Embodiment is a modern theory of cognitive science according to which consciousness requires a body (Wikipedia). This theory can be confirmed with the Integral Stress Test through the resolution of a pelvic twist by integrating a trauma stored in the body that has not been fully processed. Furthermore, integral orthopaedics shows that insufficiently integrated emotions and other overloads of consciousness are also stored outside the body in a so-called interference field or trauma field with a direct connection to the autonomic nervous system and fascial system.

In principle, navel and scar reflexes can be used well before and during psychotherapy and afterwards to maintain mental stability and the ability to vibrate and regulate. In principle, all patients benefit from an improvement in body awareness and general well-being through the regular use of integration reflexes. However, concentrating on the center of the body and feeling one’s own body also contributes significantly to psychological stabilization.

In trauma therapy, it is known that emotions and tensions triggered by trauma that have not been processed can be stored in the muscles, connective tissue and, above all, in scars (see also Somatic Experience (SE*), Peter Levine). The manual relaxation of the navel and all other disturbing scars offers an enrichment, especially in body-oriented trauma work. When performing the integration techniques, there is a correlation between the traumatic stress at the time of scar formation, the sensitivity of the scars to touch and their relevance to treatment. When touching a highly traumatic scar, the sensitive therapist can sense the extent and quality of the stored traumatic emotions, the atmosphere of the trauma situation, the mental state and sometimes also the age of the patient at the time of the trauma (trauma therapy: „affect bridge“).

Of particular importance are the attentive and loving presence and the sufficiently long stay in the energetic and emotional connection that arises in this type of body therapy. It is also up to the therapist to sense how much solution work the patient is ready for. More severely traumatized patients are only confronted with the trauma experience very gently, so to speak drop by drop (SE: „titration“ and „pendulum“), contrary to the usual principle of treating all scars in one session if possible.
During the treatment, emotions that have been pent up in the body since the time of the trauma can be released. The therapist often feels these first because the patient has not integrated them.
In the case of trauma patients, the approach must draw on positive resources and, if necessary, also call the patient back to the here and now if their vegetative reaction is too strong or, if helpful, ask them to breathe deeply, etc. By connecting with the navel as a central source of strength, the patient experiences and learns to connect with a positive resource that they can always fall back on at home. The essential steps for integrating the trauma pattern are becoming aware of the dimension and significance of the trauma sequence in and around the body and then, in a protected therapeutic setting, the consciously experienced, voluntary opening of the trauma field and thus the accumulated, unprocessed emotions. By releasing the stored, disharmonious trauma pattern, the blocked energies of the trauma are available to the patient again and he no longer expends energy suppressing emotions. Their system can vibrate freely again and engage with life’s current demands and opportunities unencumbered.

When carrying out the Integral Stress Test, the presence of partial or complete, typical or atypical pelvic torsion is always an indication of autonomic regulatory rigidity, usually with a persistent stress or defense mode. The absence of relaxation of the pelvic curvature when touching the navel is always an indication of the presence of traumatic stress, which also manifests itself in the energy field of the body or the so-called aura. This can then naturally also lead to an emotional regulation disorder.

During the treatment, the therapist’s hand slowly approaches the stressed area of the body until a slight tension can be felt, which the patient perceives as somewhat unpleasant pressure or which triggers physical or psychological symptoms. It is crucial to find the exact boundary of this trauma area and then relieve it just outside the area by holding the hand at a slight angle. When standing, this is exactly the boundary at which the patient has the feeling of being pushed or pulled away. The size of the field gives a direct indication of its relevance. At the seminars, the boundary of the field and the emotional vibration that is released are perceived by most of the participants present. It is precisely at the moment of the boundary opening that unprocessed and repressed emotions are regularly released and immediately after the treatment, which lasts between one and a few minutes, the pelvic torsion is always released as a sign of vegetative relaxation. The next indication of the relevance of the disturbance or trauma field is the duration of the relaxation of the pelvis. After the pelvic twisting has reappeared, a renewed energetic release of the now considerably shrunken trauma field is often indicated, which the patient can then often carry out by grasping the field in a cup shape with hands open to the front. For follow-up treatment at home, this relief must be carried out repeatedly as soon as emotional tension builds up. An indication of the overriding relevance of a trauma field is also when previously tested interference foci can no longer be detected after the trauma field has been relieved, i.e. the body can regulate and thus integrate the stress caused by a disturbing scar or a tense jaw etc. itself.
Experience shows that this type of treatment does not require experience with bodywork or increased sensitivity. If these are present, the patient only senses more precisely which reactions are taking place in the body at the same time. When treating borderline* or other mentally stressed patients, there is often an above-average or somewhat deviating physical and mental sensitivity and reaction to the integration techniques and it is not recommended to carry them out without sufficient professional experience.

Traumatic overloads are stored in the body, particularly in the fascial tissue, especially in scars or joints, and can then burden the body and psyche as a so-called trouble spot. For example, unprocessed emotions can be the cause of chronic pelvic torsion with persistently recurring and therapy-resistant tension patterns and blockages, particularly in the lower back.

Fascia integration therapy focuses on the navel as the central connection point of the fascia system and the autonomic nervous system. It can possibly also be regarded as the seat of our „primal trauma“, the mechanical and energetic disconnection from the unity with the mother. (See also Almaas*: The essence). The dissolution of trauma equivalents linked to the navel, scars or other fascial structures and stored outside the body releases the associated reaction rigidity of the autonomic nervous system and generalized fascial tension and opens the emotional cellar door that has been kept closed with a great deal of energy. The patient regains his vegetative and fascial regulatory and emotional ability to vibrate.

Depending on the conscious and, above all, unconscious resonance with the patient’s released emotional vibrations, the therapist’s energetic and fascial system is also affected. In principle, therefore, every therapist should apply the integration techniques, especially navel-neck integration and aura release, not only after pronounced periods of stress, but also after each day of treatment, and possibly even after each energetically stressful patient relationship, in order to serve as a balanced instrument for their patients and to avoid putting additional strain on them and themselves.