The Body Keeps the Score: Understanding Somatic Symptoms of Trauma
We often think of trauma as something that lives exclusively in our thoughts—a "bad memory" or a "scary flashback." However, the cutting edge of psychological research, popularized by experts like Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, tells a different story. Trauma is not just a story of what happened in the past; it is a physical residue left behind in the nervous system.
If you struggle with chronic pain, unexplained digestive issues, or a constant "tightness" in your chest that doctors can’t quite explain, your body might be trying to tell you something that your mind hasn't been able to put into words.
What is "Somatic" Therapy?
The word soma is Greek for "body." Somatic therapy is an approach that focuses on the connection between the mind and the body to treat psychological distress.
In a traditional "top-down" approach (like standard talk therapy), we use our logic and language to try to change our feelings. In a "bottom-up" approach (somatic therapy), we use the body to communicate with the brain. This is essential because, during a traumatic event, the "logical" part of the brain (the prefrontal cortex) often shuts down, while the "survival" part of the brain (the brainstem) takes over.
The Vagus Nerve: Your Body’s Communication Highway
To understand how the body "keeps the score," we have to understand the Vagus Nerve. This is the longest nerve of your autonomic nervous system, stretching from your brainstem all the way down to your abdomen.
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The Vagus Nerve acts as a two-way street. It sends signals from your brain to your organs, but—crucially—about 80% of its fibers send signals from your body to your brain.
The High-Tone State: When your Vagus Nerve is "toned" and healthy, you can recover quickly from stress. You feel "grounded."
The Low-Tone State: If you have experienced chronic trauma or "stuck" stress, your Vagus Nerve can become dysregulated. This leads to a state of constant "High Alert" (anxiety/tachycardia) or "Collapse" (depression/lethargy).
Common Somatic Symptoms of Stored Trauma
When we don't have the opportunity to "complete" the stress response (running away from the danger or fighting back), that energy stays trapped in our muscles and tissues. This often manifests as:
Chronic Muscle Tension
Many clients at our Utah clinics report "carrying the world" in their shoulders or having a perpetually clenched jaw (TMJ). This is often the body staying in a "braced" position, waiting for the next blow.
Digestive Issues
Ever heard the phrase "sick to my stomach"? Because the Vagus Nerve is so deeply connected to the gut, trauma survivors often suffer from IBS, acid reflux, or chronic bloating. The body is stuck in "survival mode," and in survival mode, the body deprioritizes digestion.
Somatic Anxiety
This is anxiety that bypasses the "worrying thoughts" and goes straight to the body. You might feel a sudden racing heart, cold hands, or a "lump in the throat" without any obvious trigger.
Why EMDR and Somatic Work Go Hand-in-Hand
At Purple Sky Counseling, we frequently integrate EMDR with somatic awareness. During an EMDR session, we don't just ask "What are you thinking?" We ask, "Where do you feel that in your body?"
By noticing the physical sensation—the heat in the chest, the tightness in the stomach—while using bilateral stimulation, we allow the body to finally "release" the stored energy. It’s like opening a pressure valve that has been shut for years.
Simple Tools to Begin "Listening" to Your Body
You don't have to wait for your next therapy session to start practicing somatic regulation. Here are three tools you can use right now:
The "Body Scan"
Three times a day, close your eyes and scan your body from your toes to your head. Don't try to change anything; just notice. "My feet feel cold. My lower back feels tight. My jaw is clenched." This simple act of noticing begins to bridge the gap between mind and body.
Temperature Regulation
If you feel a panic attack coming on or find yourself "spiraling," use temperature to shock the Vagus Nerve back into the present. Splash ice-cold water on your face or hold an ice cube in your hand. The intense physical sensation forces the brain to come back to the "here and now."
"The Butterfly Hug"
Cross your arms over your chest so your hands rest on your opposite shoulders. Alternate tapping your hands rhythmically. This is a form of self-administered bilateral stimulation that can help calm the nervous system during a stressful moment at work or home.
Creating a Safe Haven at Purple Sky Counseling
Healing somatic trauma requires a deep sense of safety. Our offices in Bountiful, Murray, and Farmington are designed to be "sensory-safe" environments. We believe that therapy should be a place where your body feels just as welcome as your mind.
Our clinicians are trained to go at your pace. If the body starts to feel overwhelmed, we "titrate"—meaning we slow down—to ensure your nervous system stays within its "Window of Tolerance."
Your Body is Not Your Enemy
It is easy to feel frustrated with a body that feels "broken" or "too sensitive." But your somatic symptoms are actually your body’s way of trying to protect you. They are signals, not failures.
By learning the language of your nervous system, you can stop fighting against your body and start working with it toward healing.
Is your body telling a story your words can't reach? You don't have to live in a state of constant physical tension. At Purple Sky Counseling, we specialize in body-centered trauma recovery.
Click here to learn more about our Somatic-Informed Therapy and follow us on Instagram @purpleskycounseling for weekly videos on nervous system regulation and grounding techniques.