The Tao of Trauma: A Practitioner's Guide for Integrating Five Element Theory and Trauma Treatment

Explains trauma using a combination of the Five Elements (from Traditional Chinese Medicine) and a touch perspective; for practitioners of a variety of modalities, including acupuncturists, somatic therapists, massage therapists, and mental health providers.

Combining Eastern and Western trauma physiology, clinician-educators Alaine Duncan and Kathy Kain introduce a new map for acupuncturists, medical practitioners, mental health providers, and body-oriented clinicians to help restore balance in their patients. Using concepts from Acupuncture and Asian Medicine (AAM), alongside descriptions of the threat response from Western bio-behavioral science, they describe common physical symptoms, emotional presentations, and paths for healing for five survivor "types" detailed by the authors and correlated to the Five Elements of AAM. This ancient/modern integrative lens illuminates the diverse manifestations of traumatic stress in its survivors--chronic pain, autoimmune illness, insomnia, metabolic problems, and mental health disorders--and brings new hope to survivors of trauma and those who treat them.

“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 anddeveloper 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 patience, clarity, and knowledge as a student in her workshops. Her teachings, now presented in The Tao of Trauma, should be required reading for everyone working in the field of healing minds, bodies, and souls.”
—The Reverend Cheryl A. Jones, board certified institutional Chaplain,
Washington, DC
 
“TheTao of Trauma is a gem, filled with wisdom and profoundly beautiful ways to walk side by side, supporting another human being on their path toward profound healing following trauma.”
—Janet Durfee, RN/MSN/ANP-c, Navy Nurse Corps Veteran

“Healing trauma requires many approaches and a careful guide. Merging Eastern and Western approaches, The Tao of Trauma is that guide and is a must read for those who have had or work with trauma.”
—Lt. Colonel Wayne Jonas, USA, (Ret); former director NIH Office of Alternative Medicine
 
“The Tao of Trauma gives us precise language to help us understand trauma in a new way. It presents a fresh frame for perceiving what trauma is and suggests wise responses for healing trauma. Therefore, this book is highly valuable for therapists and acupuncturists, as well as for all practitioners who encounter trauma in their clients. Moreover, if you have struggled with PTSD or other forms of trauma, you will find this book to be illuminating and useful for your self-directed healing.”
—Phillip Moffitt, author of Emotional Chaos to Clarity, and Awakening through the Nine Bodies: Explorations in Consciousness for Mindfulness Meditation and Yoga Practitioners

ALAINE D. DUNCAN, MAc is a respected acupuncture clinician, educator, and researcher with over twenty-seven years in practice. A charter member of the Integrative Health and Wellness program at the D.C. Veterans Administration Medical Center, she was also founding director of Crossings Healing and Wellness in Silver Spring, MD and currently serves in a volunteer capacity as Clinical Director for Acupuncturists Without Borders of the National Capitol Area, which provides free weekly clinics to immigrants and refugees.

KATHY KAIN, Phd has been a senior trainer in the Somatic Experiencing® training program for nineteen years and has worked with thousands of people over her thirty-seven years of practicing and teaching bodywork and trauma recovery. She shares her expertise in the physiology of traumatic stress through her popular program "Touch Skills Training for Trauma Therapists" and is author of Ortho-Bionomy: A Practical Manual (North Atlantic Books, 1997) and coauthor with Steve Terrell of Nurturing Resilience: Helping Clients Move Forward From Development Trauma - An Integrative Somatic Approach (North Atlantic Books, forthcoming 2018).