Hi Fern46. I am new here. I read your post and the article. It reminded me of van der Kolk's book on "The Body Keeps the Score" (though I have never read it ... yet) and ACE studies research (I have read a ton of those articles on adverse childhood experiences). Yes, there is a strong correlation between trauma/stress (including emotional trauma) and our bodies. This does not mean our fate is sealed by those predictions, however. We can heal our minds and our bodies at the same time, but it is a long and arduous process, or so it seems.

I have had brainspotting therapy that exacted similar memory flooding that you described. It is like emdr, I think. I did not do so well though. But I learned more about my pain and traumas. I also learned about what body parts tense up. My headaches worsen a few hours later, and then the fatigue settles in. I have irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue, which the VA asserts that they are connected to the military sexual trauma I had experienced. I have also had childhood and adulthood traumas outside of the military. All of those cascading, cumulative traumas took a toll on my physical health. Nevertheless, I do what I can to heal my body and my mind, face and contain without avoiding or denying, and grounding myself to good things within reach, sight, or sound.

I wish you well on your healing journey.