In this blog post we discuss what trauma actually is, the link between trauma and chronic pain/symptoms, and how we can experience chronic pain/symptoms as traumatic.
Defining Trauma
Trauma is not the event that occurred, but our autonomic nervous system response1. The same event could be traumatizing for one person, and not for another. It’s not black and white; trauma can be more and less severe in its impact. Trauma can be defined as nervous system dysregulation, including an overactive sympathetic and/or dorsal vagal state, that remains stuck in the body1.
Symptoms of trauma can look like:
Overactivation of the sympathetic system:
- Physical symptoms: difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, difficulties or inability to sleep, tingling, cold sweats, dizziness, chronic pain, tension, tinnitus and other physical symptoms1,2
- Mental symptoms: racing thoughts, worry and obsessive thinking, anxiety, irritation, panic, or rage1,2
Overactivation of the dorsal vagal system:
- Physical symptoms: exhaustion, low energy, low muscle tone, numbness, poor immune function, issues with digestion, chronic pain/symptoms, and chronic fatigue1,2
- Mental symptoms: lacking motivation or interest, dissociation, depression, numb, disconnection in relationships, lack of responsiveness1,2
So why does this matter when it comes to chronic pain and symptoms? It matters because when we experience trauma, our nervous system can become sensitized meaning chronic pain, fatigue, dizziness, and/or other chronic symptoms are triggered.
Trauma and Chronic Pain/Symptoms
There are major links between trauma and chronic symptoms:
- Adults are 2.7 times more likely to have chronic widespread pain if they have significant trauma in their past3
- A meta-analysis study on trauma showed a significantly increased likelihood of developing Fibromyalgia and a 4-time higher likelihood of developing chronic fatigue syndrome4
- Chronic nervous system dysregulation is associated with inflammatory bowel diseases, functional digestive disorders, and IBS5,6
- PTSD is associated with higher rates of dizziness/vestibular concerns7
These studies teach us that trauma can be a factor in triggering and perpetuating chronic pain and symptoms. Our nervous system lets us know, through chronic pain and symptoms, that it is feeling dysregulated and in a state of survival. As Deb Dana states, “Trauma replaces patterns of connection with patterns of protection”8, and because of this shift, we become much more likely to develop chronic symptoms. This is why trauma is a major factor that we focus on when treating chronic pain and symptoms.
Now let’s discuss one specialized type of trauma that commonly occurs when we are experiencing chronic pain and symptoms, which we call sensitization trauma.
Sensitization Trauma
When we experience chronic pain or symptoms, we can experience what we refer to as sensitization trauma. Sensitization trauma is trauma that occurs during the onset, progression, or relapse of chronic pain/symptoms, resulting in our nervous system having an overactive sympathetic (fight/flight) and/or dorsal vagal (freeze/shutdown) response. Unfortunately, sensitization trauma being untreated can result in chronic pain and symptoms worsening over time.
Sensitization trauma occurs because:
- We feel dysregulated by the onset, progression, or relapse of symptoms
- Fear, confusion, frustration, or hopelessness while trying to diagnose the problem and dealing with the medical system
- Stigma from medical practitioners or individuals in our lives (being mistreated or being made to feel “crazy”)
- The onset of symptoms occurring due to another health crisis or injury that caused a sense of high danger
- Scary physical procedures or surgeries
- Made worse if treatments weren’t helpful
- Significant reduction in ability and change in lifestyle
- Hope is gathered and broken by failed treatments or interventions
Releasing Sensitization Trauma
For many people with chronic pain and symptoms, sensitization trauma needs to be processed for symptoms to reduce or dissipate. At our clinic, we provide a somatic approach to clients to support them in healing their sensitization trauma. This can result in our chronic pain or symptoms reducing or dissipating.
If you are ready to begin your healing journey from trauma and chronic symptoms, reach out to one of our therapists to book a free 20-minute consultation.
Somatic Experiencing International (2021). Somatic Experiencing Beginner year Module 1.
Anda, R. F., Felitti, V. J., Bremner, J. D., Walker, J. D., Whitfield, C., Perry, B. D., Dube, S. R., & Giles, W. H. (2006). The enduring effects of abuse and related adverse experiences in childhood: A convergence of evidence from neurobiology and epidemiology. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience 256, 174-186.
Afari, N., Ahumada, S. M., Wright, L. J., Mostoufi, S., Golnari, G., Reis, V., & Cuneo, J. G. (2014). Psychological trauma and functional somatic syndromes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychosomatic medicine, 76(1), 2–11. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000000010
Bonaz, B., Sinniger, V., & Pellissier, S. (2016). Vagal tone: effects on sensitivity, motility, and inflammation. Neurogastroenterology and motility : the official journal of the European Gastrointestinal Motility Society, 28(4), 455–462. https://doi.org/10.1111/nmo.12817
Pellissier, S., Dantzer, C., Mondillon, L., Trocme, C., Gauchez, A. S., Ducros, V., Mathieu, N., Toussaint, B., Fournier, A., Canini, F., & Bonaz, B. (2014). Relationship between vagal tone, cortisol, TNF-alpha, epinephrine and negative affects in Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome. PloS one, 9(9), e105328. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0105328
Haber, Y. O., Chandler, H. K., & Serrador, J. M. (2016). Symptoms Associated with Vestibular Impairment in Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. PloS one, 11(12), e0168803. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0168803
Dana, D. (2019). 2-Day Workshop: Polyvagal Theory Informed Trauma Assessment and Interventions
