Sexual trauma (and all forms of trauma) can live in your body. Overtime, you may experience a series of physical symptoms you can’t explain.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, your body is communicating to you that something hasn’t been fully processed. I invite you to read the post to learn if you have stored sexual trauma in your body and how to find release.
Honoring Your Intelligent Body
I know how easy it is to judge yourself and ask, Why am I so tense?
I’d like to take a moment to honor the fact that your body protected you from your trauma the best way it knew how, and now it’s letting you know it’s time for release. It’s pretty miraculous your body is capable of this.
I invite you to honor how intelligent your body is and always has been. It’s been your protector, and while your symptoms may frustrate you, they’re your body’s way of saying something needs attention.
How You Store Sexual Trauma
When you face a traumatic experience, your body prepares you for fight-or-flight mode. This is your sympathetic nervous system in action, and its job is to keep you safe.
After the traumatic experience, your body wants to return to homeostasis (your body’s neutral state.) The problem with many trauma survivors is they don’t fully process their trauma. So now, when your body perceives a threat related to your trauma, your body enters fight or flight again. When your body remains in this state, you don’t receive the rest and release you need. This leads to tension and other issues.
You also release hormones to face the perceived threat. Cortisol and adrenaline are amazing for protecting you when you need it, but experiencing these long term may leave you with frustrating symptoms.
11 Clear Signs You Have Stored Sexual Trauma In Your Body
This list isn’t a diagnosis or an exclusive list. You may experience all, some, or none of these symptoms.
Physical signs sexual trauma has manifested in your body:
- Digestive issues
- Bloating
- Shoulder and Neck Pain
- Low back pain
- Pelvic Floor Disorders
- Irritable Bowl Syndrome (IBS)
- Weight gain (especially in your belly)
- Constant fatigue
- Headaches
- Chronic Pain
- Insomnia
Many survivors have experienced one or many of these symptoms. The good news is that this isn’t a life sentence. You can release this trauma and feel comfortable in your body.
How To Release Sexual Trauma From Your Body
There are loads of options to release trauma, come home to your body, and ease the symptoms listed above.
One way to relieve stored trauma is through a yoga practice. Yoga provides gentle stretches and techniques that release tension and provide space for you to transcend your emotions (with no need to speak about them.)
I invite you to explore these additional support options for a well-rounded care plan.
You can take your yoga practice a step further by exploring trauma-informed yoga.
Trauma-informed yoga is an amazing, research based healing modality to explore if you’re looking to begin your holistic healing journey. This is a wonderful starting point or a practice to accompany an existing care plan. I invite you to read more about the research and if this sounds right for you in this blog post.
Overview
These common signs remind us that we’re not alone. You’re not the only person who experiences stored sexual trauma in your body, and you’re able to release this trauma like many other survivors have.
I invite you to explore the support options that speak to you, and to take all the time you need on your healing journey.
Take care.
