The Connection Between Childhood Trauma and Physical Health: What to Know

Let’s start with something a little uncomfortable, but really important: our bodies remember things our minds try to forget.

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “Why am I so tired all the time?” or “Why do I always have this tension in my chest?”—and doctors can’t seem to find anything “wrong”—you’re not alone. And you’re not making it up.

There’s a growing body of research (and honestly, years of client stories) that shows a powerful connection between childhood trauma and physical health in adulthood. It's not just in your head. It’s in your body, too.

Let’s unpack that a little.

Trauma Isn’t Just What Happened—It’s What Got Stuck

When people hear the word “trauma,” they often think of something big and dramatic—abuse, accidents, violence. And yes, those experiences count. But trauma isn’t just about what happened. It’s also about what didn’t happen.

Maybe no one ever comforted you when you cried. Maybe you learned to walk on eggshells around a parent. Maybe you were praised for being the “good kid” while quietly drowning inside. These early emotional injuries shape how you move through the world. And they don’t just live in your memories—they live in your nervous system.

This is where things get physical.

Your Body, the Silent Storyteller

Your nervous system is like a library of everything you’ve experienced—especially the stuff that felt unsafe. When you’re young and can’t process things fully, your body steps in. It tightens. It braces. It adapts.

Over time, this chronic state of “bracing” can show up as:

• Muscle tension or chronic pain

• Digestive issues

• Fatigue or sleep problems

• Headaches or migraines

• Autoimmune symptoms

• Even heart issues

Sound familiar?

These physical symptoms aren’t random. They’re signals. Your body is whispering (or maybe yelling), “Hey... something hurt us a long time ago, and we’re still holding on.”

“But That Was Years Ago…”

I hear this a lot: “Why is this stuff affecting me now? I’m an adult. I’ve moved on.”

And here’s the thing—yes, your life might look very different now. But trauma isn’t stored as a story with a beginning, middle, and end. It’s stored in sensations, in reactions, in patterns.

Have you ever:

• Overreacted to something small and thought, “Where did that come from?”

• Shut down emotionally in the middle of a conflict?

• Found yourself getting sick after a stressful week (or even a stressful thought)?

• 
  

That’s your nervous system doing its best to protect you—using old survival strategies from a time when you really needed them. The problem is, those strategies can start working against you when you’re no longer in danger.

Healing Is Possible (And It's Not Just Talk Therapy)

This is the part that gives me hope. And I hope it gives you some, too.

Understanding the link between childhood trauma and physical health isn’t just about connecting the dots. It’s about opening up new ways to heal—ways that go beyond just thinking or talking.

In my work, I use trauma-informed approaches that help the body and the mind feel safe again. That might mean slowing down, learning how to listen to your body’s cues, and creating space for what’s been buried for too long.

You don’t have to keep living in fight-or-flight. You don’t have to carry the weight alone.

So, What Can You Do Next?

If this blog resonated with you—even just a little—I want to gently invite you to consider this:

You are not broken. Your symptoms make sense. And healing is absolutely possible.

Booking a session isn’t a commitment to “fixing everything.” It’s just a step. A step toward understanding what your body’s been trying to tell you. A step toward you.\

If you’re ready—or even just curious—I’d love to walk with you.

You deserve to feel safe in your body. You deserve to feel well. Let’s get there, together.