The Body Remembers: How Emotional Wounds Show Up Physically
We often think of emotional and physical health as separate, but the truth is—our bodies tell the stories our minds try to forget. Unprocessed emotional and mental wounds don’t just disappear; they settle into the body, shaping how we feel, move, and even experience the world. This connection is central to Dr. Bessel van der Kolk’s groundbreaking work in The Body Keeps the Score, which explores how trauma is stored in the body and impacts both physical and mental health.
How the Body Holds Emotional Wounds
When we experience stress, trauma, or emotional pain, our nervous system responds instinctively through fight, flight, freeze, or fawn reactions. According to van der Kolk, if these experiences aren’t processed, the energy and tension connected to them become “stuck” in the body, creating physical manifestations of emotional distress.
This isn’t just poetic language; it’s rooted in neuroscience. The brain and body communicate constantly through the nervous system. Emotional distress activates physiological responses—muscle tension, changes in heart rate, digestive issues, and more. Over time, unresolved emotional wounds can create chronic patterns in the body.
Physical Symptoms of Emotional Pain
Chronic Tension & Pain: Tight shoulders, jaw clenching, back pain
Digestive Issues: The gut-brain connection means anxiety and stress often show up as stomach problems
Headaches & Migraines: Emotional overload can manifest as pressure or throbbing pain
Fatigue: Carrying emotional burdens can be physically exhausting
Breathing Difficulties: Shallow breathing often accompanies anxiety or suppressed emotions
Van der Kolk’s research shows that these symptoms are not just reactions but embodied memories—the body literally keeps score of the traumas and stress we carry.
The Mind-Body Healing Connection
Healing emotional wounds isn’t just about “thinking differently.” It’s about reconnecting with your body and creating space for those stuck emotions to move. The Body Keeps the Score emphasizes that traditional talk therapy may not be enough; incorporating somatic (body-based) practices is essential for holistic healing.
Practices That Support Mind-Body Healing
Somatic Stretching: Releases stored tension and brings awareness to where emotions live in the body
Conscious Breathing: Calms the nervous system, creating safety to feel and process emotions
Mindfulness & Body Scans: Helps you notice sensations without judgment, fostering emotional awareness
Movement Therapy: Gentle, intentional movement can help shift stagnant emotional energy
Therapeutic Support: Working with professionals trained in somatic or trauma-informed approaches can guide deeper healing
Your Body Isn’t Betraying You—It’s Communicating
Pain, tension, and discomfort aren’t just symptoms to “fix.” They’re signals—your body’s way of asking you to listen, slow down, and tend to what’s beneath the surface. As van der Kolk writes, “Being able to feel safe with other people is probably the single most important aspect of mental health.” But feeling safe starts within—by honoring the messages your body sends.
Healing starts with curiosity, not judgment. What is your body trying to tell you today?
