The Body Remembers the Trauma
Blog Series Part 2 - Life After Domestic Violence
This is likely the most crucial lesson to grasp: the body retains memories of yelling, pushing, and name-calling. These experiences are stored in a way that is invisible to the eye, deep within the body where the damage has taken place. When trauma becomes trapped in the body, it leads to significant consequences. My own experience it wreaked havoc on my nervous system, rewiring my brain and leading to medical conditions along with heightened symptoms. I found myself trapped in survival mode, overwhelmed by the noise of the world around me. Additionally, I struggle with PTSD, dissociation, and depression, and I have had to navigate various triggers.Yet, this understanding also opened the door to healing. Recognizing the body's role in storing trauma allowed me to take steps toward recovery, focusing on gentle and compassionate ways to release these stored memories. This journey involved not only traditional therapies but also exploring holistic approaches that address the mind-body connection.
The common areas where trauma often stores itself in the body.
Trauma is both emotional and physical it can live in our tissues, nervous system, and muscles long after the event.
Neck & Shoulders – tension, stiffness, the “weight of the world” feeling.
Chest & Lungs – tightness, shallow breathing, difficulty taking full breaths (grief, fear).
Heart Area – heaviness, heart palpitations, a sense of emotional numbness or constriction.
Stomach & Gut – nausea, digestive issues, “gut feelings” of anxiety or fear.
Lower Back – heaviness, aching; often linked to feeling unsupported or unsafe.
Hips & Pelvis – stuck or frozen trauma, especially from abuse; hip tension is very common.
Legs & Feet – restlessness, feeling unable to “move forward” or feeling unsafe to stand strong.
Hands & Arms – trembling, numbness, linked to fight-or-flight responses (fight, reach, defend).
Jaw & Face – clenching, teeth grinding, holding back words or unexpressed pain.
Head – headaches, pressure, racing thoughts from overactive survival responses.
Nervous System (whole body) – hypervigilance, jumpiness, startle reflex, chronic fatigue.
You might notice your own body “speaks” in certain ways—chronic tension, recurring pain, or unexplained tightness are often signs of stored trauma energy.
Practices like yoga, meditation, and breathwork became integral in calming my nervous system, offering moments of peace amidst the chaos. These practices helped ground me, providing a safe space to reconnect with my body and emotions. They taught me to listen to the whispers of my body, to acknowledge the pain, and to gently guide it toward healing.
Engaging in somatic therapies and working with practitioners who understood the intricacies of trauma in the body was transformative. It allowed me to release pent-up emotions and gradually rebuild a sense of safety and trust within myself.
As I continue on this path, I am learning to honor my body's resilience and strength. Each step forward, no matter how small, is a victory. The body, once a battlefield, is now becoming a sanctuary—a place where healing is not only possible but is happening every day.
There will be setbacks and challenges, but with each breath, there is the potential for growth and transformation. By embracing the journey with patience and compassion, we can find our way back to ourselves, reclaim our power, and live with renewed hope and joy.