Trauma informed care Trauma informed care encourages therapists to recognize the impact trauma has and understand ways to respond to the trauma. There are six key components to trauma informed care (NSW Health, 2022): 1. Safety : Ensure the patient and staff feel physical, psychological, and emotional safety. 2. Trustworthiness and transparency : All goal setting and decision making should be communicated and transparent to ensure the patient can trust the healthcare professional. 3. Peer support : Collaboration with patients and professionals who had similar experiences can help individuals integrate into therapy services. 4. Collaboration and mutuality : It is critical to involve patients in their treatment plans. All decisions should be shared between the staff and the patient. 5. Empowerment, voice, and choice : Both patients and professionals should utilize their strengths. This principle encourages resilience within therapy and supports the process of healing by providing control to the victim. 6. Cultural, historical, and gender issues : All patients should be treated equally and free from bias. Their cultural and historical background should be recognized and respected. Studies on childhood trauma consistently show a strong connection between the number of adverse experiences a child undergoes and their future physical and mental health issues, as well as a significant adverse effect on brain development. Occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists frequently work with Case study Patient background ● Name: Robert ● Age: 44 ● Gender: Male ● Occupation: Former Iraqi War veteran; construction worker ● History: Robert served as a soldier in the Iraqi War and sustained a right shoulder injury from a gunshot wound during combat. He has been experiencing chronic pain in his shoulder. The pain is described as aching and dull. He is also experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including anxiety, stress, and night terrors. Initial assessment Robert presents complaints of persistent shoulder pain, rated 7/10 on the pain scale, along with symptoms of anxiety, stress, and recurrent night terrors. His medical history reveals a previous diagnosis of PTSD related to his experiences during the war. Ali expresses frustration with conventional treatments for his physical pain and psychological symptoms. Treatment plan The treatment plan for Robert aimed at addressing both his physical and psychological symptoms. The treatment plan includes: ● Manual therapy for pain management: ○ Deep tissue massage techniques focused on relieving muscular tension and promoting relaxation. ○ Myofascial release techniques to alleviate restrictions and improve range of motion in the injured shoulder. ○ Trigger point therapy to address specific areas of pain and tenderness in the shoulder and surrounding muscles.
children who have experienced trauma. Given their role in facilitating the development and skill acquisition of these children, it is crucial for healthcare professionals to grasp the detrimental effects of childhood trauma and to incorporate trauma-informed practices into their work. This improves therapists’ understanding and confidence in recognizing traumatic experiences and associated symptoms, understanding their impact on brain development, and designing therapy sessions informed by trauma awareness (Conrady & Petrenchik, 2021). A 2020 review investigates the concept of trauma informed approaches to physical activity (TIPA), which considers the impact of the trauma on individuals and aims to deliver physical activity in a safe and supportive way. Trauma informed practice focuses on creating a safe environment for individuals who experienced trauma. Most studies demonstrate yoga as a main form of TIPA. However, therapists should consider exploring other trauma informed physical activities to enhance accessibility and participation of patients (Darroch et al., 2020). Self-Assessment Quiz Question #2 Key components to trauma informed care involve all of the following EXCEPT: a. Safety. b. Peer support. c. Silence. d. Empowerment. ● Somatic therapy for PTSD symptom reduction: ○ Body-centered techniques such as guided imagery, breathwork, and gentle movement to help Robert reconnect with his body and regulate his nervous system. ○ Somatic experiencing to facilitate the release of stored trauma and promote healing on a somatic level. ○ Grounding exercises to help Robert feel more present and anchored in the here and now, reducing symptoms of anxiety and stress. ○ Encouraging the use of relaxation exercises and self- care practices to support his overall well-being. Progress and follow-up Over the course of several sessions, Robert experiences significant improvement in both his physical pain and PTSD symptoms. His shoulder pain decreases to a manageable level (3/10), and he reports feeling more relaxed and less anxious overall. The frequency and intensity of his night terrors also decreased, allowing him to sleep more peacefully. He continues to engage in regular therapy sessions and is motivated to incorporate self-care practices into his daily routine to maintain his progress over time. Overall, the integrative treatment combining massage therapy and somatic therapy has proven to be effective in addressing both physical and emotional needs of Robert.
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Book Code: MLA1225
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