Trauma-Based Nervous System Dysregulation

[Wayne]

I found the following very concise and helpful, so thought I'd share it here...

What is Trauma-Based Nervous System Dysregulation?​

​

Trauma-based nervous system dysregulation refers to the idea that traumatic experiences — whether acute or chronic, physical or emotional — can cause the autonomic nervous system (ANS) to shift into a prolonged state of dysregulation.​

The ANS is responsible for regulating things like:​

• Heart rate
• Breathing
• Digestion
• Immune function
• Stress response (via the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems)

When the nervous system is healthy, it’s flexible — it can shift smoothly between “fight/flight,” “rest/digest,” and “freeze” modes. But trauma — especially chronic, early, or unresolved trauma — can lock a person into a dysregulated pattern. This can look like:​

• Hypervigilance or anxiety (sympathetic overactivation)
• Shutdown, fatigue, or numbness (dorsal vagal dominance)
• A constant swing between both (which can feel like unpredictability or emotional fragility)

---

How This Relates to ME/CFS​

ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) is a complex, multisystem illness with hallmark symptoms like:​

• Post-exertional malaise (PEM)
• Unrefreshing sleep
• Cognitive dysfunction (“brain fog”)
• Autonomic instability (POTS, temperature dysregulation)
• Immune and inflammatory dysfunction

There’s growing evidence that nervous system dysregulation is a core driver or amplifier of ME/CFS symptoms. Here’s how trauma plays in:​

---

Trauma as a Root, Trigger, or Amplifier​

1. As a Root Cause: Some people with ME/CFS have histories of trauma (childhood adversity, neglect, illness, surgeries, emotional abuse). These experiences may prime the nervous system into a long-term dysregulated state, reducing resilience and making them more vulnerable to later illness.
2. As a Trigger: For others, ME/CFS begins after a severe infection (e.g., Epstein-Barr, COVID, Lyme), but pre-existing trauma can affect how the body responds to that trigger, influencing the severity or chronicity of symptoms.
3. As an Amplifier: Living with ME/CFS is traumatic in itself — the loss of function, misunderstanding by doctors, social isolation, and financial insecurity can deepen nervous system dysfunction, creating a vicious cycle.

---

Key Connection Points​

• Dysregulated vagus nerve function is common in both trauma and ME/CFS — affecting heart rate variability, digestion, inflammation, and immune response.
• Neuroinflammation and glial activation (seen in both chronic stress and ME/CFS) can impair brain function and increase pain sensitivity.
• Hypersensitivities to light, sound, chemicals, and possibly EMFs are features of both trauma-related disorders (like PTSD) and ME/CFS.
• Energy metabolism may be disrupted in both trauma states and ME/CFS — affecting mitochondrial function, fatigue, and recovery.

 

[Rufous McKinney]

Something about how we live in this more modern world seems to be feeding more and more of this.

I think the incredible complexity which now exists, has overwhelmed many of us. Now I"m watching my two little grandaughters, obsessing over their toys and their special things, these possessions they possess which seem to have possessed them).

It can be approached from any number of angles, a few of which you speak to here, in this post. We are a creature with alot of awareness, and we can tell stories.

If I could muster some more umphff, I'd try to work more on some of this background childhood stuff.

Two techniques that exist which maybe some of us could deploy while resting- are:

-HEART MATH (breathing through the heart)

-Emotional Freedom Technique. (Aka tapping)

Both of these are actions one can use to clear some of the past emotional trauma etc.

 

[brenda]

I found the following very concise and helpful, so thought I'd share it here...

What is Trauma-Based Nervous System Dysregulation?​

​

Trauma-based nervous system dysregulation refers to the idea that traumatic experiences — whether acute or chronic, physical or emotional — can cause the autonomic nervous system (ANS) to shift into a prolonged state of dysregulation.​

The ANS is responsible for regulating things like:​

• Heart rate
• Breathing
• Digestion
• Immune function
• Stress response (via the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems)

When the nervous system is healthy, it’s flexible — it can shift smoothly between “fight/flight,” “rest/digest,” and “freeze” modes. But trauma — especially chronic, early, or unresolved trauma — can lock a person into a dysregulated pattern. This can look like:​

• Hypervigilance or anxiety (sympathetic overactivation)
• Shutdown, fatigue, or numbness (dorsal vagal dominance)
• A constant swing between both (which can feel like unpredictability or emotional fragility)

---

How This Relates to ME/CFS​

ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) is a complex, multisystem illness with hallmark symptoms like:​

• Post-exertional malaise (PEM)
• Unrefreshing sleep
• Cognitive dysfunction (“brain fog”)
• Autonomic instability (POTS, temperature dysregulation)
• Immune and inflammatory dysfunction

There’s growing evidence that nervous system dysregulation is a core driver or amplifier of ME/CFS symptoms. Here’s how trauma plays in:​

---

Trauma as a Root, Trigger, or Amplifier​

1. As a Root Cause: Some people with ME/CFS have histories of trauma (childhood adversity, neglect, illness, surgeries, emotional abuse). These experiences may prime the nervous system into a long-term dysregulated state, reducing resilience and making them more vulnerable to later illness.
2. As a Trigger: For others, ME/CFS begins after a severe infection (e.g., Epstein-Barr, COVID, Lyme), but pre-existing trauma can affect how the body responds to that trigger, influencing the severity or chronicity of symptoms.
3. As an Amplifier: Living with ME/CFS is traumatic in itself — the loss of function, misunderstanding by doctors, social isolation, and financial insecurity can deepen nervous system dysfunction, creating a vicious cycle.

---

Key Connection Points​

• Dysregulated vagus nerve function is common in both trauma and ME/CFS — affecting heart rate variability, digestion, inflammation, and immune response.
• Neuroinflammation and glial activation (seen in both chronic stress and ME/CFS) can impair brain function and increase pain sensitivity.
• Hypersensitivities to light, sound, chemicals, and possibly EMFs are features of both trauma-related disorders (like PTSD) and ME/CFS.
• Energy metabolism may be disrupted in both trauma states and ME/CFS — affecting mitochondrial function, fatigue, and recovery.

Thanks Wayne very apt for me this past year, when the extent of my childhood trauma came out and which I have been working very hard on.

I have found that psycho-education has been a major factor in my recovery and I have made good use of the many excellent therapists, coaches, psychologists and counsellors found online especially youtube. It is so kind of them to share their work for free.

I have found Carolyn Spring to be exceptional as she has been an ME?CFS sufferer herself and suffered extreme levels of trauma. She also speaks in a language all can understand in her non nonsense way. I am a big fan and recently bought a course on dissociation from her which is very helpful.

Many people think they have not been abused as children, and then find that although their parents were well meaning, they just did not have the ability of raising a child with good self esteem.

My case is one of narcissistic family scapegoat abuse which is probably why it took so long to surface as I was still in contact with FOO (family of origin). Rebecca Mandeville is good on this one.

Last week I had a massive trigger which was of powerlessness, which took me back to a freeze response. I think that also a great deal of damage was done before I was a year old due to mercury poisoning aka Pink Disease from teething powders. I was in hospital very ill and many babies died from it.

I have changed enormously this past year and it is hard work. At present a counsellor from AforME is helping me and is very good even though she is not a specialist in trauma.

 

[Gijs]

2 things are mixed up here. The autonomic nervous system that is dysfunctional by a possible psychological event called a trauma and an autonomic nervous system that may be dysfunctional or affected on medical grounds. Trauma as a causal relationship cannot be objectively proven. It is speculation.

 

[brenda]

2 things are mixed up here. The autonomic nervous system that is dysfunctional by a possible psychological event called a trauma and an autonomic nervous system that may be dysfunctional or affected on medical grounds. Trauma as a causal relationship cannot be objectively proven. It is speculation.

I am generally going to ignore your comments, as you don't seem to understand what complex trauma is, usually throughout childhood and changes to the brain of severely traumatized infants can be seen on brain scans. There are studies on it on PubMed I believe.

 

[bad1080]

another thing to consider:

How Traumatic Experiences Leave Their Signature on the Genome: An Overview of Epigenetic Pathways in PTSD

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4116797/

 

[Rufous McKinney]

a great deal of damage was done before I was a year old due to mercury poisoning aka Pink Disease from teething powders.

Wow. I did not know about that. How awful. I"m so sorry that happened to you.

 

[Rufous McKinney]

All this just makes me really wonder how in the world Humans got this Far? Given how we know we are. Our history. Our reactions to strangers, or anything unusual going on thats risky or dangerous. And then we fall for the glittering objects, every time. And we hate sharing.

 

[bad1080]

All this just makes me really wonder how in the world Humans got this Far? Given how we know we are. Our history. Our reactions to strangers, or anything unusual going on thats risky or dangerous. And then we fall for the glittering objects, every time. And we hate sharing.

the world was a very different place for the first couple millennia of human's existence but the one we crated in the last couple hundred is hostile to all lifeforms

 

[Rufous McKinney]

I'm thinking this theory may help us understand how we can't quit deal with the last few hundred years very well.

"The idea that humans can only maintain stable social relationships with about 150 people, known as "Dunbar's number," is a popular theory proposed by Robin Dunbar. This theory suggests that the human brain has a cognitive limit on the number of social connections it can effectively manage. "

I can sort of freak out inside a large grocery store, over the idea that THIS MANY other people may soon show up to buy mustard. Or beer. And this is just one grocery store.

 

[Gijs]

I am generally going to ignore your comments, as you don't seem to understand what complex trauma is, usually throughout childhood and changes to the brain of severely traumatized infants can be seen on brain scans. There are studies on it on PubMed I believe.

You totally missing my point. So better ignore it.

 

[Wayne]

I have made good use of the many excellent therapists, coaches, psychologists and counsellors found online especially youtube. It is so kind of them to share their work for free. -- I have changed enormously this past year and it is hard work.

Dear @brenda -- Congratulations on all the transformational progress you've been able to make for yourself. It's truly heartwarming to hear read about it.

I think it's important for anybody with ME/CFS, or any other serious illness, to look for underlying factors (like trauma) that could be contributing to our health issues. We can be traumatized by so many things as we go through life, and we're often not even aware of it. But those traumas can end up (I believe anyway) affecting our lives and our health in many ways.

When we finally end up with physical effects from those traumas, it's normal to address those physical effects using all the best tools we find. But I think for longer lasting results, attention does need to be put on some of the traumas that may have led to physical ill health, and go about finding ways to resolve them if we can.

It's all very complex, and we're all very different. Some of us with ME/CFS obviously have had more previous traumas than others. So I don't want to paint the same picture for all of us. But even the world we live in today can cause trauma, from medical system dysfunction, political dysfunction, etc., we can't really escape it.

To be able to let go of as much of this as we can on a regular basis is key--I believe--to any success we may have in improving our prospects for better overall health. -- Again, congratulations!

 

[bad1080]

personal trauma can occur as early as in utero so there is no way to remember it and then there is transgenerational trauma

 

[brenda]

Dear @brenda -- Congratulations on all the transformational progress you've been able to make for yourself. It's truly heartwarming to hear read about it.

I think it's important for anybody with ME/CFS, or any other serious illness, to look for underlying factors (like trauma) that could be contributing to our health issues. We can be traumatized by so many things as we go through life, and we're often not even aware of it. But those traumas can end up (I believe anyway) affecting our lives and our health in many ways.

When we finally end up with physical effects from those traumas, it's normal to address those physical effects using all the best tools we find. But I think for longer lasting results, attention does need to be put on some of the traumas that may have led to physical ill health, and go about finding ways to resolve them if we can.

It's all very complex, and we're all very different. Some of us with ME/CFS obviously have had more previous traumas than others. So I don't want to paint the same picture for all of us. But even the world we live in today can cause trauma, from medical system dysfunction, political dysfunction, etc., we can't really escape it.

To be able to let go of as much of this as we can on a regular basis is key--I believe--to any success we may have in improving our prospects for better overall health. -- Again, congratulations!

Thank you so much for your encouragement @Wayne. I agree that we need to look into any childhood trauma particularly and educate ourselves on it somewhat, as we could be bypassing unintentional neglect and other traumas that our mind has 'disconnected' from.

We surely are living in toxic environments, at all levels at this stage of man's history and therefore we need an holistic approach to healing, which I am following. I think that spiritual healing comes first, though many who do not recognize our Maker do manage to heal, but if we are in touch with our Maker, He will lead us in our healing.

We need to clean up our immediate environment with food, water, and toxic chemicals in the home to give ourselves a better chance, and so I am eating as much organic as I can, supplementing the diet with 'clean' products from trustworthy manufacturers, avoiding the pharmacy bought-out ones.

Being in a supportive environment is important and I am unable to provide this for myself, which is where my relationship with my Maker comes in to help.

A counsellor that is highly empathetic even if she has not been trained in trauma therapies is a great asset.

I have seen some enormous changes this past week or two as I have been able to confront others in a way that has resolved problems between us and has resulted in good feelings all round. For this I am very thankful. hugs.

 

[Rufous McKinney]

personal trauma can occur as early as in utero so there is no way to remember it and then there is transgenerational trauma

I've done alot of geneology research. It's a means to sometimes further consider "transgenerational". Not necessarily just trauma, but all of it. And I really wanted to work up an article about using geneology as a way to work through such things. Oh well, this happened instead.

You don't necessarily have to have any conscious awareness of such issues, to have them potentially be affecting us. I believe it may be possible to address unconscious issues, through more indirect means. For instance, via the EFT process.

I had this amazing book. It was all about what this body worker, massage therapist person discovered in the 1960s. She wrote this amazing book, and it contained meridians and diagrams and discussed many things which transpired when she worked on people and "stuff" got released. Im very sad that this book burned up, that I can't recall the exact title, or this woman's name. I want that book back, desperately. I've begged the universe, but its not yet forthcoming.

I have seen some enormous changes this past week or two as I have been able to confront others in a way that has resolved problems between us and has resulted in good feelings all round. For this I am very thankful. hugs.

thats wonderful. its really encouraging, hearing about how your working on these issues and making some headway. Having some spiritual beliefs, seems to have gotten humans through some previous hard times.

Our world is full of magic. Mystery. That is something we should treasure.

 

[Wayne]

I had this amazing book. It was all about what this body worker, massage therapist person discovered in the 1960s. She wrote this amazing book, and it contained meridians and diagrams and discussed many things which transpired when she worked on people and "stuff" got released. Im very sad that this book burned up, that I can't recall the exact title, or this woman's name. I want that book back, desperately. I've begged the universe, but its not yet forthcoming.

I asked ChatGPT--in lieu of the Universe--if it might have any ideas from your description. Here's what it came up with:

Key details she gave:

• The author was a bodyworker/massage therapist.
• Discovered/reported findings in the 1960s.
• Wrote a detailed book about working on people where “stuff got released” — sounds like somatic/emotional release during bodywork.
• Book included meridians (so probably integrated Chinese Medicine or energy lines).
• Contained diagrams.
• Focused on unconscious issues releasing through bodywork.
• She called the book “amazing” and it sounds pretty foundational to her thinking.

---

Given all that, a few strong possibilities come to mind:

1. Deane Juhan — Job’s Body (1987)​

• Job’s Body: A Handbook for Bodywork is a classic book written by a bodyworker that deals a lot with trauma, energy lines, meridians, and physical/emotional release.
• However, it's published later (1987), and Deane Juhan is a man — she said a woman wrote her book.

2. Ida Rolf — Rolfing: The Integration of Human Structures (early 1970s)​

• Ida Rolf (founder of Rolfing) was a woman active in the 1960s.
• She believed that emotional and physical issues were locked in connective tissue (fascia) and could be released through deep bodywork.
• Her book and method describe major body shifts, diagrams, energy, and sometimes even meridian-like thinking.
• BIG match for the timeline, gender, content, etc.
• Note: Rolf's book is dense and scientific, but many people who read it describe it as life-changing.

3. Gerda Boyesen — Biodynamic Psychology and Massage​

• Gerda Boyesen was a Norwegian psychologist/massage therapist who developed Biodynamic massage around the same era.
• She focused specifically on how emotional energy and unconscious material could be released through bodywork, particularly via the gut ("psycho-peristalsis").
• Wrote a lot in the late 1960s and 1970s.
• May not be super mainstream in the U.S., but a very good fit conceptually.
• Her writings weren't always translated to English right away, which could make her book feel a little rare.

---

My Best Guess:​

• #2 — Ida Rolf is probably the strongest match if the book was semi-mainstream in bodywork circles.
• #3 — Gerda Boyesen is a very strong alternative if it was more niche and psycho-spiritual in tone.

---

Here's how you could help her hunt it down:​

You could ask her:

• Was it very scientific/technical (Ida Rolf)? Or more emotional/psychological (Gerda Boyesen)?
• Did the title have the word "structure", "integration", "release", "biodynamic", or anything like that?

Because those keywords line up with their books.

---

Would you like me to also give a couple even less likely but possible ones in case it's one of the rarer bodywork pioneers?
(Some amazing stuff was self-published or obscure in that era.)

 

[Rufous McKinney]

I agree that we need to look into any childhood trauma particularly and educate ourselves on it somewhat, as we could be bypassing unintentional neglect and other traumas that our mind has 'disconnected' from.

I ran into this philosophical commentary from Jungian psychologist Dr. Jordon Peterson, earlier today. It seems pertinent to this discussion.

"
Advice- Confront the Memory

Reduce The Probability Of Catastrophe

The parts of your psyche that bring back memories of being humiliated, for example, are part of an alarm system. It is the same alarm system that tells you unexplored territory is dangerous. If the consequence of being in a particular social situation is that you are being humiliated and undermined, then you have not mapped out that situation very well. While there may be all kinds of reasons as to why that is the case, it does not matter so far as the alarm system is concerned because it is fixated on the fact that the situation is not good for you — and you are unable to forget that.

Often, traumatic memories are repetitive; people cannot get them out of their minds. But if you try to avoid them, you ignore the alarm system, which in turn only causes the alarm to go off more. That does not work. The proper antidote to the desire for unconsciousness in the face of the vicissitudes of life is a conscious willingness to advance in the face of tragedy and malevolence.

Instead, confront the memory. Ask yourself exactly what happened and exactly what part you played. Is there anything you could have done earlier or differently? If you allow yourself to make contact with the rough edges of the natural and social world, the probability is rather high that you can learn incrementally how to map the world and your actions in it; the probability is much reduced that you will be pathologically prone to catastrophe and betrayal."

 

[Rufous McKinney]

I asked ChatGPT--in lieu of the Universe--if it might have any ideas from your description

Thank you for doing that Wayne, I believe I asked you about this book some time back. You would be wanting me to find it again, also.

I'm sure it's none of the three authors listed above. I can sort of see a photo of the author in my vague memory. I checked on the authors above. I also feel the author is a female from California, and she was maybe in her thirties (fairly young).

It's not scientific. But it's systematic. She works thru a series of body systems and release stories and related charts and meridians. I'm trying to see the cover in my mind. I'm of the opinion that the Rolfing concept was probably out by this time, but I don't know why I think that.

well, perhaps it will still emerge.

 

[Wayne]

well, perhaps it will still emerge.

You've got me hooked now! I "prodded" ChatGPT a bit more. (It actually seems to be enjoying this).

Here's what we know about the real candidate:

• Author: Likely a young woman (maybe 30s), possibly from California.
• Era: Published around the 1960s or 1970s.
• Field: Massage therapy / bodywork / energy work.
• Content:
  • Focused on body systems, stories about emotional or energetic releases.
  • Included charts and meridian diagrams (somewhat systematic).
  • Possibly influenced after Rolfing (Rolfing started gaining broader public awareness in the late 1960s).
• Tone: Not scientific in a strict sense, but structured and methodical.

---

Given that, here are some more refined guesses:​

Potential Author/Work	Notes
Deane Juhan (Job's Body, published 1987)	He was male and the date is too late, but some bodywork circles referenced his thinking earlier. Probably not it.
Judith Aston (early Aston Patterning work)	A student of Ida Rolf (founder of Rolfing). Published later, but may have been active in California in the late 1960s/70s. Aston focused a lot on body alignment, gentle movement, and energy.
Ilana Rubenfeld (The Listening Hand)	Rubenfeld developed the Rubenfeld Synergy Method (talk therapy + touch). Started in the late 1960s/early 1970s. Focused on releasing emotional blocks through bodywork. However, she may have been based more in New York than California.
Marion Rosen (Rosen Method Bodywork)	Developed her method in the 1950s-1970s; more on emotional release through bodywork. Not hugely chart/meridian-based but may have had writings along these lines.
Laura Huxley (You Are Not the Target, 1963)	Less about direct massage, more emotional/spiritual health, but definitely California scene at the right time.

---

Possibility:​

Given the emphasis on meridians and body systems, maybe Judith Aston could be a stronger match?
Judith Aston was a young female bodyworker out of California during the exact era you're describing.
She systematized body movement and awareness, and would very likely have produced a book (or self-published manual) that included charts, diagrams, and a systemized approach to releasing "stories" in the body.
➔ Important detail: Some early works in these circles were small-batch publications — almost pamphlets or workshop books — and aren't always easily found today unless you're digging into used bookstores or specialty bodywork archives.

---

Questions that might help narrow it even further:​

• Was the book more about energy healing/meridians (like Chinese Medicine influence)?
• Or more about physical structural work (like muscles, fascia, posture)?
• Was it a "friendly", "handmade" feeling book? (Many 1960s-70s alternative healing books had this very personal tone.)

---

Would you like me to also generate a small list of rare/out-of-print 1960s-1970s bodywork books by female authors that could match?
It might help her search even further!

You said:​

Yes

ChatGPT said:​

Thank you for the additional details. Based on your description, here are some possibilities that might align with the book you're seeking:

---

Potential Matches​

1. Charlotte Selver – Sensory Awareness​

• Profile: Charlotte Selver (1901–2003) was a German-American somatic educator who taught at the Esalen Institute in California starting in the 1960s.
• Relevance: She developed "Sensory Awareness," focusing on the body's natural responses and experiences. While not centered on meridians, her work involved systematic exploration of body systems and emotional releases.
• Publications: Her teachings were compiled in various formats, including Reclaiming Vitality and Presence: Sensory Awareness as a Practice for Life. Wikipedia

2. Jeanne Rose – Herbs & Things: Jeanne Rose's Herbal​

• Profile: Jeanne Rose (1937–2024) was an American herbalist and aromatherapist based in San Francisco.
• Relevance: Her 1969 book delves into herbal remedies and includes discussions on body systems and energy, which might intersect with meridian concepts. Wikipedia

3. Lucinda Lidell – The Book of Massage​

• Profile: Lucinda Lidell authored this comprehensive guide first published in 1984.
• Relevance: The book covers various massage techniques, including aspects of Eastern practices like shiatsu, which involves meridian work. It includes diagrams and systematic approaches to bodywork. Goodreads

 

[Rufous McKinney]

I happened to have owned that Jeanne Rose book: its excellent!

I'll check those out, and see if I can further pin this down, thank you @Wayne.

I"m pretty in love with asking AI questions myself at the moment.

.... In looking at the authors above, Oh how I wish I could lay my hands on this book:

Aston(r) Postural Assessment: A New Paradigm for Observing and Evaluating Body Patterns​

By Judith Aston

This sounds fabulously interesting.