When Trauma, Stress, and Anxiety Show Up in Your Body

Let’s talk about something many of us experience but don’t always connect the dots on: how trauma, stress, and anxiety and depression can show up in our bodies. If you’ve ever had tight shoulders, headaches, back pain, or even chronic tension that just doesn’t seem to go away, it might not be just a physical issue. Your body and mind are deeply connected, and when emotional pain isn’t processed, it can manifest physically.   I see this all the time in my work as a Counsellor. Clients come in feeling overwhelmed by stress, trauma, or anxiety, but it’s not just their emotions they’re battling—it’s their bodies. Tight muscles, headaches, stomach issues, difficulty sleeping—all these physical symptoms can be our bodies’ way of communicating that something deeper needs attention. And that’s why healing often requires a team approach. Sometimes, it’s not just about talk therapy; it’s also about getting help from a Chiropractor, Massage Therapist, or Physiotherapist, alongside counseling.

The Body Keeps the Score

You may have heard the phrase and renowned book “The Body Keeps the Score” by Dr Bessel van der Kolk. The phrase means that your body can store the emotional and psychological impacts of trauma and stress. Even if we’re not consciously aware of it, our bodies remember. This can lead to a whole host of physical symptoms that are directly linked to what’s going on inside our minds.

When we experience trauma or prolonged stress, our nervous system can stay on high alert, in “fight-or-flight” mode. Muscles tense up, our breathing becomes shallow, and over time, this constant state of tension can cause real, physical problems. For some people, it shows up as chronic pain, for others as tension headaches or digestive issues. Your body might be screaming for help while your mind is too busy processing everything else happening in our larger than life society.

Trauma and Stress in the Body

Let’s break it down a bit more. How exactly do trauma and anxiety show up physically?

1. Muscle Tension: If you’ve ever noticed your shoulders creeping up toward your ears when you’re stressed, that’s a sign of how your body holds tension. Trauma, especially, can cause chronic muscle tightness, leading to pain in your neck, back, and shoulders.
2. Headaches and Migraines: Ever noticed how a stressful day can lead to a splitting headache? Anxiety and emotional strain can trigger headaches, and for some, even migraines
3. Digestive Issues: Anxiety can wreak havoc on your digestive system. Ever had a “nervous stomach” before a big event? Stress can lead to nausea, stomach pain, or even irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) over time.
4. Sleep Problems: When your mind is constantly racing, your body might struggle to wind down. This can lead to insomnia or restless sleep, which in turn contributes to fatigue, irritability, and more stress
5. Chronic Pain: Long-term stress and trauma can actually change the way our brains process pain, making us more sensitive to physical discomfort. This is why some people with trauma experience chronic pain that doesn’t seem to have a clear medical cause.

Why You Might Need a Team of Professionals

So, what do you do when your body is screaming for help? While talk therapy and somatic practices can be powerful for healing the emotional roots of trauma and stress, it’s often not enough on its own to address the physical toll. That’s why you might need a team approach to healing, combining emotional and physical care.

Let’s take a look at some key players who can help

• Chiropractor: If trauma and stress have left you with back pain, misaligned posture, or chronic tension, a chiropractor can help. They focus on aligning the spine and joints to relieve physical discomfort and improve nervous system function. This can be a crucial step in releasing the physical tension that’s been stored in your body.
• Massage Therapist: Sometimes, the body needs hands-on healing to release deep-seated tension. A massage therapist can work on loosening up tight muscles and improving circulation, helping your body relax and recover. Massage can also promote the release of “feel-good” hormones like serotonin, which can help calm the nervous system.
• Physiotherapist: For injuries or chronic pain that might have been triggered by stress or physical tension, a physiotherapist can create a tailored plan to help you regain strength, mobility, and function. They’re especially helpful if your physical symptoms have led to changes in how you move or if you’ve been compensating for pain in one part of your body by overusing another.
• Clinical Counsellor: And of course, this is where I come in. **Shameless Plug** Emotional healing is at the heart of resolving the underlying trauma and stress that may be causing those physical symptoms. Together, we work on understanding how your emotions are affecting your body and develop strategies to help you manage stress, process trauma, and restore emotional balance.

The Power of a Whole-Person Approach

The beauty of working with a team is that each professional brings a different piece of the puzzle to your healing journey. A chiropractor or physiotherapist might help alleviate the physical symptoms, while massage can soothe and relax the body, and counselling helps you process and heal emotionally. Together, they create a whole-person approach that addresses both the mind and body. Luckily our office, The Core Centre of Health, offers all of these services, one-stop-shop-style. When you start to care for your body and mind as one interconnected system, you may notice profound changes. Less tension. Fewer headaches. Improved sleep. And most importantly: improved mood, less stress, and a greater sense of calm and balance. Your body will start to feel lighter because it’s no longer carrying the weight of unprocessed emotions.

Healing Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

It’s important to remember that healing looks different for everyone. Some people might benefit from massage or physiotherapy, while others find more relief through counseling and chiropractic care. The key is to listen to your body and give yourself permission to seek the help you need, be open to trying different things than what you've tried in the past, in whatever form that takes.   If you’re dealing with trauma, stress, anxiety or depression and feel like it’s starting to show up physically, know that there’s no shame in reaching out for help. Whether it’s through physical treatments, emotional support, or both, you deserve to feel whole and well.   So, if your body is trying to tell you something, listen. It’s not just about relieving the symptoms; it’s about healing from the inside out. And when you care for both your body and mind, you’re giving yourself the gift of true, lasting healing.   Take care of yourself—your whole self.

You’re worth it!