collapse.
Dr. Robins discovered that early life stressors and traumas can limit the size of the nervous system’s metaphorical “plate,” causing individuals to feel overwhelmed more easily. Recognizing that his own plate was too small, he experienced chronic fatigue and emotional dysregulation.
Through modalities like Holosync, TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises), meditation, and block therapy, Eric gradually expanded his plate, enabling him to handle more stress and energy without feeling overwhelmed.
Unlocking Somatic Healing through TRE®
Eric emphasizes the significance of somatic healing in the process of expanding the plate. While talk therapy has its place, addressing the body’s physiological response to stress and trauma is crucial.
TRE® (Trauma Releasing Exercises) offers profound somatic release, allowing the body to process and integrate past traumatic experiences. By activating the neurogenic tremor mechanism of the body, individuals can gently release trauma from their nervous system and find greater resilience.
While trauma-informed care has made progress in recognizing the connection between childhood trauma and long-term health outcomes, there is still a significant gap in translating this knowledge into effective treatment approaches.
Dr. Robins emphasizes the need for practical solutions that address the underlying physiological patterns associated with chronic stress. He shares his personal experience with physicians who, despite being aware of the mind-body connection, struggle to apply it to their own health. This highlights the need for a paradigm shift in the medical community, where physicians not only acknowledge the impact of stress and trauma on health but actively seek ways to shift their own physiology and support their patients in doing the same.
Moving Forward: Implementing Change
While progress has been made in recognizing the connection between childhood trauma and long-term health outcomes, Dr. Robins stresses the need for practical solutions. A trauma-informed approach is the first step, but it must be followed by effective interventions that address the underlying physiological patterns associated with chronic stress.
However, it’s not just the responsibility of individuals to seek out these mind-body practices; the medical community must actively integrate them into healthcare systems. This requires a shift in mindset and a recognition of the importance of self-care and holistic approaches. By embracing innovative techniques, supporting trauma-informed care, and incorporating mind-body practices, we can create a healthcare system that truly addresses the root causes of illness and fosters holistic well-being for all.
In addition to training programs, it is essential to create spaces within healthcare organizations where healthcare providers can practice mind-body techniques like TRE. By offering support and resources, organizations can encourage their staff to prioritize self-care and stress reduction, ultimately benefiting both the healthcare providers and the patients they serve.
Listen to the episode now and find out how you too can begin to heal yourself with neurogenic tremoring!