Trauma and Access Bars
Can Access Bars help with trauma?
Trauma is a response to deeply distressing events. It can cause PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Trauma is stored in the body and mind, and it often requires professional treatment.
Access Bars has been promoted by some practitioners as a trauma-release tool. The claim is that touching the 32 Bars points can release stored trauma from the body and mind, allowing people to feel lighter and more at peace. Some people report emotional releases and relief after sessions.
These claims are based on Access Consciousness philosophy, not established trauma science. There is no evidence that thoughts, emotions, or trauma are stored in specific head points or that touching them releases them.
Trauma treatment should always involve evidence-based approaches like EMDR, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or other professional modalities. Access Bars should not be used as a substitute for therapy.
Trauma treatment: Access Bars vs. evidence-based care
A diagram showing Access Bars as a complementary practice alongside professional trauma treatment.
Evidence-based treatment
Therapy, EMDR, CBT, and other professional trauma treatments.
Access Bars
Optional complementary relaxation practice.
Trauma healing
Requires professional support as the primary approach.
Skim first
Key takeaways
The shortest useful version of this page.
Access Bars is not a treatment for trauma or PTSD.
Trauma release claims are not scientifically supported.
Evidence-based therapy is essential for trauma treatment.
Access Bars may be used only alongside professional care.
It should not replace therapy or medical treatment.
Trauma and Access Bars
- Access Bars developed as a general wellness practice.It wasn't designed for trauma treatment.
- Some practitioners began promoting Access Bars for trauma release.People experiencing trauma sought complementary relief.
- Access Bars is sometimes used as a complementary trauma practice.It is one of many approaches people try for trauma.
Trauma basics
What is trauma and how is it treated?
Trauma is the emotional and psychological response to deeply distressing or life-threatening events. It can lead to PTSD, which includes symptoms like flashbacks, hypervigilance, avoidance, and emotional numbing.
Trauma treatment typically involves evidence-based therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), prolonged exposure therapy, and sometimes medication.
Trauma recovery is a process that requires professional support. Complementary practices may be used alongside therapy, but they should not replace it.
The Access Bars explanation
How does Access Bars claim to help with trauma?
Within Access Consciousness, trauma is sometimes described as being stored in the body and mind in the form of "charge" or "energy." Practitioners claim that touching the 32 Bars points can release this stored trauma, allowing people to process and let go of it.
This explanation is part of the Access Consciousness framework. There is no evidence that trauma is stored in specific head points or that touching them releases it.
A more careful perspective is that Access Bars may provide relaxation and a safe space for rest. For someone with trauma, a calm environment and gentle touch might feel comforting. But this does not mean it treats trauma.
What do practitioners and participants say?
- Practitioner
Some practitioners offer Access Bars specifically for trauma release. They describe it as a way to help people process and release traumatic experiences [citation:1][citation:7].
- Participant
Some people report emotional releases, relief, or a sense of lightness after Access Bars sessions. Others may feel distressed or triggered.
- Balanced view
These experiences are genuine but should not be mistaken for trauma treatment. Emotional release is not the same as processing trauma therapeutically.
- Evidence view
There is no independent evidence that Access Bars treats PTSD or trauma disorders.
Access Bars should not be used as a substitute for trauma therapy. It may even trigger distress in some individuals. Always work with a qualified therapist for trauma.
Evidence scan
What does the evidence say?
The evidence for Access Bars in trauma treatment is essentially nonexistent.
Overall: not enough evidence
Unclear or mixed
Not clearly for or against
Access Bars provides a calming space that may support trauma recovery.
A calm and safe environment can be supportive for trauma survivors. Access Bars may provide this as a complementary practice, but it is not treatment.
Leans against
Points that do not support the claim
Access Bars treats PTSD or trauma disorders.
There is no evidence to support this claim. PTSD requires evidence-based treatment.
Access Bars releases stored trauma from the body.
This is a belief-based claim, not a scientifically established fact.
Reality check
Common misunderstandings about Access Bars and trauma
- Myth
Access Bars can cure PTSD.
RealityThere is no evidence. PTSD requires professional treatment.
- Myth
Trauma is stored in the Bars points.
RealityThis is a belief-based claim, not a scientific fact.
- Myth
Feeling relief after Access Bars means trauma is healed.
RealityRelief is not the same as trauma healing. Professional therapy is needed.
- Myth
Access Bars is safer than trauma therapy.
RealityIt is gentle, but it is not a substitute for professional treatment.
Safety
Is Access Bars safe for trauma survivors?
The physical procedure is gentle, but there are important psychological considerations for trauma survivors.
Generally low-risk for
- Trauma survivors who are in therapy and want a complementary relaxation practice
- Those who can tolerate gentle touch
Use caution if
- You have PTSD or complex trauma and are not in therapy
- You are easily triggered by touch or unfamiliar experiences
- You are expecting a cure or major emotional release
- You do not have professional support
Seek professional help if
- You have trauma that is affecting your daily life
- You need evidence-based trauma treatment
- You are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Access Bars is not a treatment for trauma or PTSD. It should never replace therapy or professional mental health care.
What to remember about Access Bars and trauma
Access Bars is not a treatment for trauma or PTSD.
Trauma release claims are not scientifically supported.
Evidence-based therapy is essential for trauma treatment.
Access Bars may be used only alongside professional care.
It should not replace therapy or medical treatment.
Verdict
Our verdict on Access Bars for trauma
not-supported
Access Bars is not an evidence-based treatment for trauma or PTSD. The claims that it releases stored trauma are not supported by science. Trauma requires professional, evidence-based therapy.
What we know
- Access Bars is a gentle touch practice.
- Some people find it relaxing.
- Trauma is a serious condition requiring professional treatment.
What we do not know
- Whether Access Bars has any effect on trauma.
- Whether it is safe for trauma survivors without professional support.
If you have trauma, seek help from a qualified therapist. Access Bars is not a substitute.
Bottom line
Trauma requires real treatment, not relaxation
Access Bars might feel nice, but it is not trauma therapy. If you have trauma, your health and healing deserve evidence-based professional care.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Can Access Bars cure trauma?
No. There is no evidence that Access Bars treats trauma.
Is Access Bars a trauma therapy?
No. Trauma requires professional, evidence-based therapy.
Should I do Access Bars for trauma?
Only if you are already in professional therapy and your therapist is aware.
Is Access Bars safe for trauma survivors?
It may be, but only as a complementary relaxation practice, never as a replacement for therapy.
Sources
Access Consciousness. Access Consciousness Official Website - About Access Bars. Access Consciousness, REPLACE_IF_AVAILABLE. Accessed 2026-07-17
Use to establish official claims about Access Bars and trauma.
+964. 964media - Access Bars for Trauma in Iraq [citation:1]. +964, 2024-03-07. Accessed 2026-07-17
Use for a practitioner's claims about Access Bars and trauma.
Pikiran Rakyat. Pikiran Rakyat - Access Bars for Trauma [citation:7]. Pikiran Rakyat, 2021-02-17. Accessed 2026-07-17
Use for information about Access Bars and trauma release.
REPLACE WITH AUTHOR IF AVAILABLE. REPLACE WITH VERIFIED PTSD TREATMENT GUIDANCE. REPLACE WITH PUBLISHER, REPLACE_IF_AVAILABLE. Accessed 2026-07-17
Use for evidence-based information on PTSD treatment.
