Understanding the Link Between Trauma and Chronic Pain
When most people think about trauma, they imagine emotional scars, flashbacks, or anxiety. But trauma doesn’t just live in the mind—it can also show up in the body. One of the most common ways this happens is through chronic pain . Many people who have lived through difficult or traumatic experiences find themselves struggling with unexplained aches, tension, or long-term pain that doesn’t always have a clear medical cause. This is because the body and mind are deeply connected. How Trauma Impacts the Body When we go through a traumatic event, our nervous system goes into survival mode. The body releases stress hormones, muscles tighten, and the brain stays alert for danger. While this response is natural in the short term, ongoing trauma or unresolved stress can “rewire” the body to stay in a state of tension. Over time, this constant strain can contribute to conditions such as: Back and neck pain Migraines or tension headaches Stomach and digestive issues Fibromyalgia ...