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When we think about trauma, it’s often viewed as something that happened in the past—a memory or event stored in the mind. But trauma doesn’t just reside in our thoughts; it also leaves deep imprints on the body, shaping the way we feel, react, and move through life. In my work as a therapist specializing in somatic techniques and EMDR, I’ve found that one of the best ways to explain trauma’s effect on the body is by comparing it to a pressure cooker. Yes, we’re talking kitchen appliances now!
Let me explain.
Trauma as a Pressure Cooker: Impact on the Body Over Time
Picture a pressure cooker on the stove. As heat rises, pressure builds inside the pot. If that pressure isn’t released periodically, what happens? Eventually, the pot reaches a tipping point, and the pressure escapes in an explosive way. Now, think of your body as that pressure cooker. Trauma is like the buildup of steam and heat—it starts small, but over time, if it’s not released, it can result in emotional or physical outbursts, chronic stress, or feelings of being overwhelmed.
The body, like the pressure cooker, needs release valves to let off steam. If we keep everything bottled up inside, we risk serious consequences for our physical and emotional health. Trauma interrupts the body’s natural ability to regulate, leaving you with pent-up energy that needs to go somewhere.
The Body Keeps the Score (You Bet It Does)
Peter Levine, a renowned expert on trauma and the nervous system, emphasizes that trauma is not just stored in the mind—it lives in the body. The body acts as a container, holding onto the unresolved energy from traumatic events. Over time, that energy builds up, much like the pressure in the cooker. If we don’t find ways to release it, the tension stays trapped in our muscles, tissues, and nervous system.
Trauma doesn’t simply fade away. It settles in our bodies, creating patterns that influence everything from chronic pain to anxiety and digestive issues. This ongoing tension can lead to a variety of health problems as the body struggles to cope with unresolved trauma. Think of it like that pressure cooker—always on the verge of boiling over.
The Nervous System Under Pressure
The nervous system operates much like the release valve on a pressure cooker. When things are going well, your nervous system helps you manage stress, allowing you to return to a calm and balanced state after challenges. But trauma disrupts that natural process. It overstimulates the nervous system, pushing you into a state of hyperarousal (think fight or flight) or hypoarousal (freeze). When this happens, the nervous system is no longer able to regulate itself effectively, and you end up stuck with built-up pressure.
If you're in hyperarousal mode, your body is like a pressure cooker at maximum heat. You might feel constantly anxious, have trouble sleeping, or experience tension in your muscles. On the other hand, if you’re in hypoarousal, it’s like your cooker has turned off completely—you feel numb, disconnected, or emotionally "shut down."
Releasing the Pressure: Healing the Body
So, how do we release the pressure and return to balance?
Healing from trauma isn’t about forcing yourself to “move on” or think differently. Since trauma is stored in the body, healing must involve the body. Somatic therapy, EMDR, and polyvagal techniques are powerful tools that help release the accumulated pressure within the nervous system.
In my practice, I work with clients to identify where they hold tension in their bodies. Through gentle movement, breathwork, and somatic exercises, we start to release that trapped energy, much like slowly turning the valve on a pressure cooker. It’s a gradual process—there’s no sudden release of steam all at once—but over time, the body learns to regulate again.
Moving Forward: Finding Your Balance
Trauma may seem like an overwhelming, unyielding force in your life, but there is hope. Just like a pressure cooker can be safely released, so can your body find relief from the burdens it carries. By paying attention to the physical signs of trauma and using body-centered approaches to healing, you can restore balance to your nervous system.
The key is recognizing that trauma doesn’t just exist in your head—it lives in your body. And just as you wouldn’t leave a pressure cooker on full blast without monitoring it, your body needs care and attention to release the pressure in healthy, manageable ways.
With the right tools and support, you can gradually release the tension that trauma creates. Your body will learn to reset, self-regulate, and find peace again—one careful turn of the release valve at a time.
Listen to your body, allow it to release, and you’ll find your way back to balance.
This pressure cooker analogy offers a relatable and visual way of explaining how trauma impacts the body and how healing works.
Want more info about how "The Body Keeps the Score?" More Quick Reads HERE
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