PubMed
Free access to biomedical and life sciences literature. Search terms: "somatic therapy," "interoception," "body awareness," "trauma therapy," "Feldenkrais," "Somatic Experiencing."
While somatic practices have ancient roots in lived experience, modern science more and more shows they work.
Note: This is not a complete list but a selected collection of Research Resources. For academic papers and detailed studies, check the original sources and databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, and PsycINFO.
What the NCCIH Says About Somatic Therapy
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) is a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It funds research on mind-body practices and publishes evidence-based summaries for the public and healthcare providers.
NCCIH Classification of Mind-Body Practices
The NCCIH classifies somatic and body-based approaches under "mind-body practices" — a category that includes yoga, tai chi, qigong, meditation, and relaxation techniques. The NCCIH considers these approaches a legitimate area of complementary health research and actively funds studies examining their effectiveness.
Key NCCIH Findings
- Chronic pain: The NCCIH recognizes mind-body practices as having "substantial evidence" for reducing chronic low back pain. Studies show yoga and movement-based somatic practices produce measurable improvements in pain and function.
- Anxiety and stress: NCCIH-funded reviews find that mind-body interventions — including breathwork and body awareness practices — consistently reduce anxiety and perceived stress across populations.
- PTSD and trauma: The NCCIH notes that body-based approaches including Somatic Experiencing and trauma-sensitive yoga show "promising results" for PTSD symptoms. Research in this area is active and growing.
- Depression: Multiple NCCIH-reviewed studies find mind-body practices reduce depressive symptoms, particularly when combined with conventional treatment.
- Nervous system regulation: Research supported by NCCIH confirms that body-based practices can measurably shift autonomic nervous system states — supporting the theoretical foundation of somatic therapy.
Important context: The NCCIH distinguishes between practices with strong evidence (yoga for back pain, mindfulness for stress) and those with emerging evidence (Somatic Experiencing for PTSD). This does not mean emerging practices are ineffective — it reflects the relative maturity of the research, not the clinical experience of practitioners and clients.
For the full NCCIH evidence summaries, visit nccih.nih.gov/health/mind-and-body-practices.
Additional Research Resources
Where to find more research on somatic practices.
Google Scholar
Complete index of academic writing across disciplines. Useful for finding full-text articles and tracking citations.
Somatic Experiencing Research
Somatic Experiencing International maintains a research page with studies on SE effectiveness for trauma.
Feldenkrais Guild Research
The Feldenkrais Guild maintains a bibliography of research studies on the Feldenkrais Method.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute
Resources and research publications on Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for trauma.
PsycINFO (APA)
The American Psychological Association's database of psychological writing. Excellent for finding research on somatic psychology, body psychotherapy, and body studies.
Trauma Research Foundation
Founded by Bessel van der Kolk, this organization supports research on trauma and body-based methods including yoga and mindfulness.
International Body Psychotherapy Journal
Reviewed journal publishing research and theory on somatic psychotherapy, body-oriented therapy, and being in your body.
US Association for Body Psychotherapy (USABP)
Professional organization with research resources, articles, and publications on body psychotherapy and somatic approaches.
European Association for Body Psychotherapy (EABP)
Research section with studies, articles, and resources on body-oriented psychotherapy from European perspectives.
Mind & Life Institute
Research where contemplative practice, brain science, and body awareness meet. Supports studies on mindfulness, meditation, and being in your body.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
NIH center funding research on mind-body practices including yoga, tai chi, qigong, and meditation. Includes evidence-based summaries.
Polyvagal Institute
Research and resources on Polyvagal Theory, nervous system calming, and somatic methods developed by Dr. Stephen Porges.
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Peer-reviewed journal publishing research on bodywork, movement therapies, manual therapy, and somatic education methods.
ResearchGate
Academic networking site where researchers share publications. Search for specific somatic practitioners, methods, or studies to find full-text papers.