Incomplete defense

An incomplete defense is a protective movement that began in a moment of danger but could not be completed. When the body mobilizes to resist a threat or to flee, if this movement is left half-done, the related energy can be held in the body. According to the somatic approach, these incomplete movements can remain in the body as a tension. This concept explains why some stress responses can continue in the body even after the event. A defense left half-done can leave its trace in the body.