Hidden Trauma Stored in the Body (Somatic Memory) — How the Body Remembers What the Mind Forgets
- Dylan Chase
- Dec 4
- 4 min read
Trauma often leaves marks that go beyond what we can consciously recall. Sometimes, the mind blocks painful memories, but the body holds on to them in subtle and powerful ways. This phenomenon is known as somatic memory, where the body remembers what the mind forgets. Understanding how trauma is stored in the body can open new paths for healing and self-awareness.
What Is Somatic Memory?
Somatic memory refers to the way the body retains memories of traumatic events through physical sensations, muscle tension, or involuntary reactions. Unlike traditional memory, which is stored in the brain and can be consciously accessed, somatic memory is encoded in the nervous system and muscles. This means trauma can manifest as chronic pain, tightness, or unexplained physical symptoms even when the person does not consciously remember the event.
For example, someone who experienced a car accident might not recall every detail but could feel persistent neck stiffness or anxiety when driving. The body holds onto the trauma, signaling distress through physical symptoms.
How Trauma Becomes Stored in the Body
When a person experiences trauma, the body reacts with a fight, flight, or freeze response. This reaction floods the body with stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. If the trauma is overwhelming or prolonged, the body can get stuck in this heightened state of alert. The nervous system remains on edge, and muscles stay tense, even after the danger has passed.
This tension becomes a form of memory. The body learns to hold itself in a protective posture, which can lead to chronic pain or restricted movement. Over time, these physical patterns become unconscious habits, making it difficult to relax or feel safe.
Signs That Trauma Is Stored in the Body
Recognizing somatic memory can be challenging because symptoms often appear unrelated to trauma. Some common signs include:
Chronic muscle pain or stiffness without clear medical cause
Digestive issues linked to stress
Sudden emotional reactions triggered by physical sensations
Difficulty breathing deeply or feeling “trapped” in the chest
Feeling disconnected from the body or numbness in certain areas
These symptoms suggest the body is holding onto unresolved trauma. Paying attention to these signals is the first step toward healing.
How Somatic Therapy Helps Release Trauma
Somatic therapy focuses on the connection between the mind and body to help release stored trauma. It uses techniques that encourage awareness of physical sensations and promote relaxation of tense muscles. Some common approaches include:
Breathwork to calm the nervous system
Movement therapy such as yoga or dance to restore natural body flow
Touch therapy like massage or myofascial release to ease muscle tension
Mindfulness practices to increase body awareness and presence
By gently exploring physical sensations, people can access memories and emotions stored in the body. This process helps the nervous system reset and reduces the hold trauma has on the body.
How Psychiatrists Treat Somatic Trauma
Because somatic trauma lives in both the mind and body, treatment must be integrated. At Treasure Coast Psychiatry, we combine traditional psychiatric care with body-based and trauma-informed therapies.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps patients identify thoughts and beliefs shaped by trauma. Evidence from the APA PTSD treatment guidelines shows CBT significantly reduces traumatic stress.
Trauma-Focused Therapy
Exposure therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
Trauma narrative processing
These methods allow the brain to reprocess painful memories safely and reduce physical symptoms.
Somatic and Body-Based Approaches
Somatic therapies focus on releasing trauma stored in muscle memory, breathing patterns, and the nervous system. Evidence from Frontiers in Psychology supports their effectiveness.
Somatic Experiencing (SE)
Breathwork and vagus nerve regulation
Progressive muscle relaxation
Mindfulness-based stress reduction
Medication Management
Medication does not remove trauma, but it can reduce symptoms such as anxiety, panic attacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance. This allows therapy to work more effectively. Learn more through our Mental Health Services page.
How to Begin Healing Somatic Trauma
Here is a practical roadmap used at Treasure Coast Psychiatry:
Initial psychiatric evaluation — emotional + physical symptom review
Nervous system assessment — identifying dysregulation patterns
Therapy plan creation — CBT, trauma-focused, or somatic therapy
Medication (if needed) — to stabilize mood and sleep
Body-based exercises — grounding, breathwork, vagal toning
Follow-ups — adjustments based on stress and symptom triggers
This comprehensive model is supported by the World Health Organization guidelines on trauma recovery.
When to Seek Professional Help
If your body reacts strongly to stress, if emotions feel stuck, or if trauma symptoms interfere with daily life, it’s time to seek help. You can schedule a confidential evaluation by visiting our Contact Us page or calling our office.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can trauma really live in the body?
Yes. Research from NIMH and Harvard shows trauma affects the nervous system, muscles, and immune system long-term.
2. Why do I feel anxiety but cannot remember any traumatic event?
The brain blocks some memories, but the body remembers the danger through physical sensations.
3. Is somatic therapy effective?
Yes. Studies from PubMed show somatic therapies help release stored physical stress patterns.
4. Do medications help with somatic trauma?
They help regulate anxiety, panic, and mood so therapy can work more effectively.
5. Can trauma healing fix physical pain?
In many cases, yes. Once the nervous system stabilizes, chronic pain often reduces.
6. How long does somatic trauma treatment take?
It varies. Some people see progress in weeks; others need several months.
7. Does everyone with trauma develop somatic symptoms?
No, but many trauma survivors experience physical symptoms at some point.
8. Can somatic trauma cause digestive issues?
Yes. Trauma impacts the gut-brain connection and vagus nerve.
9. Can childhood trauma create adult somatic symptoms?
Absolutely—childhood trauma often shows up later as physical problems.
10. Can psychiatry and somatic therapy work together?
Yes. The most effective treatment blends both body and mind approaches.
How to get help from Treasure Coast Psychiatry
If you are a local patient interested in an evaluation or in discussing brain-directed options like NeuroStar TMS, please visit our Contact page to request an appointment. For details about our services see Mental Health Services.
© 2025 Treasure Coast Psychiatry
2030 SE Ocean Blvd, Stuart, FL 34996
Phone: (772) 210-5450
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