How Trauma Shows Up in the Body — And How Somatic Support Is Helping People Heal
Trauma isn't just something that happens in the mind — it lives in the body.
While most of us are taught to think of trauma as a psychological issue, many trauma survivors quickly realize that healing is not just a matter of mindset. Trauma lingers in muscles, breath, posture, and the nervous system, often showing up in physical ways long before we recognize it consciously. That’s where somatic support comes in — a body-centered approach to healing that’s helping more people reconnect with themselves and reclaim safety from the inside out.
The Body Remembers What the Mind Forgets
When we go through something overwhelming, especially something that threatens our sense of safety or survival, our nervous system kicks into gear to protect us. This is known as the fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response. These reactions are not chosen — they’re hardwired into our biology.
But here’s the catch: when trauma is unresolved, these protective responses don’t always shut off after the threat is gone. The body may stay in a heightened state of alert, or shut down completely. Over time, this can look like:
Chronic tension or pain (especially in the neck, shoulders, hips, or jaw)
Digestive issues or gut imbalances
Exhaustion or chronic fatigue
Anxiety or panic attacks
Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
Feeling disconnected or “numb”
Startle responses or difficulty relaxing
Breathing patterns that are shallow or tight
In other words, the body continues to respond to the trauma long after the event is over.
What Is Somatic Support?
Somatic support is an umbrella term for therapeutic approaches that center the body in healing. “Soma” is a Greek word meaning “the living body,” and somatic therapies recognize that the body holds essential wisdom — and often, the key to trauma resolution.
Rather than talking about trauma (though that has its place), somatic therapy helps individuals feel through trauma in a safe and supported way. This may include:
Somatic Experiencing (SE): Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, this method helps people renegotiate traumatic memories through gentle awareness of bodily sensations.
Body-oriented psychotherapy: Therapists trained in somatic approaches may guide clients to notice posture, breath, or movement patterns during sessions.
Breathwork: Focused breathing techniques help regulate the nervous system and create space for emotions to move through.
Movement practices: Such as yoga, dance therapy, or trauma-informed stretching to release stored tension and reconnect with the body.
Why Somatic Healing Works
The beauty of somatic healing is that it doesn't force the body to “relive” trauma — instead, it creates space for the body to complete what was once interrupted. For instance, someone who froze during a traumatic event might feel a subtle urge to shake or move while in a safe session. That movement, however small, can be the body’s way of restoring balance.
These practices help:
Re-establish a sense of safety and presence
Regulate the nervous system
Reconnect with parts of the body that may feel disconnected
Cultivate self-awareness and compassion
Build resilience to stress
The Journey Back to the Body
Trauma healing isn’t linear, and it’s not about “getting over it.” It’s about coming home to yourself — slowly, safely, and with support. Somatic work reminds us that we are not broken — we are biologically wise. Our bodies are doing their best to protect us, even when it doesn’t feel that way.
Whether you're working with a somatic therapist, exploring trauma-informed yoga, or simply learning to notice your breath again, know that healing is possible — and your body can be an ally in the process.
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