Understanding How Trauma Gets Stuck in the Body and How to Heal It
Have you ever wondered why certain patterns keep repeating in your life? Or why it feels like the past is constantly influencing your present, no matter how hard you try to move on? Trauma has a way of embedding itself deeply within us, and the body often holds onto these experiences in ways that we don’t consciously realize.
How Does the Body Remember Trauma?
When we experience something traumatic, especially at a young age, our body goes into a survival mode. This might mean fight, flight, or freeze responses—each of which involves a flood of stress hormones and physical sensations. However, when the event is too overwhelming, the body might not be able to fully process what’s happening. Instead, it holds onto those sensations, locking them away in a kind of “freeze frame” within our physiology.
These unprocessed experiences don’t just fade away. They stay with us, often resurfacing later in life when we encounter situations that remind our body of the original trauma. This is why you might find yourself suddenly anxious or overwhelmed in certain situations that seem unrelated to your past.
Why Do These Memories Keep Cycling Around?
The reason these patterns keep repeating is that the trauma was never fully processed. The body is trying to resolve what happened, but it can’t do this without the proper support. Instead, we might disconnect from those uncomfortable sensations, creating a disconnect between the mind and body. This disconnect is what allows trauma to linger, influencing our emotions, decisions, and overall well-being.
The Somatic Approach to Healing
Healing through the body, or somatic therapy, involves gently revisiting these unprocessed sensations in a safe and controlled environment. This doesn’t mean re-experiencing the trauma in a way that is overwhelming; rather, it’s about gradually reconnecting with the body and allowing it to complete the processing that was interrupted.
By doing this, we can help the body understand that the trauma is no longer happening. We can teach it to recognize safety in the present moment, which allows the trapped sensations to be released. This process can lead to profound changes, not just in how we feel but in how we interact with the world around us.
Moving Forward
If you’ve been feeling stuck, if certain patterns keep repeating, or if you just feel disconnected from yourself, it might be time to consider somatic therapy. This approach can help you access and release the physical remnants of trauma, allowing you to finally move forward with a sense of freedom and peace.
Remember, healing is not just about talking through the past—it’s about allowing your body to truly let go. If you’re ready to explore this path, reach out today for a consultation. Together, we can work towards unlocking the stuck places and stepping into a future that’s no longer dictated by the past.
