This question is incredibly important to understand how past trauma impacts our bodies physically. The brain body connection in relation to trauma has been an area of research and discussion for many years now. A pivotal work in this area is Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk’s 2014 book, The Body Keeps the Score. This book helped many to see how our bodies store trauma, physical ways trauma manifests, and guidance on how therapy interventions can be holistic in treating trauma. As a trauma therapist, I often encounter clients who are puzzled by the physical symptoms and sensations that are present after their trauma has passed. We will explore a few key points from Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk’s work on how trauma is stored in the body and how somatic trauma therapies and interventions like EMDR provide holistic healing for both the brain and the body.
When a person experiences trauma, the body’s natural response is to activate the fight, flight, or freeze mechanism. This response is controlled by the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which prepares the body to deal with a perceived threat. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) triggers the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which increase heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension. These physiological changes are crucial for survival in dangerous situations.
However, when the trauma is overwhelming or chronic the body can remain in a state of heightened arousal even after the immediate danger has passed. This prolonged state can cause the body to “store” the trauma leading to various physical and emotional symptoms.
In The Body Keeps the Score, they introduce the idea of “body memory” where traumatic experiences leave lasting imprints on a person’s physical sensations, posture, and health. This can manifest as chronic pain, muscle tension, or other unexplained physical symptoms. In 1998, Centers for Disease Control and Kaiser Permanente had pivotal study of childhood trauma and connection to health through the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) study. This study looked at individuals’ experiences of childhood trauma related to abuse, neglect, and household challenges and health outcomes. Significant findings of increased likelihood for diseases like diabetes, stroke, heart disease, lower respiratory disease, depression, and substance use were found for individuals who scored four or more on this screening tool.
Advances in neuroscience have brought more understanding of how trauma impacts the brain. Brain imaging studies show that trauma survivors have measurable changes in their brain function and structure.
Although these impacts are significant, it helps us to understand what therapy models and treatments can best treat trauma symptoms. Dr. Van Der Kolk emphasizes that traditional talk therapy alone is often not enough to heal trauma. Effective treatment needs to include body-based approaches like yoga, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Somatic Experiencing, and neurofeedback. These approaches help the body release stored trauma and restore a sense of safety and control. These evidenced based practices have been heavily researched and shown to be effective. Healing is possible and is happening through these approaches and other supports. Please reach out to Avance Care Behavioral Health if you are interested in being connected to a trauma therapist.
