Welcome to Somatic Tracking.
Somatic Tracking acknowledges the process of noise deception.
Noise deception happens in and around our bodies 24-7.
The neurons involved in noise deception are monitoring for potential danger.
When they reach a certain threshold of stimulation,
They will send a signal to the brain via the spinal cord.
This signal will alert the brain to the area.
It is at this point that the brain applies all its learned context to decide if increased vigilance is required.
If the brain deems that the sensations could have negative consequences,
It will increase its vigilance of the area and take action.
Even though I talk about it slowly,
This all happens at lightning speeds.
Normally this is an effective process for managing danger.
As an example,
If your hand is getting too close to a flame,
The noise-susceptive neurons will start to get excited and send a message to the brain.
The brain has learned that fire could damage your skin,
So tells your body to move your hand away.
As a result,
The stimulation decreases and the noise-susceptors go back to simply observing.
However,
During chronic pain,
This process can trap you in a pain cycle.
Because chronic pain sufferers have nervous systems that are more vigilant from trauma,
Emotional states or previous injury,
The context around sensations is more sensitive.
When we feel new or familiar sensations,
We often get concerned that old pain is flaring up or we are facing a new issue.
We want to start changing the concern we have for these areas.
We want to move away from judging the sensations as negative because this heightens the vigilance in the area.
As long as there is no tissue damage,
Then we would like to rewire how our brain processes these sensations.
So during somatic tracking,
We want to simply observe the sensations.
We want to witness what are the actual sensations rather than the context we apply to them.
So to begin somatic tracking,
Bring your awareness to part of your body where you have a noticeable sensation.
Not trying to return to the sight of old pain,
But what sensations are actually happening around your body right now?
Then settling on this area and being curious about the sensations.
Are the sensations in a small area or does it radiate from a point?
Can you observe tingling,
Warmth,
Coolness or fuzziness?
See it with these sensations for a few moments,
Observing if thoughts of it,
The sensations arise.
You need to keep your eye closed on any kind of surface counsel or Remembering that you are safe,
Slowing down the breath to remind your body and mind that you are safe.
What you are feeling is the normal process of noise deception and that the sensations are not harmful.
Imagine telling yourself that you are safe and that there is no need for concern.
Noticing what thoughts arise about the sensations are the thoughts forming a negative picture of the sensations.
Realizing that these are just neurons doing their job.
Coming back to the area again,
Noticing how the sensations are now,
Still being curious,
Noticing if the sensations are still in the same place.
Have their characteristics change?
Can you still observe tingling,
Warmth,
Coolness,
Fuzziness?
Sitting with these sensations for a few moments,
Observing if thoughts about the sensations are still in the same place.
Remembering that you are not trying to avoid or fix the sensations,
Simply observing them and noticing the context your mind tries to bring to the sensations.
Again,
Telling yourself that you are safe,
Slowing down the breath to remind your body and mind that you are safe.
What you are feeling is the normal process of noise deception and that sensations are not harmful.
Bringing your awareness back to the area,
Has there been any change to the characteristics of the sensations?
How would you describe them in more real terms now?
What exactly are you feeling in that area?
Then taking a few deep breaths,
Letting your body relax,
Feeling a sense of safety coming over you,
Accepting the process of noise deception for what it is,
But recognizing that it may not be serving you in this area and that you want to decrease the fear or concern associated with these sensations.
Just continuing this process for as long as you want,
Being aware of the sensations and the context that may arise,
But always reminding yourself that you are safe.
The neurons are not dangerous,
They just monitor sensations.
We are just trying to create less reactive associations to the brain.
