Safe and Sound Protocol based on Polyvagal Theory

[Superwoman]

 

Has anyone tried the Safe and Sound Protocol, based on Polyvagal Theory? If so, did it help with your withdrawal symptoms or make it worse?  My sister is an integrative holistic counselor and she is training in this method.  She told me that I can do the protocol for free through her.  It is normally expensive.  She would do check in’s with me during the therapy. The therapy is a type of sound therapy that stimulates the vagus nerve through the middle ear.  It is said to rebalance the nervous system and help the nervous system enter the parasympathetic state.  Is this something that would be okay to do during withdrawal and tapering?   My sister did not know.  I am thinking of doing it in between reductions, while I am holding the dose.  I would like to try it now while I have the opportunity to do it for free.  I don't think that i will have the opportunity years later, when I have completely tapered off of this medication.  It is supposed to help with sleep, anxiety, auditory processing and lower resting heart rate and improve heart rate variability. Side effects are temporary agitation, fatigue and headaches.    

[tsranga]

I would say it can't hurt, but the same effect can be achieved through yoga, breathing, and acupuncture. 

 

I used it for my daughter's learning challenges when she was 6-7 but I didn't notice any transformative change. 

 

In withdrawal, our issue is not getting into the parasympathetic mode, but constantly trying to balance the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, and under/over-correcting. I haven't found anything to help with that. 

 

However, diaphragmatic breathing, yoga and occasional craniosacral therapy have been very helpful. 

 

I'd be interested to know how it goes for you.

[Superwoman]

8 hours ago, tsranga said:

I'd be interested to know how it goes for you.

I do yoga and I find that helpful.  If I do it I will update on how it goes. 

[FeralCatman]

This was suggested to me by one of the withdrawal coaches to deal with the trauma in my life. I hadn't realized it but once I read the theory behind this I realized I was already doing a lot of it and that it does actually work. It all centers around figuring out ways to establish a sense of safety in connection. Once the worst of the withdrawal starts to die down it is something that if you can read and understand the basic concepts behind what they are saying you can take those and apply them to yourselves without having to pay anybody a lot of money. The Gupta program and dnrs programs are pretty much the same way and that once you understand the basic concepts you can apply them to yourself in whatever way works for you.