Why Movement Is the Missing Link in Trauma Recovery

Why Movement Is the Missing Link in Trauma Recovery

 

 

You’ve journaled. You’ve gone to therapy. Maybe you’ve even meditated your way through anxiety.

But something still feels stuck.

That’s because trauma doesn’t just live in the mind. It lives in the body—in your posture, your breath, your muscles, your gut. And no amount of mindset work can fully clear it until the body feels safe again.

That’s where movement comes in.

Trauma Is Stored as Physical Tension

When we experience trauma—whether it’s a single shocking event or years of chronic stress—our bodies remember. The stress response gets locked in place and turns into:

  • Tight hips and shoulders
  • Chronic back or neck pain
  • Restricted breathing
  • Restlessness or hypervigilance
  • Nervous system dysregulation

As Dr. Bessel van der Kolk explains, trauma is not just a story you remember—it’s a physical imprint on the body (van der Kolk, 2014).

Why Movement Is Essential

Movement helps the body finish what it never got to complete during the original stress event. It gives trapped energy a pathway out.

Unlike intense workouts, somatic movement is slow, conscious, and connected to your inner experience. It doesn’t just stretch your muscles—it retrains your nervous system.

How Somatic Movement Works

Somatic exercises are simple, body-based practices that:

  • Complete the stress response cycle
  • Build interoception (your ability to sense and feel your body)
  • Calm the vagus nerve
  • Release stored energy gently
  • Signal to your body: you’re no longer in danger

According to research, movement is one of the most effective ways to regulate stress and release trauma from the body (Medical News Today, 2023; Davidson & McEwen, 2012).

It’s Not About Doing More—It’s About Moving Differently

You don’t need to crush a workout. You need to feel safe moving again. That might look like:

  • Rolling on the floor
  • Gentle shaking
  • Somatic stretches
  • Hip or spine circles
  • Mindful walking or swaying

This type of movement isn’t about performance—it’s about reconnection.

Start Moving Toward Healing

If you’ve been stuck in trauma loops or constant stress, somatic movement could be your missing piece. Your body is waiting for a signal that it’s finally safe to let go.

Let movement be your medicine.

Want to heal your nervous system and get your energy back?
 Start your healing journey with Soma today.
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References

  • Levine, P. (1997). Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma. North Atlantic Books.
  • van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score. Viking.
  • Medical News Today (2023). Somatic Experiencing Therapy: Exercises and Research.
  • Davidson, R. J., & McEwen, B. S. (2012). Social Influences on Neuroplasticity: Stress and Interventions. Nature Neuroscience.

PositivePsychology.com. Exploring the Mind–Body Connection Through Research.

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