As Self-Care Month unfolds this September, many people are reflecting on their habits of meditation, exercise, and mindfulness. Yet despite these efforts, they may still find themselves trapped in the same emotional or behavioral loops. Judith A. Swack, Ph.D., author of "Clear Trauma Now: The Powerful Solution for Getting Unstuck," suggests that the root cause may be unresolved trauma that resides in the body, beyond the reach of conventional self-care strategies.
Dr. Swack, a biochemist and immunologist, explains that trauma is not just a mental event but a physical imprint stored in the body. This imprint can drive automatic reactions, even when a person consciously understands their triggers and desires change. "Until trauma is cleared at the body level, it keeps repeating and you keep reacting," she says. "That's why you can understand your trauma, and still feel stuck in it."
The implications of this insight are significant for anyone who has struggled with self-improvement. It suggests that insight and willpower alone are insufficient to break free from deeply ingrained patterns. Trauma is structured in layers, and most therapeutic approaches do not address its full depth. This is why individuals may experience emotional and physical reactions even when they know they are safe, and why unconscious patterns can lead to self-sabotage.
To address this, Dr. Swack developed the Healing from the Body Level Up (HBLU™) methodology, a comprehensive system designed to clear trauma at the conscious, unconscious, body, and soul levels. Her approach is informed by her original research into the structure of trauma, and it incorporates evidence-based energy psychology techniques. The method has gained recognition, with her book recently winning the 2026 Silver Medal for Grief Books from the Coalition of Visionary Resources (COVR).
Dr. Swack will be conducting a "Clear Trauma Now Live Healing" webinar on Thursday evenings throughout September, from 7-9 p.m. EDT on Sept. 3, and 7-8:30 p.m. EDT on Sept. 10, 17, and 24. These sessions are designed to demonstrate trauma healing in real time and teach participants how to apply these techniques themselves. More information is available at hblu.org/live-healing-experience.
This focus on deeper self-care offers a new perspective for those who have felt frustrated by their inability to change despite their best efforts. It points to the need for approaches that go beyond surface-level management to address the underlying trauma that can keep us stuck.
