10/07/2025
Traumatic memories are not solely confined to the brain but are stored throughout the body, influencing tissues and organs, with significant health impacts, as supported by research.
The concept of "body memory" suggests that trauma can manifest physically, as the nervous system and body retain imprints of distressing experiences. When a traumatic event occurs, the body’s stress response, involving the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, releases cortisol and adrenaline, which can alter cellular function and imprint stress responses in tissues.
This is often seen in conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), where physical symptoms such as chronic pain, fibromyalgia, or gastrointestinal issues emerge without clear medical causes.
Studies, including those by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, highlight how trauma disrupts the autonomic nervous system, leading to heightened arousal or dissociation that affects organs and muscles.
For instance, tension in muscles or inflammation in tissues may reflect stored trauma. The vagus nerve plays a key role in this mind-body connection, linking emotional states to physical health.
Therapies like somatic experiencing and yoga aim to release these stored memories by addressing bodily sensations, promoting healing. Thus, trauma’s impact on the body underscores the need for holistic treatment approaches.
