Trauma. Just hearing the word can evoke feelings of heaviness and complexity. At its core, trauma can be defined as an emotional response to an event or experience that overwhelms our ability to cope. But trauma isn’t just something that affects our feelings or mental health—it has far-reaching effects that ripple through our entire being, including our physical body.

As Ann Frederick, co-author of Waking the Tiger alongside Peter Levine, explains, the impact of trauma can manifest in profound and unexpected ways. “Trauma can make a person blind, mute, or deaf; it can cause paralysis in legs, arms, or both; it can bring about chronic neck and back pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, bronchitis, asthma, gastrointestinal problems, severe PMS, migraines, and a whole host of so-called psychosomatic conditions,” she writes. These aren’t just abstract symptoms—they’re lived realities for many who have experienced the weight of unprocessed trauma.

Why does this happen? Trauma is more than just a memory. It’s an energy that gets trapped in our bodies, disrupting the natural flow of our systems. Our nervous system, designed to protect us in moments of danger, can sometimes hold onto that energy long after the threat has passed. This is why trauma can feel so inescapable—it’s not just in our minds; it’s in our tissues, our cells, and our very way of being in the world.

But here’s the hopeful part: when that trapped energy is gently and skillfully released, the body has an extraordinary ability to heal itself. By creating space for release and regulation, whether through somatic practices, therapy, or other healing modalities, we allow our bodies to heal.

Healing from trauma isn’t about “getting over it” or forgetting—it’s about reclaiming the parts of ourselves that have been held hostage by the past. It’s about giving our bodies and minds the permission to breathe deeply again, to feel safe, and to thrive.

The journey may not always be easy, but it is always possible. Your body, even when burdened by trauma, is designed to heal. With compassion, patience, and the right support, you can find freedom on the other side of trauma.