Introduction

When we talk about trauma, we often think of emotional pain—memories that won’t fade, fear that lingers, or anxiety that comes out of nowhere. But trauma doesn’t just live in the mind. It takes up space in the body, too. Unprocessed trauma can cause physical symptoms that may seem unrelated at first glance—chronic pain, fatigue, or even digestive problems.

In this article, we’ll explore how trauma becomes "stuck" in the body, the science behind it, and how recognizing these physical signs can be a key step in healing.

What Is Unprocessed Trauma?

Trauma is the emotional response to a deeply distressing event—this could be anything from abuse, neglect, violence, or a serious accident, to the loss of a loved one. While many people process trauma naturally over time, others may carry it with them for years—sometimes without even realizing it.

Unprocessed trauma happens when the brain and body don’t fully integrate or resolve the traumatic experience. Instead, the trauma gets stored in the nervous system, affecting how a person feels, reacts, and even how their body functions.

The Science: How the Body Stores Trauma

To understand how trauma affects the body, it helps to know what happens in the brain during a traumatic event.

Fight, Flight, or Freeze

When something traumatic happens, the body’s fight-or-flight system kicks in. The brain releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, preparing the body to respond to danger. Breathing quickens, the heart races, and muscles tense.

If the person isn’t able to fully process the trauma or feels trapped (mentally or physically), the experience can get "stuck" in the nervous system. The body continues to react as if the threat is still present—even years later.

According to trauma expert Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score, the body remembers what the mind tries to forget. "Trauma is not the story of something that happened back then," he writes. "It’s the current imprint of that pain, horror, and fear living inside people." 

Physical Symptoms of Unprocessed Trauma

Here are some of the most common ways trauma can show up physically:

1. Chronic Muscle Tension and Pain

When the body is stuck in survival mode, muscles may remain tight long after the event has passed. This can lead to:

- Back or neck pain

- Headaches or migraines

- Jaw clenching or TMJ

- General body aches 

People with trauma histories are also more likely to develop conditions like fibromyalgia, which causes widespread pain with no clear medical explanation.

2. Digestive Issues

The gut is often called the “second brain” because of how closely it’s connected to our emotional state. Trauma can disrupt the gut-brain connection, leading to symptoms like:

- Nausea

- Bloating

- Constipation or diarrhea

- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) 

A 2020 study published in Neurogastroenterology & Motility found that individuals with PTSD were significantly more likely to experience gastrointestinal distress.

3. Fatigue and Sleep Disruption

Living in a constant state of stress can exhaust the body. Many trauma survivors report:

- Trouble falling or staying asleep

- Nightmares or vivid dreams

- Daytime fatigue or burnout

Even when there’s no immediate stressor, the nervous system stays on high alert, making true rest difficult.

### 4. **Breathing and Heart Symptoms**

Anxiety and trauma can affect breathing and heart rate. People might experience:

- Shortness of breath

- Rapid heartbeat

- Chest tightness

- Dizziness

 These symptoms are often mistaken for physical illness, when they may actually stem from unresolved emotional stress.

5. Sensory Sensitivity and Startle Responses

Many people with unprocessed trauma become more sensitive to sound, light, or touch. Loud noises might trigger a startle response. Crowded rooms can feel overwhelming. These are signs that the body still sees the world as unsafe.

Why Recognizing These Signs Matters

These physical symptoms are real—and they’re often misdiagnosed or misunderstood. Many people go from doctor to doctor, trying to treat pain or fatigue, without anyone asking about their trauma history.

Recognizing that the body holds trauma can help shift the focus from just symptom management to deeper healing. It can also validate what survivors feel: that their pain isn’t imaginary—it’s a reflection of their past and how it still lives in their body.

How to Begin Healing the Body

Healing from trauma doesn’t only happen in the mind. The body needs care and attention, too. Here are some gentle, evidence-based practices that can help:

1. Somatic Therapy

Somatic therapies focus on how trauma is stored in the body. Techniques include movement, breathwork, and body awareness to help release tension and restore a sense of safety.

2. Trauma-Informed Yoga

Yoga that is sensitive to trauma emphasizes grounding, gentle movement, and choice. It helps reconnect people with their bodies in a safe and empowering way.

A 2014 study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that yoga significantly reduced PTSD symptoms, especially in those who didn’t respond well to traditional therapy.

3. Mindfulness and Breathwork

Mindfulness helps people become aware of body sensations without judgment. Breathwork can calm the nervous system and help regulate the fight-or-flight response.

4. EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma therapy that helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories and reduce the emotional and physical charge they carry.

Conclusion

Unprocessed trauma doesn’t just haunt the mind—it shapes how the body feels, functions, and moves through the world. But the body, just like the mind, can heal. With compassion, support, and the right tools, it’s possible to release trauma and rediscover a sense of peace and safety within yourself.

You are not broken. Your body has simply been trying to protect you. And healing begins the moment we start listening to what it’s been trying to say.

References:

- van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score. Penguin Books. 

- Neurogastroenterology & Motility (2020). PTSD and Gut Health: A Review. 

- Journal of Clinical Psychiatry (2014). Yoga as an Adjunctive Treatment for PTSD.