We often think of trauma as something to be processed through talking, analysing, and making sense of our experiences. But what if the key to healing trauma lies not in our thoughts, but in our bodies?
Trauma, as research shows, has very little to do with cognition. While our minds may try to make sense of what happened, trauma lives in the body. It is stored deep within our nervous system, in the physical sensations, reflexes, and patterns of protection that are often beyond our conscious control. This is why many survivors don’t have a clear narrative with a beginning, middle and an end to describe their traumas. They often recall it though senses, pain or fleeting images, That is also why simply "talking it out" can leave survivors feeling stuck, as if they can understand their trauma but never fully escape it.
At the core of trauma is the body's survival response. When we experience a threat, the brain’s primitive survival circuits—particularly the amygdala—trigger a flood of adrenaline, preparing us to fight, flee, or freeze. These responses are not based on logical thought; they are instinctual, automatic, and designed to keep us alive. Long after the threat is gone, these same responses can stay activated, leaving the body on high alert, even when the mind knows there is no danger.
This is why trauma often manifests as physical symptoms—chronic tension, digestive issues, or a feeling of being "on edge" for no apparent reason. It’s also why trauma survivors can feel emotionally numb or disconnected from their bodies, as if they are living in a constant state of disassociation. The trauma is not just a memory; it is an ongoing physical experience.
Healing trauma, then, requires a different approach—one that goes beyond cognitive processing. By working with the body’s natural rhythms and learning how to feel safe in our own skin again, we can begin to heal the deep, physical imprints of trauma.
Body-centred perspectives invite us to see trauma not as something that can be "thought" or “talked” away, but as an experience that must be felt and released. True healing comes from understanding that trauma is not just in the mind—it’s in the body. And when we learn to listen to the body, we unlock the path to recovery.
