Emotional Trauma & PTSD Healing

A Safe, Supportive, Compassionate Space for Nervous System Repair

Serving River Forest • Oak Park • Chicago

Emotional trauma can come from a single experience or years of overwhelming stress. Whether you’ve been through loss, chronic tension, medical trauma, relationship trauma, childhood adversity, or a life-altering event, your body holds the memory long after the mind tries to move on.

Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine provide a grounded, gentle, and deeply therapeutic path to healing. Treatments help calm the nervous system, relieve anxiety and hypervigilance, regulate sleep, reduce physical tension from emotional stress, and support your body’s natural ability to return to safety.

This is a confidential, non-judgmental space where your healing unfolds at your pace.

For those experiencing anxiety, panic, or chronic stress alongside trauma, treatment may also align with our
Acupuncture for Anxiety & Stress Relief page.

How Acupuncture Supports Emotional Trauma & PTSD

Trauma affects the brain, nervous system, hormones, and immune function. Acupuncture supports whole-system regulation and repair by helping to restore balance across these systems.

Treatment may help through:

Nervous system regulation (activating parasympathetic “rest & restore”)
Reduced hyperarousal (calming fight-or-flight and freeze responses)
Improved sleep and reduced nightmares
Lower stress hormones (cortisol and adrenaline)
Reduced anxiety, panic, and emotional overwhelm
Relief from physical trauma symptoms such as jaw tension, headaches, digestive distress, and chest heaviness
Reconnection between mind and body after trauma creates disconnection

Acupuncture often provides immediate calming relief while also supporting long-term emotional stabilization and resilience.

The NADA Protocol for Trauma, Stress & Addiction

The NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) Protocol is a well-established, research-supported five-point ear acupuncture treatment used worldwide in trauma-informed settings.

It is commonly used for:

PTSD and complex trauma
Emotional trauma and shock
Anxiety and panic
Addiction recovery
Sleep difficulties
Grief and emotional overwhelm
Nervous system regulation

What the NADA Protocol Does

The five ear points used help:

Calm the nervous system
Reduce intrusive thoughts
Increase feelings of grounding and safety
Support emotional release
Improve resilience during stress
Encourage a centered, meditative state

The treatment is gentle, subtle, and extremely supportive for clients who feel “on edge,” dissociated, or emotionally overloaded.

Flower Essences for Emotional Healing

Flower essences are vibrational remedies that gently support emotional healing without overwhelming the nervous system. They are particularly helpful for trauma-impacted individuals who are sensitive, easily dysregulated, or emotionally guarded.

How Flower Essences Support Trauma Recovery

Release stored emotional shock
Support stability during triggering moments
Ease fear, sadness, grief, or dissociation
Restore a sense of inner safety
Encourage emotional strength and clarity
Provide support without re-activating trauma

Flower essences are non-pharmaceutical, do not interact with medications, and are safe for all ages.Flower essences are vibrational remedies that gently shift emotional patterns without overwhelming the system. They are especially effective for trauma survivors who are highly sensitive or easily dysregulated.

Craniosacral Therapy, Reiki & Breathwork

Optional Nervous System Support

While acupuncture forms the foundation of care, additional modalities may be offered or recommended to further support trauma recovery when appropriate.

Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral Therapy works directly with the nervous system and is often helpful for trauma stored in the body.

It may support:

Unwinding tension in the spine, neck, and cranial system
Releasing deep emotional holding patterns
Vagus nerve regulation
A sense of stillness, grounding, and safety

Learn more about Craniosacral Therapy for Stress, Anxiety & Trauma Support.

Reiki & Energy Healing

Calms the emotional field
Lifts heaviness, fear, sadness, and energetic residue
Helps you feel lighter and more connected

Learn more about Reiki & Energy healing.

Breathwork

Reduces anxiety and panic
Improves grounding and presence
Helps release emotional constriction in the chest and diaphragm

Shamanic Healing (by guidance only)

Supports soul-level restoration
Helps integrate experiences of loss, fragmentation, or overwhelm
Provides deep spiritual grounding for those who seek it

These modalities are optional, offered only if you desire them and if they support your goals.

Learn more about Shamanic Healing.

What a Trauma-Informed Treatment Experience Feels Like

Your session is customized based on where you are in your healing process.

Clients describe sessions as:

Calm
Grounding
Safe
Nurturing
Restorative
Emotionally supportive

Your comfort is prioritized. You are always in control. Nothing is rushed.

Conditions Supported

This approach helps those experiencing:

PTSD or CPTSD
Anxiety & panic
Shock or grief
Emotional numbness or dissociation
Sleep disturbances
Stress exhaustion or overwhelm
Nervous system dysregulation
Medical trauma or chronic illness stress
Childhood trauma
Relationship trauma
Job-related trauma (first responders, healthcare, etc.)

Treatment Plan

Most clients feel calmer and more grounded after the first treatment.
Deeper emotional stabilization typically occurs over 4–8 sessions, with long-term healing continuing with ongoing support as needed.