The Body Keeps A Score

"The Body Keeps the Score" is not just a phrase but a very true and real insight into how trauma and stress manifest within our physical selves.

This concept, popularised by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk in his groundbreaking book of the same name, underscores the intricate and often overlooked relationship between our psychological experiences and our physical health.

The premise is simple yet revolutionary: the body remembers what the mind might try to forget.

This recognition has profound implications for understanding and treating trauma, as well as for our broader understanding of health and wellness.

The Physiology of Trauma

When we experience trauma or intense stress, our bodies respond in ways designed to protect us.

This can include the activation of the fight-or-flight response, a primal reaction that prepares us to either confront or flee from danger.

While this response is invaluable in acute situations, its prolonged activation can have lasting effects on our bodies.

Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline can wreak havoc when they're continuously in the bloodstream, affecting everything from our heart rate to our immune system.

Over time, the physical impact of trauma can manifest in myriad ways: chronic pain, autoimmune diseases, heart problems, and more.

These are not merely coincidental or unrelated ailments but can be direct physiological sequels of unaddressed trauma.

This understanding challenges the traditional dichotomy between mental and physical health, highlighting the unity of our experiences and their effects on our well-being.

Listening to the Body

One of the key messages of "The Body Keeps the Score" is the importance of listening to our bodies.

Our physical selves communicate with us constantly, but we're not always taught how to interpret these messages.

Symptoms like chronic pain, tension, and gastrointestinal issues can be the body's way of signaling unresolved trauma.

Similarly, patterns of over or underreacting to physical stimuli can be rooted in past experiences that have left a mark on our nervous systems.

Recognising them as signs means a shift in perspective, instead of seeing these symptoms as nuisances we need to notice and understand them as meaningful signals that need to be addressed.

Healing Trauma Through the Body

The path to healing is as much about re-establishing a connection with the body as it is about processing psychological trauma.

Techniques like somatic trauma-informed yoga, mindfulness meditation and so on are not just adjunct therapies but central to addressing the somatic aspects of trauma.

These practices help people become more attuned to their bodily sensations, learning to interpret and respond to them in healthy ways.

Furthermore, these approaches often involve us learning to regulate the nervous system, moving away from states of hyperarousal or dissociation towards a state of balance. This process can empower us, giving us back a sense of control over our bodies and our experiences.

Beyond Individual Healing

Understanding that the body keeps the score has implications beyond individual therapy. It calls for a societal shift in how we approach trauma and stress, recognizing the importance of preventive measures to mitigate the impact of trauma on public health.

This includes creating supportive environments that reduce the occurrence of traumatic experiences, such as violence, neglect, and abuse, and promoting practices that help individuals manage stress and build resilience.

There is a deep interconnection between mind and body, and we really need to pay attention to this relationship in our journey towards healing.

By acknowledging and addressing the somatic manifestations of trauma, we can open new pathways to recovery that are holistic and transformative.

This approach not only changes the lives of those affected by trauma but also enriches our understanding of health and healing overall.

Want to start your healing journey today? Lets talk.

Frequently Asked Questions: Understanding how trauma affects the body

1. What does "The Body Keeps the Score" mean?
This phrase emphasises the relationship between psychological trauma and physical health. Popularised by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, it illustrates how trauma and stress are stored in the body and can manifest as physical symptoms.

2. How does trauma affect the body physically?
When experiencing trauma, the body activates the fight-or-flight response, releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Prolonged exposure to these hormones can lead to chronic pain, autoimmune disorders, heart issues, and other health conditions.

3. How do symptoms like pain or tension relate to trauma?
Chronic pain, tension, gastrointestinal issues, and other symptoms can be signals of unresolved trauma. Our bodies communicate through these physical cues, which are sometimes overlooked but often hold key insights into past traumatic experiences.

4. What role does the nervous system play in trauma?
Trauma can dysregulate the nervous system, causing hyperarousal (overreactivity) or dissociation (numbness). Healing involves learning to regulate these responses and returning to a state of balance.

5. What are somatic practices, and how do they help with trauma?
Somatic practices include yoga, mindfulness meditation, and other body-centred approaches that encourage awareness of bodily sensations. These techniques help us reconnect with our bodies and respond to sensations healthily, facilitating trauma healing.

6. How does healing through the body differ from traditional therapy?
Traditional therapy often focuses on talk-based approaches, while somatic therapies address the physical aspects of trauma. Healing through the body allows individuals to process trauma by re-establishing a connection between mind and body.

7. Why is it essential to listen to our bodies in trauma healing?
Our bodies can signal unresolved trauma through physical symptoms. By listening and interpreting these cues, we can understand our needs better and develop a more comprehensive healing strategy.

8. What societal changes can help address trauma's impact on health?
Creating environments that prevent trauma (like reducing violence, neglect, or abuse) and promoting resilience-building practices can significantly reduce the impact of trauma on public health.

9. How can I start my journey to healing trauma?
Reach out directly to explore somatic practices, therapy options, and other holistic approaches that can help you process trauma and reconnect with your body. Together, we can create a path toward balanced healing.