TRE (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises) is a method developed by American therapist David Berceli. The goal is to release tension and stress that have built up in the body through natural vibrations of the muscles and nervous system.

The method consists of a series of simple exercises that primarily activate the legs, hips, and lower back. Afterward, a slight vibration often occurs spontaneously in the body. According to Berceli, this is a natural mechanism of the nervous system to release tension, similar to how animals sometimes tremble after stress.

People use TRE for stress, tension, burnout, PTSD, and chronic anxiety. Some experience more relaxation, better sleep, or less physical tension. At the same time, TRE is not a miracle cure. In people with severe trauma or dissociation, it can also evoke intense emotions or reactions. Therefore, guidance by a well-trained TRE provider is important, especially in cases of complex trauma.

Scientific research into TRE is growing, but is still limited. There are indications that it can help with relaxation and stress regulation, but the method has been researched less extensively than, for example, EMDR or cognitive trauma therapy.

TRE fits within a broader development in which the body and nervous system are increasingly taken into account in the recovery from trauma and long-term stress.