How Trauma Shows Up in the Body

Trauma isn’t just something that happens to us, it’s something that lives in our bodies. When we experience overwhelming stress or fear, our nervous system stores those responses. This is why trauma survivors often experience physical symptoms long after the event is over.

Even if your trauma wasn’t from a single event, chronic or complex trauma such as growing up in a chaotic home, facing emotional neglect, or enduring long-term abuse can lead to a body that stays in a constant state of alert.

Signs trauma might be showing up in your body:

• Chronic tension or pain (especially in the neck, shoulders, or stomach)

• Trouble sleeping or staying asleep

• Hypervigilance (always feeling on edge or unsafe)

• Digestive issues or a "nervous stomach"

• Startle responses, tight chest, or racing heart

• Difficulty relaxing or "shutting off"

These are not just "in your head." They are real, physiological signs that your body remembers what it went through.

Healing trauma involves not just talking about what happened, but also helping the body feel safe again. Approaches like EMDR, somatic therapy, and nervous system regulation can support this deep, embodied healing. In therapy, we can work together to understand your body’s responses, build tools for regulation, and create safety from the inside out.