Trauma, no matter the source or severity, leaves a lasting impact on our minds and bodies.
While you may be familiar with the mental distress that can develop after a traumatic experience, you might be surprised to find that the effects of trauma extend beyond the emotional and psychological, presenting as physical symptoms.
In this blog, I’ll delve deeper into what trauma is, how it can manifest physically, and the steps you can take to heal holistically.
What is trauma?
The American Psychological Association defines trauma as “an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, crime, natural disaster, physical or emotional abuse, neglect, experiencing or witnessing violence, death of a loved one, war, and more.
It’s important to note that trauma isn’t only what happens to you, but it’s also what doesn’t happen to you – especially when you’re young. Things like having an emotionally neglectful parent, missed opportunities in childhood, or a lack of support as a child, can all leave trauma wounds.
No two incidents of trauma are the same. And no two people will react to a traumatic event in exactly the same way.
Without appropriate treatment, trauma can stay in our minds and bodies for weeks, months, years – or even for the rest of our lives – impacting our physical and mental health, our relationships, and our careers.
What are the different types of trauma?
There are 3 types of trauma that a person can experience:
- Acute
- Chronic
- Complex
Acute trauma
Acute trauma is considered a short-lived response to a perceived immediate threat like the unexpected loss of a loved one, physical assault, or experiencing a sudden illness.
Acute trauma can develop into chronic trauma if the threat doesn’t subside.
Chronic trauma
Chronic trauma can develop from a single traumatic incident or from multiple stressors compounding over time.
Causes of chronic trauma can include repeated abuse in relationships, exposure to war, or homelessness. The terms ‘chronic trauma’ and ‘complex trauma’ are sometimes used interchangeably, as they share many of the same characteristics.
Complex trauma
Complex trauma can result from prolonged and severe stressors. It’s most commonly associated with childhood trauma, often caused by a parent or caregiver, but it can develop at any stage of life.
Domestic violence, childhood neglect, or repeated abuse can all lead to complex trauma.
How does trauma affect the body?
You may be reading this knowing that you have experienced trauma in your life but are unsure of how it could be connected to your physical health problems.
Trauma is often solely viewed as a mental health condition. However, it can bring a whole host of physical symptoms with it.
When we experience a traumatic event, our body releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones can lead to physical reactions like heightened heart rate and sweating. If the traumatic situation persists, other physical symptoms can develop over time.
Recognizing the physical symptoms of trauma
Evidence shows that our mind and body are deeply intertwined. In fact, the mind-body connection is built into the structure of the human brain; therefore, we can’t treat them as two separate entities.
Knowing this, it’s no wonder that our emotional and psychological experiences can manifest physically. Many people who are carrying trauma can feel symptoms like:
- Nausea
- Trembling
- Sweating
- Insomnia
- Chronic pain
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Digestive issues
Some people may experience one or two symptoms. Others may develop more severe health disorders as a result of their traumatic stress.
Trauma-related disorders
Unaddressed trauma is the hidden cause of most preventable illnesses, according to research.
Conditions that may be caused or worsened by unaddressed trauma include chronic pain, heart disease, and gastrointestinal disorders.
Trauma and chronic pain
Living with chronic pain can be traumatizing in itself. A growing number of studies have shown that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms tend to be elevated in patients with chronic pain conditions.
Our stress response to danger can also contribute to chronic pain by causing inflammation and muscle tension. Additionally, trauma affects the central nervous system, making the body more sensitive to pain.
Trauma and heart disease
Those with untreated PTSD are at higher risk for developing cardiovascular conditions like high blood pressure, heart attack, or stroke.
Also, it’s common for those who are dealing with trauma to cope in unhealthy ways like smoking, eating poorly, or excessive alcohol consumption – all of which can contribute to heart disease.
Trauma and gastrointestinal issues
Our gut and our brains are more closely linked than you might realize. The gut-brain axis is actually a two-way connection between our gastrointestinal tract and our central nervous system.
Cortisol and adrenaline, the stress hormones released to respond to trauma, can slow down or speed up the movement of food through the digestive tract, leading to constipation or diarrhea.
Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders associated with trauma. According to a review of studies from 2018, people who live with PTSD are 2.8 times more likely to have IBS compared to people without PTSD.
If you recognize yourself in these symptoms or conditions, know that there is hope and healing is possible.
How you can begin to heal your body from trauma
There are many types of therapy available to help you recover from trauma. Talk therapy, art therapy, hypnotherapy, and group therapy are just some of the methods used to work through complex emotional issues.
But sometimes, traditional therapies like these don’t treat trauma holistically. Maybe you’ve tried some of these yourself and are unsatisfied with your healing progress so far.
Holistic trauma-informed care recognizes the signs, symptoms, and risks of trauma, taking all aspects and effects into account to help you heal more fully.
Holistic trauma healing
Alternative treatments for trauma and trauma-induced physical symptoms can include:
- Meditation
- Aromatherapy
- Breathwork
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Reiki
These forms of therapy can be hugely beneficial, especially if you feel that traditional talk therapy hasn’t worked for you. While other therapies may focus only on the mental health impacts of trauma, treatments like these can help reconnect your mind, body, and spirit.
If you find yourself dealing with chronic pain, insomnia, or other challenging physical symptoms, consider looking into alternative therapies.
In my practice, I prioritize your needs and create a personalized healing session tailored to you.
If you’re experiencing physical discomfort and want to try holistic trauma healing, massage therapy can deliver powerful results. Trauma can cause a detachment from the body, and massage can help restore that connection through grounding techniques and physical touch in a safe and controlled environment.
By bringing the awareness back to the present, the physical sensation of massage can sometimes result in an emotional release. Releasing these stored emotions can be a powerful healing moment – physically and mentally – bringing immense relief to those suffering after trauma, or struggling with post-traumatic stress disorders.
Consider adding a 15-minute Reiki session to the end of your massage for a unique experience. Reiki is a Japanese healing practice rooted in Buddhist teachings from thousands of years ago. It involves energy work that can help with deep relaxation, emotional and physical healing, and overall well-being.
Book your healing session now and start nurturing your mind, body, and spirit today.
