Shake it Off!
What is TRE®?
TRE® (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises) is a simple yet innovative series of exercises that assist the body in releasing deep muscular patterns of stress, tension and trauma. Created by Dr. David Berceli, PhD, TRE® safely activates a natural reflex mechanism of shaking or vibrating that releases muscular tension, calming down the nervous system. When this muscular shaking/vibrating mechanism is activated in a safe and controlled environment, the body is encouraged to return back to a state of balance.
TRE® is based on the fundamental idea, backed by research, that stress, tension and trauma is both psychological and physical. Learn more.
TRE is designed to be a self-help tool that once learned, can be used as needed, throughout one’s life, thereby continuously supporting and promoting personal health and wholeness.
TRE®’s reflexive muscle vibrations generally feel pleasant and soothing. After doing TRE®, many people report feelings of peace and well-being. TRE® has helped many thousands of people globally.
TRE® is designed to be a self-help tool that, once learned, can be used independently as needed throughout one’s life, thereby continuously supporting and promoting personal health and wellness.
Who Can Benefit from TRE® ?
You! Since this shaking mechanism in the muscles is part of our natural behavior as humans, everyone can benefit from TRE. This shaking of the muscles increases the resiliency of the body because it causes deep relaxation that naturally reduces stress levels. It can release emotions ranging from mild upset to severe anxiety whether it is caused by work stress, excessive worry, conflict in relationships, physical stresses or traumas from accidents.
Whether you are a parent/spouse who would like more patience with your family, a victim of violence or accident, a soldier suffering with PTSD, an athlete, or simply a person who wants to become more resilient and just feel better about life, you can benefit from TRE. It’s best seen as a tool for self-care, complementary to other wellness practices. Once learned through a trained practitioner, TRE can be used as needed, throughout one’s life, as a tool applied at home.
What is the idea behind TRE?
TRE is based within the assumption that the experience of every-day stress and prior trauma express themselves in our body in BOTH psychological and physical ways. Examples of a few of the physical manifestations of stress include: muscle tension, soreness, pain, headaches, difficulty sleeping, diarrhea or constipation. Oftentimes, it can be challenging and frustrating to relieve the stress in our lives through direct psychological work. TRE allows one to release some amount of both every-day stress and built up trauma in the body through a physical exercise that can be practiced in the home. Tension release in the body oftentimes leads the brain to register a reduction in the fight or flight signals, contributing to a reduction in stress and pain.
What should I expect?
TRE is a practice that incorporates physical activity to stress and stretch certain muscle groups. Think back to the last time you did an intense workout. Did you experience a wobbly or shaky feeling within your muscles? TRE uses exercises to reach a similar point of release and push further and hold the muscular vibration mechanism.
One area of focus for release of muscle tension during TRE is the iliopsoas region. Specifically, the psoas muscle is a muscle that connects the lower back to the pelvis. It is believed that this is one of the muscles that holds a considerable amount of our physical and emotional stress that we carry in our bodies.
Although TRE exercises may appear easy, the greatest value and safety in learning TRE is with a Certified TRE Provider
How does this work?
Have you ever done an intense workout and you start to feel a little shaky or wobbly?
TRE intentionally evokes this shaking with specific physical exercises, allowing the tremors to increase and maintain the vibration. Muscle groups that typically hold a high degree of tension release and the nervous system, registering that there is less overall tension in the body, rebalances.
The psoas muscle is a muscle that connects the lower back to the pelvis and is a primary focus in TRE. This is one of the muscles that holds a considerable amount of our physical and emotional stress and often contributes to low back pain and hip imbalance.
Although TRE exercises may appear easy, the greatest value and safety in initially learning TRE is with a Certified TRE Provider. Often times people need slight adjustments in body position to activate or increase the tremors. It is also common to have emotions arise and the presence of a provider can help normalize this experience and offer support.
Reported Benefits Include:
Less Worry & Anxiety
Reduces Symptoms of PTSD
More Energy & Endurance
Improved Marital Relationships
Less Workplace Stress
Better Sleep
Less Relationship Conflict
Reduced Muscle & Back Pain
Increased Flexibility
Greater Emotional Resiliency
Decreases Symptoms of Vicarious Trauma
Healing of Old Injuries
Lessened Anxiety surrounding Serious Illness
Relief from Chronic Medical Conditions
TRE was even featured on Oprah. Dr. David Berceli, creator of TRE®, was mentioned in the May 2019 issue of Oprah Magazine. O Life Coach Martha Beck spoke with Hurricane Harvey survivor Sara Cress about harnessing the transformative power of trauma. She noted feeling a bit awkward at first but “about ten minutes in, I teared up and thought, Great, this is having an effect.” View the full article here.