When the Body Remembers: How Past Trauma and Autoimmune Disorders Are Deeply Connected

When the Body Remembers: How Trauma and Autoimmune Disorders Are Deeply Connected

Over the years, I’ve learned a lot from my clients about the connection between trauma, stress, and autoimmune or digestive issues. Their stories reveal how profoundly life experiences can shape physical health.

For instance:

• A client suffered a stroke after a bad breakup.

• Another developed endometriosis following sexual assault by a partner.

• Many of my clients who suffered connective tissue disorder (Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) have endured years of trauma and abuse.

• Another was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis after a series of traumatic events.

• Severe constipation often plagued clients with prolonged chronic emotional stress, anxiety and worrying.

• Clients with chronic diarrhea often stemmed from years of working in an abusive and hostile environment.

These aren’t isolated cases—they’re a pattern that shows how deeply the mind and body are connected. But how does trauma manifest as physical illness?

Genetics vs. Epigenetics: What Triggers Illness?

You may have heard the saying, “Genetics loads the gun, but the environment pulls the trigger.” While your DNA provides the blueprint for your body, it doesn’t dictate your health entirely. Epigenetics, the study of how genes are expressed or “turned on and off,” reveals that environmental factors—like stress, trauma, or toxic relationships—can influence how your body functions.

When your body perceives danger, whether physical or emotional, it adapts to keep you safe. Over time, however, these adaptations can lead to changes in your immune system, digestion, and even your DNA expression. This can lay the groundwork for autoimmune disorders, chronic inflammation, and digestive issues.

Trauma’s Imprint: Why You May Still Feel Unsafe

Even after leaving a bad situation or moving on from a traumatic event, your body may still act as if it’s in danger. This is because trauma leaves an imprint, much like muscle memory.

For example:

• A person who experienced sexual assault may feel intense pain or inflammation due to the unresolved trauma stored in their body.

• Someone who endured years of workplace hostility might develop digestive issues like IBS, as their gut responds to constant “fight or flight” signals.

As trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk explains in The Body Keeps the Score, the body remembers what the mind forgets. This is why, even when you logically know you’re safe, your body may still feel like it’s in a state of shock.

The Body Keeps the Score to Keep You Safe

The human body is incredibly intelligent. When faced with danger, it activates survival mechanisms to protect you—like raising cortisol levels, increasing inflammation, or altering digestion. These responses are helpful in the short term, but if they continue for weeks, months, or years, they can wreak havoc on your health.

Chronic stress can lead to:

• Autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, endometriosis, or lupus.

• Digestive issues such as constipation, diarrhea, or IBS.

• Inflammation, which underpins nearly every chronic illness.

While these responses are your body’s way of keeping you safe, they can become barriers to healing once the immediate danger is gone.

Healing the Body and Mind: A Holistic Approach

True healing involves addressing both the physical symptoms and the underlying trauma. Here are some strategies that can help:

1. Somatic Practices

Somatic yoga, practiced 3–4 times a week, helps release trauma stored in the body. By focusing on gentle movement and breathwork, somatic practices reconnect the mind and body, creating a sense of safety and calm.

2. Therapy for Emotional Healing

Hypnotherapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), or trauma-informed counseling can help process and release emotional pain.

3. Anti-Inflammatory Diets

An anti-inflammatory diet supports your immune system and reduces symptoms of chronic inflammation. Focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods like leafy greens, omega-3-rich fish, and antioxidant-packed berries.

4. Mind-Body Connection

Practices like mindfulness meditation and journaling can help you identify emotional triggers and build resilience.

5. Address Stress Triggers

Sometimes, healing requires making changes to your environment—like leaving a toxic workplace or setting boundaries in relationships.

Rewriting Your Body’s Story

Your body is not broken—it’s protecting you the best way it knows how. By recognizing the connection between past experiences and current health struggles, you can begin to take steps toward healing.

Whether you’re dealing with an autoimmune disorder, digestive issues, or chronic inflammation, remember: you are not your illness. Healing takes time, but with the right tools and support, it is possible to rewrite the story your body is holding onto.

If you’re navigating health challenges rooted in trauma, consider integrating somatic practices, a nourishing diet, and trauma-focused therapies into your healing journey. Your body deserves to feel safe again—and so do you.