Why Your Body Remembers Trauma

 And How to Heal From It

Have you ever felt pain, tension, or exhaustion in your body that just won’t go away, no matter how many times you stretch, rest, use medication, or visit the doctor? What you are feeling is not just in your head; sometimes, these pains are a result of trauma experienced in the past. They often show up as body pain and other health-related problems later in life. This is one of the reasons why I always tell my clients that their mental health is just as important as their physical health.

The body remembers trauma

Even if your mind has tried to forget, your body often holds onto what it couldn’t safely process at the time. This can affect everything from your muscles and digestion to your immune system and emotions.

Let’s take the story of Amara (name changed for privacy), a 34-year-old woman who survived childhood abuse. Amara grew up in a household where there was constant physical and verbal abuse. Hardly a day passed without her being beaten and flogged by her parents. To them, they were discipling her and instilling good morals in her. But the physical toll on Amara was a lot. When Amara left home to go to university, things changed. She no longer had to endure long hours of house chores, the unnecessary insults, and sudden backhand slaps over every little mistake. 

Years passed, and she even began to forget about her painful childhood, but even though her mind was beginning to forget, her body didn’t; there were days of constant migraines, tightness in her shoulders, and a stomachache that doctors couldn’t fully explain. Several tests, which all came back normal, were done, and she even started to feel crazy due to the unexplained illness. Her friends began to suggest visiting prophets and prayer houses for healing.

After several hours of research and finding people with the same symptoms online, Amara was able to narrow down the cause of her body pains. Having a session with a therapist confirmed the cause of her pain. In her words, “It was like my body was speaking the pain I had never had the chance to say out loud.”

In the ned, Amara chose therapy to tackle the unresolved trauma from the past. She is doing a lot better today.

How Trauma Gets Stored in the Body

To many people, it might seem far-fetched that something that affected their mental health could later show up in their physical body. When we experience trauma, whether it’s a car accident, heartbreak, violence, or even ongoing stress, the body activates its survival instincts: fight, flight, freeze, or fawn.

In the moment, this helps keep us safe. But if we never get to release those responses (especially if we were too young or unsupported to do so), they get stuck. That stuck energy can become chronic tension, pain, or fatigue.

Here are some common ways trauma shows up in the body:

1. Muscle Tension or Pain

You might carry stress in your neck, shoulders, back, or jaw, even when you're not actively stressed. The body holds onto “bracing” patterns, like you’re waiting for something bad to happen.

2. Digestive Issues

Have you ever had a “nervous stomach”? Trauma often affects the gut because the digestive system is directly connected to the brain through the vagus nerve. This can cause nausea, bloating, IBS, or a general sense of unease.

3. Exhaustion and Fatigue

Survivors of trauma often report feeling tired all the time, even after rest. This is because the nervous system is working overtime trying to protect you, long after the danger has passed.

4. Sleep Disruptions

Trauma can cause insomnia, nightmares, or restless sleep. The body remains on high alert, making it hard to truly relax.

5. Somatic Flashbacks

Sometimes your body “remembers” something your brain has blocked out. This can look like sudden panic, numbness, or pain, with no clear reason why.

6. Posture and Body Language

Without realizing it, trauma can change the way you carry yourself. You might hunch your shoulders, avoid eye contact, or constantly fold your arms. It’s your body’s way of staying guarded.

7. Weakened Immune System

Long-term trauma can suppress immunity, making you more vulnerable to illness, inflammation, or autoimmune conditions, which can explain why you feel sick all the time.

If you're dealing with unexplained pain, low energy, or emotional ups and downs, it’s not because you're weak or broken. It may be your body asking for help.

So, How Do You Start Healing Trauma Stored in the Body?

1. Work With a Trauma-Informed Therapist

This is a safe and essential first step. A professional can help you gently process what you’ve been carrying, emotionally and physically. Connect with a certified therapist like JMore Counseling and Consulting. We specialize in trauma, anxiety, relationships, and more.

2. Try Somatic Therapies

Somatic therapy focuses on releasing trauma through body awareness, breath, and movement. Some types include:

Somatic Experiencing

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

• Yoga or dance therapy

• Breathwork

Even simple practices like deep belly breathing or mindful stretching can help reset your nervous system.

3. Track Your Body’s Signals

Start noticing patterns

• Where do you feel the tightness?

• When does pain show up?

• What happens in your body when you’re stressed or triggered?

This builds awareness, and over time, awareness creates room for healing.

4. Be Gentle With Yourself

Trauma recovery is not a race. It’s okay to have good days and hard days. What matters most is that you’re showing up for yourself, in your own time.

5. Build a Support System

Whether it’s a friend, a therapist, or a support group, you don’t have to do this alone. The weight is easier to carry when someone is helping hold it with you.

In this article, we have established that the body stores what the mind can’t process. But that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to live in pain or fear forever. Every time you choose to listen to your body with kindness, you take a step toward healing.

You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to start.

Get matched with a licensed therapist and/or learn more about body-based healing techniques at The JMore Counseling and Consulting.