The Hidden Health Issues Influencing Trauma Healing

For years, mental health practitioners have guided clients in trauma recovery that assumes the best way to do that is through emotional processing. 

But is recounting or recontextualizing experiences really objectively the best way to treat trauma? Underneath the stories, insights, and emotions, there are physical and biological forces driving the way we experience life on a fundamental level—forces that therapists, until recently, may have underestimated or overlooked entirely.

In recent years, a compelling new paradigm in trauma recovery has emerged. It suggests that healing is influenced as much by the state of our physical health as by our psychological readiness. This paradigm is rooted in the understanding that the nervous system—long recognized as central to how we process and respond to trauma—is deeply affected by physical factors like gut health, nutrient availability, and fascial health. These insights have given rise to an integrative approach that’s opening doors to more effective trauma recovery by directly addressing the “hidden health” factors that sustain cycles of emotional and physiological stress.

For practitioners, this new approach means seeing the nervous system not only as the body’s control center for stress but as a reflection of our broader health. It also means that the keys to breaking out of traumatic cycles may lie in places we never thought to look.

The Unseen Web of Trauma, the Gut Biome, and Nutritional Deficiencies

Consider the gut biome. This dense network of trillions of bacteria doesn’t just help digest food; it plays a pivotal role in how we feel and function emotionally. Researchers have found that gut health can significantly affect mood, anxiety, and even long-term mental health. A study published in Psychiatry Research showed that people with depression often have a lower diversity of gut microbiota, as well as a reduced presence of key bacterial strains that produce serotonin—a neurotransmitter that has a profound influence on mood and emotion (Clapp et al., 2017).

For trauma survivors, whose bodies often endure prolonged periods of fight-or-flight, this is a crucial insight. Chronic stress can disrupt the balance of beneficial gut bacteria, affecting everything from digestion to immunity, and, as we now understand, even mental health. A nervous system on high alert, shaped by trauma, can be both a cause and a consequence of poor gut health. Addressing this balance has allowed practitioners to help clients who haven’t seen success with traditional talk therapy alone.

Similarly, nutrient deficiencies can impair the nervous system’s ability to regulate mood and stress responses. Studies have shown that deficiencies in key nutrients like magnesium, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids can worsen symptoms of depression and anxiety. For instance, research from the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that low magnesium levels are associated with a 22% increase in depressive symptoms, an effect magnified in individuals with trauma-related stress (Tarleton et al., 2016). Ensuring clients maintain a healthy nutrient profile can thus become a vital part of treatment, equipping the nervous system to respond to stress more effectively.

Beyond Muscles: The Role of Fascial Health in Trauma Recovery

Fascia, the connective tissue encasing muscles, organs, and nerves, is another critical component of physical health linked to trauma recovery. The body holds memories of trauma in unexpected places, and fascial tension is one way the nervous system “remembers” stress. Physical therapists, bodyworkers, and somatic therapists have long noted how fascia seems to “lock in” certain emotions or memories—an observation that research is now beginning to back up. Fascial tension, which may accumulate in response to both physical injury and psychological stress, can create chronic pain, tension, and immobility, which, in turn, perpetuates stress signals to the brain.

A recent study in Frontiers in Psychology observed that fascial restrictions may play a role in sustaining high cortisol levels, the body’s main stress hormone. This finding is significant, as elevated cortisol is associated with impaired memory, concentration, and mood regulation (Schleip et al., 2021). For trauma survivors, whose systems are often dysregulated, resolving fascial restrictions can help reset their stress response, giving them a renewed capacity to navigate and eventually resolve traumatic experiences.

Building a New Paradigm of Care

So, what does all this mean for mental health practitioners? If we understand trauma recovery as involving not just the mind but the entire body, we’re compelled to adopt a new standard of care—one that incorporates practices from functional medicine, integrative health, and nervous system science. This new paradigm brings a refreshing lens to trauma therapy by grounding it in biological reality and, consequently, enhancing its impact.

To support the nervous system’s resilience and reduce trauma-related stress responses, here are three practical, science-backed interventions practitioners can suggest to clients:

1. Optimize Gut Health with Probiotics and Prebiotics: Encouraging clients to include more fermented foods, probiotics, and prebiotics in their diets can support a diverse microbiome, which is associated with improved mood and reduced anxiety. A 2020 study published in Gut Microbes found that people who supplemented with probiotics reported a 22% decrease in depressive symptoms compared to the control group (Wallace et al., 2020).

2. Encourage Nutrient-Rich, Anti-Inflammatory Diets: Supporting clients to incorporate foods rich in magnesium, B vitamins, and omega-3s can benefit mental health by nourishing the nervous system. Consuming nutrient-dense foods like leafy greens, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds helps stabilize mood, reduce inflammation, and improve neurotransmitter function—all of which make the nervous system more resilient to stress.

3. Introduce Gentle Fascia-Release Techniques: Gentle myofascial release exercises and practices like yin yoga or targeted bodywork can help release stored tension in the body. Over time, these interventions may reduce the body’s baseline level of stress, allowing for a more balanced and responsive nervous system.

Training for the Next Generation of Trauma-Informed Practitioners

The next evolution in trauma care lies at this intersection of mind and body, where mental health practitioners are beginning to understand the complex interplay between physical health and emotional resilience. Our nervous systems don’t operate in a vacuum; they are deeply impacted by the nutrients we absorb, the bacteria in our gut, and the tension held in our tissues. For those dedicated to advancing the field, this awareness presents a tremendous opportunity to break new ground in trauma recovery.

At the Institute of Integrative Trauma, we offer Core Skills Trauma Training, designed to give practitioners the insights and skills necessary to harness these connections in a therapeutic context. Our program goes beyond traditional modalities, training practitioners to recognize and address the hidden health factors that underlie trauma responses. With this integrative approach, therapists can support clients in achieving deeper, lasting transformation, bringing the best of modern science and ancient wisdom to the forefront of trauma care.

For mental health practitioners eager to explore a truly holistic approach to trauma, the future of nervous system care awaits. Join us in leading the way.