When Pain Isn’t Just Physical: Understanding Somatic Symptoms

Introduction: The Body’s Mysterious Messages

You’ve been to the doctor. Tests are clear. Bloodwork’s normal. Yet the fatigue, pain, or digestive issues remain. You’re told it’s “just stress,” but you still feel like something is very wrong. Sound familiar?

This is the reality for many people living with somatic symptoms, physical symptoms that have no identifiable medical cause, but are very real and often debilitating. The phrase “It’s all in your head” does a disservice to people experiencing real pain that stems from emotional distress or unresolved trauma.

At Inner Summits, we specialize in helping clients navigate these complex overlaps between emotional well-being and physical symptoms. Let’s unpack what somatic symptoms are, why they occur, and how therapy, especially trauma-informed therapy, can help bring lasting relief.

What Are Somatic Symptoms?

Somatic symptoms are physical symptoms that arise from psychological factors rather than clear physiological ones. That means your body is sending pain signals, but not because of a broken bone or an infection, it’s because something is happening emotionally or psychologically that your body is trying to process.

Common somatic symptoms include:

• Chronic pain (especially back, neck, or abdominal pain)
• Fatigue and sleep disturbances
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Shortness of breath or heart palpitations
• Headaches or migraines

These symptoms are often persistent and don’t respond to standard medical treatment, leaving individuals feeling frustrated, unheard, and sometimes even gaslighted by the healthcare system.

The Emotional Roots of Physical Pain

One of the most overlooked causes of somatic symptoms is emotional pain. When emotions like grief, anxiety, fear, or unresolved trauma aren’t processed, the body can hold onto them. Over time, these emotional burdens can translate into physical discomfort.

As Dr. Bessel van der Kolk famously states, “The body keeps the score.” Our nervous systems are finely tuned instruments. When we’re under stress or have experienced trauma, the nervous system can get stuck in a hypervigilant state, commonly known as fight, flight, or freeze.

This dysregulation impacts how the body functions: digestion slows, muscles tense, sleep is disturbed, and pain thresholds lower. Over time, this can manifest as real, ongoing physical symptoms.

Trauma: The Silent Catalyst

Many people experiencing somatic symptoms have a history of trauma, even if they don’t immediately recognize it as such. Trauma isn’t limited to catastrophic events like war or natural disasters. It can include:

• Emotional neglect
• Chronic stress in childhood
• Abusive relationships
• Bullying or social exclusion
• Witnessing violence

Trauma affects the brain’s wiring and the nervous system’s regulation. The result? Your body remains in a prolonged state of alertness, and that internal pressure has to go somewhere, often, into the body as pain or illness.

The Role of the Nervous System

The human nervous system is a complex network designed to keep us safe. It consists of two primary branches:

• The Sympathetic Nervous System, which prepares the body for action (fight or flight)
• The Parasympathetic Nervous System, which calms the body (rest and digest)

In a healthy state, we flow between these two systems. But trauma can hijack this balance, locking the body in a state of hyperarousal or shutdown. This is where somatic symptoms often begin to surface.

If your nervous system believes you’re in danger, even when you’re not, the body reacts with real, physical responses: muscle tightness, fatigue, gastrointestinal issues, and more.

Why Traditional Medicine Falls Short

People with somatic symptoms often bounce between specialists: neurologists, gastroenterologists, rheumatologists, only to be told nothing’s wrong. This medical model, while critical for diagnosing disease, often doesn’t account for the mind-body connection.

That’s where therapy comes in. Mental health professionals are uniquely trained to help clients explore emotional and psychological root causes of physical symptoms. At Inner Summits, we approach somatic symptoms not as a “problem to fix” but as a message from your body asking for attention, compassion, and healing.

Healing Through Therapy: What You Can Expect

At Inner Summits, our therapists are trauma-informed and skilled in modalities that integrate both emotional and physical healing. Here’s how therapy can help with somatic symptoms:

1. Creating Safety

Before healing can begin, your nervous system needs to feel safe. We provide a compassionate and non-judgmental space to explore what’s going on in your body and mind.

2. Understanding Triggers

Through guided conversations, you’ll begin to notice patterns, when symptoms spike, what memories or emotions are tied to them, and how they relate to past experiences.

3. Processing Trauma

Using tools like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Somatic Experiencing, or Internal Family Systems (IFS), you’ll safely process stuck emotional material that may be manifesting physically.

4. Regulating the Nervous System

We’ll teach you tools like breathwork, grounding exercises, and mindful body awareness to help regulate your nervous system and reduce symptom severity.

5. Building Resilience

Ultimately, our goal is to help you reconnect with your body in a way that feels safe and empowering, so you’re not just symptom-free, but more resilient overall.

Real Healing Is Possible

One of the most powerful moments in therapy is when a client says, “I had no idea my body was trying to protect me.” That’s the essence of somatic symptoms: your body isn’t broken, it’s talking. And when we learn how to listen with compassion and curiosity, deep healing becomes possible.

You don’t have to live in a state of mystery pain or emotional fog. If you’ve felt dismissed, confused, or overwhelmed by symptoms that no doctor can explain, it’s time to consider that the root might not be physical, but the solution can be holistic.

Conclusion: Your Body Isn’t Lying, It’s Communicating

Somatic symptoms are real. They are valid. And they are treatable. Understanding the emotional underpinnings of physical pain opens the door to healing that is sustainable, grounded, and empowering.

If you’re ready to explore what your body might be trying to tell you, Inner Summits is here to walk that journey with you. Our team of compassionate, skilled therapists understands the deep connection between the mind and body—and we’re ready to help you feel better, inside and out.

Don’t wait to feel better. Contact Inner Summits today and start your path toward integrated, whole-person healing.