These patterns are the body’s natural survival strategies. They can show up as racing thoughts, emotional flooding, forgetfulness, or a sense of detachment. Importantly, these responses are protective, not permanent. With time, support, and regulation, the nervous system can find its way back to balance. To prevent illness or disease, it’s imperative to be able to move fluidly from a stressed state (which is supposed to be temporary) to a relaxed state. Being stuck in a stressed state can wreak havoc on the body.

Nervous System Regulation Tool

There is a wonderful modality that is simple to share to help a loved one or trusted friend when they are experiencing overwhelm. This is an evidence-based, trauma informed, nervous system regulation tool.

To start, have the individual in a seated position with legs supported or lying down.
Place one hand on the kidney area (just below the rib cage, lower back).
Place the other hand on the underside of the ankle.
Have the recipient focus on their breath. A suggestion is to ask them to give themselves a breath in, from the abdomen, for a count of 4, hold at the top for a second, and exhale for a count of 6 seconds. This can be done a few times to help calm the body.
Wait quietly until you feel pulsations at each spot with your hands. You will feel a tick-tock. It may be fast or faint depending on the state of their nervous system. If the person is in a dysregulated state, you will feel the pulsations sooner. If they are in a relatively calm state, it may take about 2 minutes, or longer, to feel the pulsations.
Wait until the pulsations dissipate. Repeat on the other side.
Feel free to include an intention or prayer for the recipient.

It is important to wait until the pulsations dissipate before removing your hands. In addition, if you are the giver of this modality, be sure you are in a regulated state. You do not want to pass your anxiety or unease to the recipient.
The reason this works so well is that the kidneys are the body’s filtration system. The kidneys lie near the psoas muscle (sometimes called the “fight-or-flight” muscle). By holding this region, bodywork can help the body soften tension in the psoas, which promotes parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) regulation. Holding the kidneys offers both a physiological benefit (soothing stress hormone response) and an energetic one (safety, support, vitality), making it a powerful point of regulation in bodywork. The practitioner is using their nervous system to dial down the recipient’s stress, creating a sense of calm and ease.
Some recipients may feel tired right away, or the following day, others may feel energized. The majority of clients I share this with feel tired and need a nap, or have a really wonderful night’s rest as a result of this. Each result is individual. However, be aware of the possible need to take a rest the following day.
This modality is wonderful for significant others to share with one another, for a parent to use with a child to aid in their sleep, or soothe their anxiety. The most important factor in sharing this modality is the giver’s intention. As long as there is a pure intention to soothe, comfort, show compassion or assist with a restful night’s sleep, the results will be beautiful. It’s simply holding space for a person whom you care about and allowing tension in the nervous system to melt into the practitioner’s hands. Give it a try. ❦

About the Author
Rosie Cataldo is a trauma informed healing practitioner, counter human trafficking consultant and trainer, who works alongside Midwest Center for Trauma Healing in Minneapolis, MN.
She is an experienced researcher, multifaceted writer, and an innate connector who enjoys educating and training others on how to recognize and report exploitative activity. Offering people tools to create life-long barriers to traumas and embark on their path toward healing is her mission.

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