- 3 January 2025
Introducing Physical Symptoms of Trauma
At Cova Psychology, our trauma therapists in Melbourne help many people dealing with the impact of trauma, PTSD, and Complex Trauma. As part of this work we often treat Physical Symptoms of Trauma, sometimes referred to as “Somatic Symptoms.” Initially, some of our clients are unaware that their physical symptoms are linked to trauma. This is understandable given that there is greater awareness of more common PTSD symptoms, like flashbacks and nightmares. Many people are surprised when their trauma presents in different ways—especially in the body. Physical symptoms of trauma can be confusing and distressing, because people don’t understand why their body is reacting the way it is.
When trauma impacts the body, it doesn’t always show up as an emotional or mental experience. It can include pain, tension, nausea, headaches, fatigue, or a sense of restlessness. You may not recognise these sensations as trauma, but in many cases, they are deeply connected. The body has an incredible ability to remember and hold on to emotional experiences, especially those that occurred at an early age. In early childhood, when the brain was still developing, our memories may be encoded differently. Rather than storing a record of what has happened to us, our brain may only encode a physical component. For example intense fear, distress, or physical pain.
This blog aims to:
- shed light on these often overlooked and misunderstood symptoms
- explore why they happen, and
- share some effective ways to address them.
Table of Contents
What Are Somatic and Physical Symptoms of Trauma?
“Somatic symptoms” is the clinical term used to describe physical sensations or pains that occur without any clear medical cause. Often, they can be linked to psychological distress and various mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. You might have heard about the emotional symptoms of PTSD, like flashbacks, nightmares, or emotional numbness, but physical symptoms can also be a sign of unresolved trauma. Some common somatic symptoms related to trauma include:
Chronic pain: Back pain, joint pain, muscle soreness, or generalised body aches
Tension: Tightness in the chest, shoulders, or neck
Nausea or digestive issues
Fatigue or lack of energy
Restlessness or an inability to sit still
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
These symptoms can make life feel challenging. They can leave people feeling like they’re trapped in their own bodies, unable to understand why they’re experiencing these painful physical sensations.
Understanding Preverbal Trauma and the Link to Physical Symptoms of Trauma
One key reason that trauma can present in the body is when the trauma is preverbal. This refers to trauma that occurred during a time in life when a person was too young to form detailed memories of the traumatic event. It might have happened in early childhood, or even infancy. When our brains are still developing we are unable to encode memories the same way we do later in life. As a result, a traumatic experience early in life may not be stored as a typical memory, but rather it may be held in the body.
When a traumatic memory is triggered our body may reacts in ways that reflect the unresolved trauma. We may not have a clear memory of an event, but our body might still react to certain sensations, emotions, or triggers. These physical symptoms—whether it’s tension, pain, or fatigue—are often the body’s way of trying to make sense of or protect itself from past trauma.
A Compassionate Approach: Moving Towards Healing
The first step in addressing physical symptoms of trauma is adopting a compassionate approach to your own body. When trauma shows up physically, it’s important not to judge yourself. Your body is doing the best it can to protect you and process the past, including managing both emotional and physical pain. Moving towards self-compassion is an important component of the healing journey.
If you’re experiencing physical symptoms, it’s important to always visit a doctor first to rule out any medical conditions. If your doctor can’t find any medical explanation for your symptoms, it’s possible that they are somatic symptoms driven by psychological distress. This is where trauma-informed care becomes essential.
Seeking Help: A Trauma-Informed Approach
If you suspect your physical symptoms are related to trauma, working with a psychologist in Melbourne who understands trauma and its somatic effects can be incredibly beneficial. At Cova Psychology, our team of experienced Melbourne psychologists is passionate about helping clients make sense of their experiences and find ways to move forward. In some cases, working with other allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists, can assist with the physical aspects of symptoms.
Somatic Therapies for PTSD and the Physical Symptoms of Trauma
There are several therapies that are particularly effective in addressing somatic symptoms. These therapies aim to reconnect the body and mind. This allows trauma that has been held in the body to be processed and released. Some examples of somatic therapies include:
Somatic Experiencing (SE): This is a therapeutic approach that focuses on the body’s sensations to help release trauma. It encourages people to tune into their body and notice where they’re holding tension, and then gently work through these sensations.
Trauma-Focused Yoga: This practice combines gentle movement and mindfulness to help people become more aware of their bodies. This is particularly important if someone has become disconnected from physical sensations due to trauma.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing): While primarily known for working with cognitive memories, EMDR also engages the body’s nervous system to process trauma. This can result in a reduction of somatic symptoms. EMDR has a significant body of research showing that it is effective at treating PTSD including physical symptoms of trauma.
Body-Centred Psychotherapy: This therapy combines talk therapy with physical practices. These practices include breathing exercises and mindful movement to help people process and release stored trauma.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: This key type of somatic trauma therapy focuses on the mind-body connection in healing trauma. It helps individuals understand and regulate their physical responses to emotional experiences. This promotes a return to a balanced state through physical awareness rather than verbal communication.
Through these therapies, individuals can begin to understand how their physical symptoms are linked to their past experiences, and work towards healing on a deeper, more integrated level.
Conclusion: Your Body Knows What You Can’t Remember
Trauma and PTSD symptoms aren’t always obvious. While flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional struggles are well-known symptoms, the physical symptoms should also be explored as an expression of trauma. They are the body’s way of holding onto unprocessed trauma, especially when that trauma occurred before we had the ability to form clear memories.
At Cova Psychology, we help individuals experiencing both the mental and physical aspects of trauma. We can provide a range of evidence based therapeutic interventions which can help you understand and heal from the trauma that may be showing up in your body. If you’ve been experiencing somatic symptoms related to traumatic events that are difficult to explain, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. With the right care and treatment, it is possible to learn how to work with your body, release trauma, and feel better.
If you’re ready to take the next step in understanding and healing trauma, we are here to help. Contact our friendly reception team to explore booking an appointment, either face to face with a psychologist in Melbourne or via telehealth.
Dr. Chris Coleiro
Chris is Clinical Psychologist and a co-director of Cova Psychology, located in the Melbourne CBD, where he provides supervision to psychologists whilst cultivating a supportive culture within the Cova team. Chris has worked extensively in the assessment and treatment of trauma, PTSD, and Borderline Personality Disorder. He combines a range of therapies in his approach including CBT, Schema Therapy, EMDR and IFS. Chris is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), the APS college of Clinical Psychology, and of the Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing Australian Association (EMDRAA).