The ancient ritual of closing the bones offers a powerful approach to healing trauma that aligns remarkably well with modern understanding of the nervous system, particularly polyvagal theory. 

This ritual, traditionally used for postpartum recovery, has broader applications in addressing various forms of trauma and supporting nervous system regulation.

What is closing the bones?

Closing the bones is a traditional postpartum massage ritual. It is mostly known for its Mexican and South American roots, but versions of it exist (or used to exist) on all continents (including in Europe).

A closing the bones ritual involves the rocking of the body using scarves, a deep massage of the abdomen (and sometimes the whole body), and a sequence of tightening scarves around the body.  Some traditions also add a steam bath or sweat lodge. I use drumming in my rituals as well.

A closing the bones massage supports healing

  • Physically, by providing movement in the joints, muscles, tissues and fluids.
  • Emotionally, by providing space to rest, be witnessed and held safely, as well as for emotions to be honoured and released.
  • Spiritually, by providing closure, a space to let go of what was, and bringing energy back to the person receiving it.

Closing the bones and trauma through a polyvagal theory lens

The polyvagal theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, explains how our nervous system responds to stress and trauma. It describes three states: the ventral vagal (safe and social), sympathetic (fight or flight), and dorsal vagal (freeze or shutdown). Trauma often leaves individuals stuck in sympathetic arousal or dorsal vagal shutdown. 

The closing the bones ritual provides a unique, body-based approach to gently guide the nervous system back to a state of safety and connection.

Here’s how the ritual supports trauma healing through a polyvagal lens:

  • It creates a sense of safety. The ritual environment, with its gentle touch, rhythmic movements, and nurturing presence, helps activate the ventral vagal state. This allows the nervous system to remember what it feels like to be safe, a crucial first step in trauma healing.
  • It provides rhythmic stimulation. The rocking movements used in the ritual provide rhythmic stimulation, which can help regulate the nervous system and bring it out of fight/flight or freeze states. Think about how rocking soothes a baby.
  • It provides deep pressure. The use of scarves to apply pressure around the body stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and countering the hyperarousal often associated with trauma.
  • It provides an opportunity for non-verbal processing. By focusing on bodily sensations rather than verbal recounting of traumatic experiences, the ritual allows for processing trauma without risking re-traumatization.
  • It provides interoception. The gentle massage and body awareness promoted in the ritual can enhance interoception – the sense of the body’s internal state. This is often disrupted in trauma and improving it is key to healing.
  • It offers an opportunity for social engagement. The presence of a supportive practitioner during the ritual activates the social engagement system, a key aspect of the ventral vagal state that promotes healing and connection.
  • It provides embodiment. The ritual’s focus on the body helps individuals reconnect with their physical selves, countering the dissociation often experienced in trauma.
  • It provides containment. The wrapping of the body provides a sense of containment, which can be particularly soothing for a dysregulated nervous system. Again, think about how swaddling helps many babies calm down.
  • It is also particularly helpful for neurodivergent people, who may experience heightened nervous system dysregulation. It provides a structured, predictable experience that can help regulate an overwhelmed system without relying on verbal processing.

By incorporating elements that speak directly to the nervous system’s need for safety, rhythm, and connection, the closing the bones ritual offers a holistic approach to trauma healing. It provides a somatic experience that can guide individuals from states of hyperarousal or shutdown back to a state of calm and connection, supporting the integration of traumatic experiences.

This body-based, non-verbal approach stands in contrast to traditional talk therapies, offering a complementary path to healing that honours the wisdom of the body and the intricate dance of our nervous system. 

As we continue to understand the profound impact of trauma on both mind and body, rituals like closing the bones offer a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience in the journey towards healing and wholeness.

Join me on a free masterclass about how closing the bones supports healing from trauma on Wednesday the 7th of August at 8pm London time.

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