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Your Energy Tells a Story: How Trauma Stored in the Body Speaks Through Subtle Signals
- Karen Law
- Aug 18
- 3 min read
We often think of communication as something that happens with words. Yet our bodies are speaking all the time. The way we hold ourselves, the tension we carry, the aches that appear without explanation... all of these can be signals from our deeper selves. Our energy holds a story, even when we’re not consciously aware of it.
Our bodies hold more wisdom than we often realise. Sometimes, the sensations, tensions, or emotions that arise aren’t random, they are reminders of trauma stored in the body. Learning to listen to these signals can guide us towards deeper healing and wholeness.
Why the Body Stores What the Mind Cannot
When we go through overwhelming or traumatic experiences, our nervous system sometimes tucks away the unprocessed emotion to protect us. These experiences can then be stored in the body, waiting for a safe time to surface and release. Left unacknowledged, they can show up as chronic tension, emotional triggers, or even physical illness.
The good news is that the body also knows how to heal. By tuning into subtle signals, such as sensations, emotions, or energetic shifts, we create the opportunity to release what no longer serves us.
Listening Beyond Words
Tuning into the body’s energy isn’t about analysing or overthinking. It’s about noticing. That knot in the stomach, the heaviness in the chest, the rush of warmth or coolness that seems to come from nowhere ... all of these are ways your body speaks. With the right support, those signals can guide you towards healing.
When your body responds with tightness, trembling, or sudden emotions, it can be a way of showing you where trauma is stored in the body. These body signals of trauma are invitations to pause and notice rather than dismiss them.
A Personal Experience of Release of Trauma Stored in the Body
In one of my own sessions of trauma-healing massage, I experienced this in a profound way. As my therapist worked very lightly and slowly on my left shoulder, I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of terror rise up. It was as if I were hiding from someone, scared to breathe in case they heard me, even frightened that the sound of my heart might give me away.
And then, just as suddenly, it seemed to wash away.
I didn’t need to alert my therapist or ask her to stop. I realised my body was simply letting go of something deeply stored. I didn’t feel the need to remember or analyse what it was. I simply allowed the release to happen. And in doing so, I felt lighter, freer, and more at peace.
This is the beauty of body-based trauma healing. We don’t always need to know the story in our minds. Sometimes it’s enough to let the body tell it, and let it go.
The Role of Trauma-Informed Approaches
Whether through massage, QEC, or other trauma-informed therapies, creating safety for the body to speak is vital. These approaches support the nervous system, making space for the subtle signals of the body to be heard and honoured. With time, this deep listening helps to restore balance, calm, and resilience.
Final Thoughts
Your body holds wisdom and truth beyond what words can capture. By tuning into your body’s subtle signals and honouring the energy it carries, you can release old wounds and step into greater freedom. Healing doesn’t always come through effort or analysis. Sometimes, it comes through listening and allowing.
If you’re curious about what your body’s energy might be holding, and feel ready to begin releasing it safely, I’d love to support you. Through trauma-informed approaches, I can help you connect with your body’s signals, regulate your nervous system, and create lasting change.
