By The Miracle Wellness Center, Baton Rouge, LA
Trauma doesn’t just live in our memories—it can also live in our muscles, hormones, and cells.
When something deeply distressing happens, the body responds immediately to keep us safe. That reaction may fade once the danger passes, but for many people, the body stays stuck in “survival mode.”
The phrase “the body keeps score” means that even if we can’t remember or put words to what happened, our body often remembers through tension, pain, fatigue, or chronic health issues.
Research shows that trauma can shape the brain, disrupt hormones, and change immune function in ways that lead to real, measurable symptoms throughout the body.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace personalized medical guidance. This article may contain affiliate links, and we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Understanding Trauma and the Body
Trauma can come from a single overwhelming event—such as an accident or physical abuse—or from long-term stress like childhood neglect, chronic illness, or living in an unsafe environment.
In each case, the body activates the same survival response: fight, flight, or freeze.
Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline flood the system, heart rate and blood pressure rise, and muscles tighten.
If this state becomes chronic, the body begins to adapt to high alert as the new “normal.”
This long-term wear and tear is known as allostatic load, and it can affect every major system—cardiovascular, digestive, immune, and endocrine.
How Trauma Can Show Up Physically
Trauma can manifest in many ways throughout the body.
Chronic Pain and Muscle Tension
Many people with trauma histories experience persistent pain—especially in the neck, back, jaw, and shoulders.
The body unconsciously braces itself as if danger is always pending. Over time, this protective tension can become constant, leading to chronic pain and fatigue.
Research suggests trauma can even heighten the nervous system’s sensitivity to pain.
Recommended reading resources:
- The Biology of Trauma by Aimie Apigian
- When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress by Gabor Maté
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Effects
People who have experienced trauma or post-traumatic stress often have higher rates of high blood pressure, heart disease, and metabolic issues such as diabetes or high cholesterol.
Chronic stress changes the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar, fat storage, and inflammation—making the heart and metabolism more vulnerable over time.
Digestive and Gut Health
It’s no surprise that stress affects digestion.
Trauma can disrupt the gut-brain connection, leading to bloating, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or even stomach ulcers.
The gut is home to millions of nerve cells that communicate with the brain, and when that system is out of balance, the entire digestive process can be affected.
Immune and Inflammatory Conditions
Chronic stress and unresolved trauma can drive inflammation throughout the body.
Over time, this low-grade inflammation has been linked to autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
It’s one reason why people under constant stress may feel more run-down or take longer to recover from illness.
Sleep, Energy, and Neurological Symptoms
Sleep problems are one of the most common physical effects of trauma.
Many people struggle with insomnia, vivid dreams, or feeling exhausted even after a full night’s sleep.
The brain’s alarm system becomes overly alert, and true rest can feel unsafe.
Over time, this can lead to fatigue, brain fog, and concentration issues.
Research also shows changes in brain regions like the amygdala and hippocampus, which help regulate fear and memory.
Hormonal and Reproductive Changes
The body’s stress and reproductive hormones are closely connected.
Trauma can interfere with the normal rhythm of cortisol, estrogen, and progesterone, which may cause menstrual changes, fertility challenges, or low libido.
These disruptions are often overlooked in routine medical care but can play a major role in symptoms that seem “unexplained.”
Why Trauma Stays in the Body
The body’s memory of trauma isn’t imaginary—it’s biological.
When the stress response doesn’t turn off, the nervous system stays dysregulated, the endocrine system misfires, and the immune system struggles to keep balance.
This state can lead to chronic tension, pain, and exhaustion—even when life looks “fine” on the outside.
Behavior also plays a role. When someone is coping with trauma, they may experience sleep disruption, emotional eating, or isolation, all of which can reinforce the body’s stress patterns.
Healing often requires calming both the mind and the body through gentle, consistent practices that rebuild a sense of safety.
Healing from the Inside Out
The good news is that the body can heal—and that healing often starts with awareness.
Trauma-informed care recognizes the connection between mental and physical health. When providers understand this link, they can create safer, more effective treatments that address the whole person—not just the symptoms.
Therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), EMDR, and somatic experiencing have been shown to reduce both psychological and physical symptoms of trauma.
Gentle body-based practices like yoga, breathwork, massage, and tai chi can help release stored tension and retrain the nervous system to feel safe again.
Lifestyle support matters too—adequate sleep, nourishing meals, mindful movement, and community connection all help the body recalibrate after years of stress.
Here’s a tool that is a favorite of ours and may help you as well: Apollo. (Use coupon code: TMWC)
Why Awareness Matters in Our Communities
Here in Louisiana and beyond, understanding how trauma affects physical health can change lives.
Many people live with chronic pain, digestive issues, or fatigue without realizing that past emotional wounds may be part of the story.
By normalizing this conversation, we can reduce shame, improve healthcare access, and encourage trauma-informed practices in schools, clinics, and families.
When we start to view the body’s symptoms as messages—not malfunctions—we create space for true healing.
A Heartfelt Call to Heal — from The Miracle Wellness Center
At The Miracle Wellness Center, we believe healing begins with understanding how your body speaks to you.
Our approach combines functional medicine, nutrition, and integrative wellness to help you reconnect with your body’s natural rhythms and release the effects of stored trauma.
If you’ve been living with chronic fatigue, digestive discomfort, hormone imbalance, or stress-related symptoms, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to navigate it without support.
Schedule a consultation today to begin your personalized path toward balance and wholeness.
Let’s help your body stop keeping score—and start healing.
Contact Information:
- 📞 Call Today: (225) 277-2488
- 🗓 Or click here to Book an Appointment Online
- 🌿 Jump start your wellness journey today! Click here to learn more
A Note of Intention
This space is meant to educate, not to diagnose.
The words shared here are offered as learning, reflection, and curiosity—never as a substitute for personalized medical care.
Every body carries its own story, its own history, its own rhythm. What applies to one may not apply to another.
If something here resonates with you, let it be an invitation—to ask questions, to seek guidance, and to explore next steps with a qualified healthcare professional who knows you.
Healing is not one-size-fits-all, and true care is always personal.
May this information serve as a lantern, not a prescription—lighting the path, while honoring the wisdom of individualized support.
BEE Well Always,
Dr. Lynn
