Explore how the nervous system influences both physical and emotional health.

Explore how mast cells and histamine sensitivity can drive symptoms across multiple systems

Explore how the nervous system influences both physical and emotional health.

Could chronic stress, digestive problems, anxiety, or unexplained symptoms be signs of a dysregulated nervous system? In this episode of Menopause Rescue, Dr. Polly Watson sits down with somatic experiencing practitioner Audrey Burke to discuss how somatic therapy can help calm the nervous system, support trauma healing, and improve both physical and emotional well-being.

“With somatic therapy, we don’t actually have to go back to the original event in order to heal from it.” — Audrey Burke 

Unlike traditional talk therapy, somatic therapy focuses on the body’s sensations to help shift the nervous system out of chronic fight-or-flight or shutdown states. Audrey explains how unresolved stress and trauma can contribute to symptoms like IBS, insomnia, fatigue, chronic pain, and heightened anxiety, even when medical tests are normal. Together, she and Dr. Watson explore the powerful gut-brain connection, the importance of helping the body feel safe, and why nervous system regulation can be a missing piece in many healing journeys.

The episode also features a simple guided “joint dance” exercise that listeners can use to reduce stress and reconnect with their bodies in just a few minutes. Whether you’re navigating menopause, chronic illness, or the effects of long-term stress, this conversation offers practical, evidence-informed tools to help you move toward healing from the inside out.

• “With somatic therapy, we don’t actually have to go back to the original event in order to heal from it.” — Audrey Burke 
• “We’re not just looking at our thoughts or emotions, but also noticing what’s happening in the body’s experience.” — Audrey Burke 
• “Maybe you don’t need another five supplements. We need to get your nervous system to feel safe.” — Dr. Polly Watson  

Disclaimer: https://hormonewellnessmd.com/podcast#Disclaimer

She looks forward to sharing her knowledge with you to help find a solution to address the imbalance in your system and restore your health.

Audrey Burke is a licensed massage therapist and certified Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (SEP) specializing in trauma healing and nervous system regulation. After overcoming her own unexplained health challenges through somatic healing, Audrey discovered her passion for helping others reconnect with their bodies and restore a sense of safety, resilience, and well-being. She integrates Somatic Experiencing®, Transforming Touch®, and Holistic Pelvic Care™ to support healing from trauma, developmental stress, and nervous system dysregulation. Audrey sees clients in person in Durham, North Carolina, and virtually worldwide, providing compassionate, body-based care that helps people reconnect with their authentic selves and trust their body’s innate capacity to heal.