Chapter 1: The Connection Between Surgery and Energetic Trauma

Have you ever experienced surgery as a child? Have you witnessed a traumatic event? Or perhaps you've been involved in an accident, regardless of physical injuries? All these experiences can significantly influence our energy fields, particularly if they occur during childhood, leaving lasting impressions that may become trapped within us.

During surgical procedures, our energy body perceives the act of being cut open similarly to being stabbed. This creates a profound violation of our energetic integrity. For children, this experience can be especially distressing, as they are separated from their parents, often lack an understanding of the situation, and are subjected to anesthesia.

You might wonder why this matters—after all, these incidents happened long ago. Yet, you may experience unexplained physical pain, difficulty in breathing, or emotional responses such as fear, mistrust, and boundary issues.

I underwent hernia surgeries at ages five and six, following a tricycle accident and a mishap on a climbing frame. I vividly recall the moment the anesthesia mask was placed over my face, and seeing the masked doctor above me left a lasting visual impression.

He reassured me not to worry, but I could still feel the pressure of the scalpel cutting into me. Although I didn’t feel pain due to the anesthetic, the sensation was unsettling. Already having authority issues from my birth experience, I was particularly sensitive to this situation.

They used surgical glue, a novel technique in the 1960s, to close my incision, which led to scabs that caused me great concern. I feared they would rip off, and this heightened my anxiety about diving off the diving board at the pool. My apprehension extended to my bikini line as I grew older; my scars migrated lower, affecting my comfort with intimacy. It took years of healing work to alleviate my paranoia surrounding touch in that area.

Even now, decades later, during intense myofascial release bodywork, any pressure near my hernia scars remains uncomfortable. I have since undergone an appendectomy as an adult, a more serious operation, yet I have no issues with that scar. Interestingly, I found that my lower back pain aligns directly with where my hernia scars are located on my abdomen.

During surgery, ventilators assist with breathing, which can create stress on the diaphragm, leading to various digestive issues or shallow breathing. This stress can manifest as pain or discomfort, as trauma from childhood can become embedded in our cellular structure, causing our bodies to react as if we are still enduring those experiences.

What if it’s not surgery, but rather a horrific accident or witnessing a traumatic event? The same process occurs: in the moment of impact, whether visual or physical, our childlike systems experience immense shock, causing us to contract. This trauma often gets trapped within us, leading to long-term symptoms such as escapism, boundary issues, mistrust, anger, and fear.

As we grow older, we may find ourselves struggling to reclaim our power, let go of past experiences, or even forgive. The effects of trauma extend beyond childhood; adults can also experience post-traumatic stress from various situations, often compounding their childhood wounds.

It’s essential to understand that our perception of experiences influences our ability to process them—some navigate these events with ease, while others face considerable resistance. Children often lack the clarity needed to comprehend surgeries or traumatic experiences, making it crucial to explore and release the shock and trauma trapped within our cells. Doing so can lead to a more joyful, pain-free existence.

In the video "Surgery PTSD: Mind-Body Trauma and Anesthesia," the discussion centers on how surgical experiences can contribute to post-traumatic stress and the importance of understanding this connection for healing.

Another insightful video, "How PTSD affects your body in surgery," delves into the physical manifestations of trauma and how they can affect our overall well-being.