Emergency services professionals—including NHS staff, ambulance crews, and fire service teams are society’s lifeline in times of crisis. Their work saves lives, often in the most challenging and high-pressure circumstances. Yet, the physical and emotional toll of their roles can be immense, leading to long-term stress, tension, and trauma.
In my personal experience of working with NHS doctors, emergency responders, and fire service personnel, I’ve seen how their bodies often carry the imprint of their work. Over the years, I’ve also had the privilege of training NHS staff to become TRE® Providers, empowering them to bring this transformative practice to their colleagues and teams.
How Trauma Affects the Body: Fight, Flight, and Freeze
When emergency services staff face intense situations, their bodies naturally activate the fight, flight, or freeze response. This is a survival mechanism designed to keep us safe in danger. In high-pressure roles, this response isn’t just an occasional reaction; it often becomes a daily reality.
Repeated exposure to trauma can lead to:
- Chronic fight or flight activation: Muscles tighten, breathing becomes shallow, and the nervous system remains on high alert.
- Freeze and dissociation: In the absence of an escape route, the body may “shut down” emotionally and physically to cope with overwhelming stress.
- Defence cascade effects: A cycle of escalating stress responses that leave the body stuck in survival mode, long after the immediate danger has passed.
These responses are adaptive in the moment. When the body doesn’t return to a state of calm, it often stores the tension, leaving emergency services staff vulnerable to anxiety, burnout, and physical health issues.
How TRE® Can Help Release Stress and Restore Balance
TRE® (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises) is a powerful tool designed to release the tension and trauma stored in the body. Developed by Dr. David Berceli, TRE® uses a series of simple movements to activate the body’s natural tremor mechanism—a gentle, involuntary shaking or pulsing that helps calm the nervous system and reset the body after periods of stress.
What makes TRE® so effective is that it works directly with the body, bypassing the need to relive or analyse traumatic memories. Instead, it helps release the physical stress held in the muscles, allowing the nervous system to restore balance naturally.
My Personal Experience: TRE® with the NHS
I’ve had the privilege of working directly with NHS staff and emergency responders who face these challenges every day. Many of my clients come to me exhausted, physically tense, and emotionally drained from years of supporting others in crisis.
One NHS doctor I worked with described feeling constantly “on edge,” unable to switch off after years of dealing with emergencies. After learning TRE®, they told me it was the first time in years they had felt truly calm and rested in their body.
I’ve also trained NHS staff to become certified TRE® Providers, enabling them to introduce this practice to their colleagues from the inside out. One student described how the integration of TRE into their routine highlighted how stuck they had been living in the fight/flight response – and importantly – how different and restored their system now feels. By bringing TRE® into their hospitals and clinics, these Providers are creating a ripple effect of well-being across their teams.
A particularly inspiring example comes from the Fire Service. After their lead director experienced the benefits of TRE® in a personal session, they recognised its potential for their team. TRE® was subsequently introduced to the entire service, helping firefighters release the cumulative stress and tension that comes with their critical roles.
Why TRE® is Ideal for Emergency Services Staff
- Easy to Learn and Integrate. TRE® is simple to learn and requires no special equipment, making it accessible even in busy schedules. It can be practised individually or in groups, and once learned, it’s a tool you can use for life.
- A Group Experience That Builds Connection. TRE® was designed to be a shared practice, and emergency services teams can benefit from shaking together. Group sessions not only help individuals release tension but also foster deeper trust and connection within the team.
- Targets the Root of the Problem. By addressing the physical imprint of trauma directly, TRE® provides a unique pathway to recovery, breaking the cycle of fight, flight, or freeze responses.
The Benefits of TRE® for Emergency Services Workers
- Immediate stress relief: After a challenging shift, TRE® helps discharge stress and tension, bringing the body back to a state of calm.
- Restores emotional regulation: TRE® helps stabilise the nervous system, reducing feelings of overwhelm and anxiety.
- Improves sleep and energy: By calming the body, TRE® promotes better rest and increased vitality.
- Builds resilience: Regular practice helps prepare the body and mind to handle future stress without becoming stuck in survival mode.
TRE®: A Practice for Life
Emergency services professionals are trained to handle the toughest situations, but their own well-being is just as important. TRE® offers a lifeline for those who spend their lives saving others—a simple, effective way to release stress, recover from trauma, and restore balance.
If you’re ready to experience the benefits of TRE® for yourself or your team, I’d love to support you on this journey. Whether you’re looking for personal sessions, team training, or certification, TRE® is here to help.
Explore our TRE® training programmes or reach out to learn more about how this life-changing practice can support you and your colleagues.
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