We interviewed Aimie Apigian MD MS MPH about her signature model and methodology, The Biology of Trauma®. You can watch the replay below. Please note that you will be asked to provide your email address at the 30-minute mark to continue viewing the replay.
What Is the Biology of Trauma®?
Trauma is the experience the body had going through an event or through a period of time surrounding an event. It can manifest in different ways for different people, and it can impact both the mind and body. Trauma affects the nervous system and can manifest in symptoms such as:
- Mood swings
- PTSD
- Fatigue
- Pain
- Unexplained reactions
The Biology of Trauma® is Dr. Aimie’s signature model and methodology of accelerating the trauma-healing journey. She has discovered that healing from trauma can often be the catalyst to healing the body.
In This Webinar
In this webinar, Dr. Aimie will help us to answer the following questions:
- What are common types of trauma?
- Is birth trauma a common type of trauma?
- What is the impact of trauma on biology?
- What is the difference between stress and trauma?
- Is trauma a common block to healing?
- Can trauma be passed on intergenerationally?
- How can healing trauma accelerate healing?
- What are ways that people can begin to heal trauma?
Key Discussions
Trauma and the Digestive System
Trauma is often stored in the nervous system and can significantly impact the digestive system and overall health.
Expanding the Definition of Trauma
Trauma includes overwhelming experiences at any age, particularly in early life, and is not limited to severe or explicit events.
Addressing Trauma Through Somatic Work and Parts Work
Healing trauma involves addressing the physical storage of trauma in the body through somatic exercises and recognizing and integrating different parts of oneself.
Neurodevelopment, Biochemical Imbalances and Trauma
Neurodevelopmental factors and biochemical imbalances, such as nutrient deficiencies, can contribute to the body’s trauma response and hinder healing.
The Intertwined Nature of Autoimmune Conditions and Trauma
Trauma can lead to neuroinflammation and autoimmune responses, highlighting the connection between adverse experiences and chronic health conditions. (See Sources & References, below.)
Timestamped Overview
00:00 Monthly community calls, house calls, donations, disclaimer.
07:21 Recognizing attachment and trust issues in others.
16:15 Unresolved trauma affects our biology at cellular level.
21:01 Body follows specific trauma response steps: startle, react, freeze.
25:34 Discovering options to heal the body.
32:05 Using a new definition of trauma, helping kids.
33:21 Challenges in parenting, overcoming past overwhelm.
42:20 Implicit memories can trigger the body’s response.
47:15 Embracing somatic parts and negotiating internal conflicts.
48:41 Recognize the strong part and listen closely.
56:19 Safety and support are crucial for growth.
59:55 Gradual, safe steps to build confidence.
About Aimie Apigian MD MS MPH
Dr. Aimie Apigian MD MS MPH is a double Board-Certified Physician, boarded in both Preventive and Addiction Medicine with a Masters in Biochemistry and a Masters in Public Health. She is a leader, speaker and founder of Trauma Healing Accelerated, LLC where she not only continues to lead individuals in their own healing journey but trains professionals around the world to do the same.
After a few years in a general surgery residency in Portland, OR, Dr. Aimie decided to forge her career path as a Trauma, Attachment and Addiction Medicine Physician. She believes the healing journey can be accelerated by bringing in the biology piece to trauma and applying strategic tools to address the chronic effects of trauma in ones body.
Having both parented children with effects from attachment and trauma issues and then having her own health challenges from chronic stress and traumas, she is intensely invested on finding what actually works practically and how to restore the body to its highest potential for health optimizing the biology.
In addition to her medical training, she is also a Functional Medicine physician and has training and certifications specifically in neuro-autoimmunity, nutrition and genetics for addictions, mental health, and mood and behavioral disorders.
She has a number of certifications in various trauma therapies including Instinctual Trauma Response Model (an art trauma therapy), Somatic Experiencing (developed by Dr. Peter Levine), and NeuroAffective Touch (Dr. Aline LaPierre). Dr. Aimie enjoys bridging the gap between what she sees happening in these trauma therapies and a person’s biology and nervous system. You can find out more about her and her work at her website https://www.traumahealingaccelerated.com/
Disclaimer
This webinar is not a substitute for medical advice, treatment, diagnosis, or consultation with a medical professional. It is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be relied on to make determinations related to treatment of a medical condition. Epidemic Answers has not verified and does not guaranty the accuracy of the information provided in this webinar.
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Sources & References
Briggs, E.C., et al. All adverse childhood experiences are not equal: The contribution of synergy to adverse childhood experience scores. Am Psychol. 2021 Feb-Mar;76(2):243-252.
Brown, D.W., et al. Adverse childhood experiences are associated with the risk of lung cancer: a prospective cohort study. BMC Public Health. 2010 Jan 19:10:20.
Dube, S.R. Cumulative childhood stress and autoimmune diseases in adults. Psychosom Med. 2009 Feb;71(2):243-50.
Eid, K., et al. Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Risk of Multiple Sclerosis Development: A Review of Potential Mechanisms. Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Jan 26;25(3):1520.
Felitti, V.J. Origins of the ACE Study. Am J Prev Med. 2019 Jun;56(6):787-789.
Maes, M., et al. T cell activation and lowered T regulatory cell numbers are key processes in severe major depressive disorder: Effects of recurrence of illness and adverse childhood experiences. J Affect Disord. 2024 Jun 29:362:62-74.
Morgart, K., et al. Adverse childhood experiences and developmental disabilities: risks, resiliency, and policy. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2021 Oct;63(10):1149-1154.
Rossini, E.E., et al. Childhood adverse experiences and clinical manifestations in women with systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus. 2024 Apr;33(5):511-519.
