Background

Lexi dreaded the instruction to “take a deep relaxing breath.” Her hampered breathing made it difficult for her to access the benefits of any positive techniques that followed. She attributed her distressing, somatic sensations to legitimate physical limitations resulting from asthma and an amputation of one lung. 

Implicit, somatic memories – imprinted from childhood – can be triggered by otherwise benign events causing heightened autonomic reactivity that can impede positive expectations and, subsequently, cognitive performance [1-3].  

A novel intervention, rapid Reprogramming of Emotional Stress Technique (rREST), identifies and reprocesses the emotions associated with traumatic implicit memories.

Aims

In this case study, we describe Lexi’s long-term improvement in physical function resulting from rREST intervention, during which an implicit, early-life trauma associated with a somatic sensation was contextualized and reconsolidated during midlife.   

Method

Because of her ongoing physical condition, Lexi tracked her lung capacity and oxygen saturation daily to make sure she was not in danger of asphyxiation. 

During a rREST session, a remote, biofeedback-based, digital muscle-test [4] is used to determine the existence of a stress pattern. It was determined that the instruction to inhale triggered a stress response in Lexi. Lexi was guided to a parasympathetic state during which an implicit memory was uncovered and the emotions embedded in the memory were processed.

Results

After treatment, Lexi immediately reported she could take a deep breath without distress. The following day, her oxygen saturation had increased from 90-94% to 100% and her lung capacity had increased from 300-325 mm to >550 mm.  These dramatic increases continued for the remainder of the study (10 days). After eliminating her distress related to taking deep breaths, Lexi now reports that she experiences the affective stabilization of positive psychological techniques. 

Conclusion

rREST mitigates stress triggers to give clients more access to positive techniques that can reduce general stress. The dramatic improvement demonstrated here suggests that the therapeutic benefits of rREST warrant further research.