How Your Body Stores Trauma (And How to Release It)

The Body Keeps the Score

Science has confirmed what ancient healing traditions have known for centuries: trauma is not just stored in our minds - it lives in our bodies, our nervous systems, and our cellular memory.

Understanding Trauma Storage

When we experience overwhelming events, our nervous system activates a survival response: fight, flight, or freeze. If the energy from these responses isn't fully discharged, it becomes trapped in the body.

This shows up as:

• Chronic muscle tension and pain
• Digestive issues and inflammation
• Difficulty breathing deeply
• Unexplained anxiety or panic
• Feeling numb or disconnected
• Hypervigilance and overwhelm

The Science Behind It

Research by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk and Dr. Peter Levine shows that trauma creates lasting changes in the nervous system. The body remains in a state of alert, even when the danger has passed.

The fascia (connective tissue) also holds tension and trauma. This is why you might feel emotional release during massage or bodywork - you're literally releasing stored experience from your tissues.

How to Release Stored Trauma

1. Somatic Awareness
Begin by noticing sensations in your body without judgment. Where do you feel tension? What happens when you breathe into that area?

2. Breathwork
Conscious breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system and creates space for release. Deep, connected breathing signals safety to your body.

3. Movement and Shaking
Animals naturally shake after stressful events to discharge energy. Allowing your body to tremor or move releases stuck activation.

4. Somatic Healing Sessions
Working with a trained practitioner provides a safe container for deeper release. Through breathwork, gentle touch, and energy work, we can access and release what's been held for years.

The Path Forward

Healing trauma from the body is not a single event - it's a journey. Each layer released creates more space for aliveness, presence, and authenticity.

Your body has been carrying this burden. It's time to set it down.