Introduction
Trauma isn’t just something that happens in your mind—it’s something your entire body remembers. In his bestselling book The Body Keeps the Score, psychiatrist and trauma expert Dr. Bessel van der Kolk unpacks how trauma reshapes the brain and body, often in ways we don’t consciously recognize. More importantly, he explores how healing must involve more than just talking—it requires reconnecting with the body and restoring a sense of safety from the inside out.
Whether you're a trauma survivor, a therapist, or simply curious about how the brain and body interact, van der Kolk’s work offers a powerful lens for understanding the long-lasting impact of trauma—and what it truly takes to heal.
What Does It Mean That “The Body Keeps the Score”?
When we experience trauma—whether it's a one-time event or repeated exposure—our bodies don’t just move on. The nervous system stays on high alert, even long after the threat is gone. This can show up as chronic anxiety, numbness, difficulty sleeping, digestive issues, hypervigilance, or a deep sense of disconnection from others and from ourselves.
Van der Kolk’s central thesis is that trauma isn't just a psychological wound; it's a physiological imprint. The body holds onto the fear, pain, and helplessness we felt at the time, and these responses can be triggered again and again in everyday life—often without our conscious awareness.
How Trauma Affects the Brain and Body
The book explains how trauma impacts key areas of the brain, including:
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The amygdala, which becomes hyperactive and constantly scans for danger
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The prefrontal cortex, which helps with reasoning and decision-making, but may go offline when we’re triggered
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The hippocampus, which helps us form coherent memories but often misfires after trauma, leading to flashbacks or emotional overwhelm
Because trauma is stored not just as a narrative memory but as a sensory experience, it often bypasses language altogether. That’s why people may say, “I don’t know why I react this way” or “I feel like I’m reliving it, even though I know I’m safe.”
Why Talk Therapy Isn’t Always Enough
Traditional talk therapy can be helpful, but van der Kolk emphasizes that words alone often can’t access the deeper, body-based memories where trauma lives. Trauma survivors may understand what happened intellectually, yet still feel powerless, unsafe, or stuck.
Healing, therefore, needs to engage the body—not just the mind. The book explores a range of alternative and complementary approaches that help people reconnect with their physical selves and restore a sense of safety.
Body-Based Approaches to Healing
Van der Kolk introduces several evidence-based, body-centered treatments that have shown promise in trauma recovery:
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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): Helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they’re no longer as emotionally charged.
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Yoga and movement therapy: Rebuilds the mind-body connection and helps people re-inhabit their bodies in a safe, empowering way.
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Neurofeedback: Uses brainwave monitoring to help clients regulate their nervous systems and improve emotional control.
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Theater and expressive arts: Offers creative, non-verbal ways to reclaim agency and self-expression.
These methods share a common goal: to give people back a sense of control over their bodies and responses.
The Hope in Healing
What makes The Body Keeps the Score so impactful isn’t just its science—it’s the compassion and humanity behind it. Van der Kolk validates what so many trauma survivors already know: trauma changes you, but healing is possible.
Recovery takes time. It involves finding the right support, reconnecting with your body, and learning to feel safe in the present moment. But people can and do heal. They rebuild relationships, reclaim their sense of purpose, and learn to live with more freedom and less fear.
Final Thoughts
If you or someone you care about is navigating the aftershocks of trauma, The Body Keeps the Score is more than just a book—it’s an invitation to understand your story in a new way. It shows that trauma isn’t a sign of weakness or brokenness—it’s your body’s way of protecting you. And with the right tools, you can begin to tell your body: It’s safe now.
Want to Learn More or Get Support?
If you’re curious about trauma-informed therapy or want to explore body-based approaches to healing, our practice offers compassionate, evidence-backed care tailored to your needs. Reach out anytime—we’re here to help.
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