The Body Keeps the Score: EMDR For Physical Symptoms of Trauma

Apr 25

It’s Not All In Your Head

Have you ever felt a tightness in your chest that mirrors the anxiety of an upcoming deadline?

Or maybe a dull ache settles in your lower back after a tense argument with a loved one.

These common experiences are just a glimpse into the powerful connection between our minds and bodies. But this mind-body link goes far deeper.

Many people who have experienced trauma also report a range of chronic physical symptoms that seem to defy explanation from traditional medicine.

These symptoms can be incredibly frustrating and can significantly impact your daily life. You might feel dismissed by doctors, or you might start to feel confused and ashamed. You're not making this up.

Your body is trying to tell you something.

Here are some questions you might be asking yourself if you're experiencing unexplained physical symptoms:

Do I constantly feel run down and fatigued, even after a good night's sleep?
Am I plagued by digestive issues like bloating or constipation for no apparent reason?
Have I developed chronic headaches or muscle tension that traditional treatments haven't helped?
Do I experience unexplained skin conditions or sleep disturbances?

If you're nodding along to any of these questions, you're not alone. There's a growing recognition of the link between trauma and a variety of physical ailments.

EMDR therapy can be a powerful tool for addressing these issues and helping you heal from the inside out.

The Body Keeps the Score: A Shift in Understanding Trauma

In his groundbreaking book, "The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma," Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, a leading expert in trauma research, sheds light on the immense impact of traumatic experiences on our entire being.

The title itself is a perfect summary of its core message. Your body remembers what your mind may have forgotten.

Prior to Dr. van der Kolk's work, the focus of trauma treatment was largely on the psychological aspects.

The prevailing belief was that if you could just talk through the event, you would heal.

However, "The Body Keeps the Score" revolutionized our understanding by demonstrating how trauma affects us not just mentally, but also physically and neurologically.

He showed us that trauma is a physical experience that needs a physical solution.

The book highlights several key breakthroughs:

Trauma is stored in the body:

Dr. van der Kolk argues that traumatic memories aren't simply stored in the conscious mind. They are also imprinted on the body, held within the nervous system and tissues. This explains why so many people with trauma experience physical symptoms like chronic pain, fatigue, and digestive issues that doctors can't seem to diagnose.

Your body is holding onto the memory of the event and the emotional stress that came with it.

The fight-or-flight response gets stuck:

When we experience trauma, our bodies go into a natural survival mode known as fight-or-flight. This is a brilliant biological response meant to keep us out of danger. In a healthy situation, this response subsides once the danger passes. However, trauma can disrupt this process, leaving the nervous system stuck in a state of high alert.

This can lead to a cascade of physical and emotional problems. It’s like a car engine that is constantly revving, even when it’s parked. This constant state of alert can lead to the chronic physical symptoms you feel.

The brain is malleable:

One of the most hopeful aspects of Dr. van der Kolk's work is his emphasis on neuroplasticity. This means the brain has the ability to heal and change throughout our lives. You are not stuck.

EMDR therapy takes advantage of this neuroplasticity by helping the brain process and release the negative energy and stored memories associated with traumatic events. It helps the brain to rewire itself for healing.

"The Body Keeps the Score" offers a powerful explanation for the mind-body connection in trauma and paves the way for more holistic treatment approaches like EMDR.

EMDR: Targeting the Emotional Roots of Physical Symptoms

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a powerful tool for treating trauma.

It works by helping you process the emotional memories and negative beliefs associated with a traumatic event.

But what many people don't realize is that EMDR can also be effective in addressing the physical symptoms linked to trauma.

Here's how:

When we experience trauma, our bodies go into fight-or-flight mode. This can lead to the release of stress hormones that can have long-term effects on our physical health.

Additionally, the emotional pain of trauma can get "stuck" in our nervous system, manifesting as physical symptoms. This is why you may experience chronic pain or digestive issues that have no clear medical cause.

Your body is trying to communicate something that your conscious mind cannot access.

By processing the emotional components of trauma through EMDR, we can begin to release the pent-up energy and negative beliefs that contribute to physical symptoms.

The bilateral stimulation used in EMDR helps to calm the nervous system and move it out of the constant state of high alert.

As your nervous system begins to feel safer, your body can begin to relax and heal.

EMDR helps our nervous system move out of fight-or-flight mode and return to a state of calm, which can have a positive impact on our overall physical well-being.

It helps to integrate the traumatic memory so that it is no longer a source of constant physical and emotional stress.

Applying EMDR to Physical Symptoms: A Look at the 8 Phases

When a physical symptom is the primary issue, EMDR follows the same structured eight-phase approach.

However, the focus and language shift to center on the bodily experience.

Here is an example of what that might look like for someone struggling with chronic tension headaches after a traumatic event.

Phase 1: History and Treatment Planning:

During this phase, we'd explore your history, including the traumatic event and the history of your headaches. We would identify the specific memory that feels most tied to the physical symptom.

For example, it might be the memory of being in a car crash, or it might be a memory of a time you were yelled at in a way that made you feel helpless. We would also identify the belief you hold about the symptom, such as "My body is broken."

Phase 2: Preparation:

Your well-being is the top priority. We would spend time building your emotional toolbox. We would practice grounding exercises and visualizations that you can use to calm yourself if you feel overwhelmed by the physical sensations.

We would not move on until you felt equipped to handle the emotional and physical intensity that might arise.

Phase 3: Assessment:

We would choose a specific memory to work on. Let's say it's the memory of the car crash. We would identify the negative cognition, such as "It's my fault." But we would also focus on the physical sensation.

We would ask you to rate the intensity of the tension headache on a scale of 1 to 10. We would also identify a positive belief you want to hold, such as "I am safe now."

Phase 4: Desensitization:

This is the core of EMDR. While you focus on the memory, the negative cognition, and the physical sensation of the headache, I would guide you through bilateral stimulation. This helps your brain process the memory and release the emotional intensity. You would simply notice what comes up for you.

We would continue until the emotional distress and the physical sensation of the headache decrease. The goal is to get the headache to a low number or even a zero on the scale.

Phase 5: Installation:

Once the emotional and physical charge is gone, we'll install the positive belief we chose in Phase 3. We'll use bilateral stimulation to help your brain fully accept and integrate this new, more empowering belief, "I am safe now." This helps your nervous system learn to relax.

Phase 6: Body Scan:

After processing the memory and installing the positive belief, we'll do a mental scan of your body from head to toe. This is an important step to ensure that the healing has extended to a physical level.

If any lingering tension remains in your body, we'll use bilateral stimulation to help your body release it.

Phase 7: Closure:

At the end of a session, we'll make sure you feel centered and calm. We'll use your coping skills to help you feel grounded before you leave.

We would also talk about what you might experience between sessions, such as a decrease in the frequency or intensity of your headaches.

Phase 8: Reevaluation:

At the beginning of each new session, we'll revisit the memory we worked on. We'll check in to make sure the emotional intensity is still gone and that the positive belief is still in place. We'll also check in on the frequency and intensity of your headaches.

This helps us ensure that the healing is lasting and that we are addressing all aspects of your trauma.

Managing Physical Symptoms Alongside Therapy

While EMDR can be a powerful tool, it's important to remember that healing takes time. The process is not always linear.

Here are some tips for managing physical symptoms alongside EMDR therapy.

Healthy Habits: Prioritize sleep, exercise, and a balanced diet. These habits can improve your overall health and resilience. They provide a solid foundation for healing and can help to regulate your nervous system.
Mind-Body Practices: Techniques like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing can help you manage stress and connect with your body's signals. These practices can help you learn how to listen to what your body needs and to respond to it with compassion.
Pain Management Techniques: If you are experiencing chronic pain, consider exploring complementary therapies like massage or acupuncture alongside traditional medicine. These therapies can help to alleviate physical symptoms while EMDR works on the emotional root of the issue.
Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself throughout this journey. Remember that your physical symptoms are not a sign of weakness. They are a sign that your body has been through something difficult. Healing is a process, not a destination.
Set Realistic Expectations: EMDR is a powerful tool, but it may not erase all your physical symptoms overnight. Healing takes time and consistency. Celebrate the small victories along the way, such as a day with less pain or a night of better sleep.

Finding an EMDR Therapist: Support on Your Healing Journey

If you're interested in exploring EMDR therapy to address physical symptoms related to trauma, the next step is finding a qualified therapist.

Here are some resources and tips to help you in your search:

EMDR International Association (EMDRIA): The EMDRIA website offers a therapist directory specifically for EMDR practitioners. You can search by location, insurance, and other criteria to find a therapist in your area.
Psychology Today: Many therapists advertise their services on Psychology Today. You can filter your search by location, insurance, and areas of expertise, including EMDR therapy.
Ask Your Trusted Loved Ones: You might be surprised to learn that many people close to you know about or have experience themselves with EMDR therapy. Ask around and see if someone you love has an EMDR therapist who has helped them.

Key Takeaways

Your body remembers. Unexplained physical symptoms can be a sign that your nervous system is holding onto the emotional and physical energy of a past trauma.
EMDR is a holistic approach. It targets the emotional roots of trauma, which in turn can lead to the alleviation of physical symptoms.
The nervous system is key. EMDR helps to calm the nervous system, moving it out of a chronic fight-or-flight state and into a state of greater calm and regulation.
Healing is a collaborative process. While EMDR is a powerful tool, it works best alongside self-care, healthy habits, and a compassionate mindset.
You're not alone and you can heal. Your physical symptoms are not a personal failing. You can work with a qualified therapist to understand and heal from the inside out.

Reclaim Your Body with EMDR Therapy

The connection between your mind and body is undeniable. Trauma can leave a lasting mark, not just on your emotional well-being, but also on your physical health.

However, there is hope. EMDR therapy offers a powerful tool for processing the emotional roots of trauma and alleviating the physical symptoms that often accompany it.

EMDR therapy can help to: