The Tao of Trauma

“In bringing together the Five Elements theory from Acupunture and Asian Medicine, along with a somatically based understanding of trauma, this book fulfills an important role in the deep healing of trauma and stress-related disorders. The insights from this clearly written volume are tremendously important for therapists, bodyworkers, acupuncturists, physicians, and other healers. It will also help individuals better understand their perplexing symptoms and find pathways to healing.” —Peter A. Levine, PhD, author of Waking the Tiger, In an Unspoken Voice, and Trauma and Memory and developer of the Somatic Experiencing® model of trauma healing “I highly recommend The Tao of Trauma to therapists of all disciplines. It is a unique synthesis of Eastern and Western scholarly research and clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of trauma and is especially pertinent with the growing awareness of post-traumatic stress as the root cause of many public health issues. It is richly illustrated with case histories and gives detailed instructions for helping clients complete the process of healing, not merely suppressing their symptoms.” —Peter Eckman, MD, PhD, MAc(UK), author of In the Footsteps of the Yellow Emperor, Emotions Revealed, and The Compleat Acupuncturist “Alaine Duncan and Kathy Kain use contemporary neuroscience to bridge the classic Five Element model of Acupuncture and Asian Medicine (AAM) with Somatic Experiencing. Through this integration a new understanding of traumatic experiences emerges that leads to more effective treatment.” —Stephen W. Porges, PhD, professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina; distinguished university scientist, Kinsey Institute, Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana; developer, Polyvagal Theory “We are a part of this natural world, and it is nature that heals our body, opens our mind, and awakens our spirit. In this pioneering book, Alaine Duncan and Kathy Kain draw on the wisdom of nature, and chart a rich and trustworthy pathway for working with trauma.” —Tara Brach, PhD, psychologist, author of Radical Acceptance and True Refuge “When trying to help people with complex and difficult symptoms and conditions, I have often found that the greatest insights and healing came when I looked at these problems through an entirely different lens or system than the biomedical model in which I was trained. The Tao of Trauma teaches us all to do just that. This important work will directly impact all clinicians who work with people living with traumatic stress, and the clients and patients they serve.” —Tracy W. Gaudet, MD, executive director, Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation, Veterans Health Administration “East meets West! The Tao of Trauma is a unique book and Alaine Duncan’s compassion, sensitivity and skill as a practitioner shines through from every page.” —Angela Hicks, LAc, cofounder, College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, Reading, UK “This pioneering method of combining Eastern and Western schools of thought creates a new model for healing trauma. This book is clear and highly readable, and will be educational not only for those affected by trauma, but also for professionals who devote their practices to resolving it.” —Stephen J. Terrell, PsyD, SEP, author (with Kathy Kain), Nurturing Resilience: Helping Clients Move Forward from Developmental Trauma—An Integrative Somatic Approach “ Duncan and Kain artfully describe the restoration of our natural healthy functioning via the balancing of yin and yang, and the return of regulated functioning of the autonomic nervous system. While our experience of trauma may be complex, understanding that our life force/qi is always available to support healing is simple and essential guidance for practitioners wanting a comprehensive resource for a somatic approach to trauma healing.” —Berns Galloway, somatic psychotherapist, senior faculty member, Somatic Experiencing® Trauma Institute. “The Tao of Trauma offers providers a new lens to understand the impact of trauma on human beings, and how and why integrative approaches are so critical. I highly recommend this book to all providers.” —Robin Carnes, MBA, certified yoga therapist, cofounder of Warriors at Ease “Alaine Duncan has opened new doors of discourse for clinicians and new promise for those suffering from trauma. The Tao of Trauma is a must-read for integrative-minded clinicians.” —Jane Grissmer, LAc, MAc(UK), director, Crossings Healing and Wellness, former dean of faculty and chair of AOM Theory Division, Maryland University of Integrative Health “Duncan and Kain reveal themselves as healers and teachers with sensitivity, experience, skill, and scholarship.” —Nancy Takahashi, LAc, MAc “The Tao of Trauma fills a critical gap in the literature on trauma and healing. I recommend it as essential reading for all practitioners.” —Diana Fried, founder and president, Acupuncturists Without Borders “I came to know Alaine Duncan’s p