Affiliation:
1. New York University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Abstract
Traumatic experiences, either as a result of catastrophic or daily events, can greatly and negatively interfere with a person's normal life. PTSD shows a unique feature of having a simultaneous presence of arousal and numbing responses, which leads to persistent and complex symptoms, usually explored and processed through common therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapies or trauma focused therapies, among others. However, these therapies, although showing great improvements, show low success in long-term for the treatment of PTSD symptomatology and patients frequently discontinue treatment. This chapter compiles scientific literature that supports and shows evidence that the introduction of body-oriented therapies as adjunct treatment supports positive results in the treatment of PTSD symptoms as it directly intervenes with the natural neurobiological body responses to trauma. Physical activity positively interferes with Brain-Derived neurotrophic factors levels, reshapes disturbed stress responses due to trauma, and supports patients to start adequate psychotherapy treatment.
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