"I Am In A Lot Of Pain" ... The Importance of Treating Trauma

How Many Years of Life Are Lost Due to Trauma?

Trauma—whether physical or psychological—has a profound impact on our health and lifespan. It’s startling how many years of life can be lost to injuries, adverse experiences, or the long-term effects of stress and trauma on the body. As homeopaths and holistic practitioners, and as survivors, understanding these statistics deepens our commitment to recovery and helping people recover and thrive. Let’s explore what the research tells us and how approaches like homeopathy and somatic breathwork can make a profound, longterm difference for survivors.

Physical Trauma

Physical injuries from accidents, violence, or war are a leading cause of premature death.

• Global Impact: The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that injuries account for over 5 million deaths annually, representing 9% of global mortality. People who die from physical trauma lose an average of 30–40 years of potential life, as these incidents often affect younger individuals.

• Road Traffic Accidents: Road traffic injuries are a significant contributor, with each fatality resulting in an average loss of 25–30 years of life.

• Violence and War: Interpersonal violence or conflict-related injuries lead to staggering losses of 20–50 years of life on average, depending on the age of the individuals involved and the severity of their circumstances.

Homeopathy can help with healing on a physical and psychological level. Somatic work and breathwork are additional modalities that can also help with PTSD that may result from traumatic events.

Psychological Trauma

Psychological trauma, such as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) or PTSD, has far-reaching effects on health and longevity.

• Adverse Childhood Experiences: Research shows that individuals with high ACE scores—resulting from experiences of abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction—are at a much higher risk of chronic diseases and early death. On average, these individuals can lose 10–20 years of life expectancy. This is such a sad statistic. The damage done continues to impact them throughout their live, lowering quality of life and then sadly causing premature death.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Chronic PTSD is associated with increased rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other illnesses. Studies suggest it can reduce life expectancy by 7–11 years.

What Can Be Done?

Trauma doesn’t have to dictate the future. There are powerful tools available to support healing and restore balance—both physically and emotionally. Homeopathy has a powerful role to play on all three planes; then mental, emotional and physical. Somatic breathwork can help to process the trauma energy retained in the body. Putting homeopathy and somatic breathwork together can lead to full recovery, even where the person has suffered adverse childhood experiences.

Request a referral to my team.

Homeopathy and Trauma Recovery

Homeopathy is uniquely positioned to address both the physical and emotional effects of trauma. Remedies can support the body’s natural healing processes, reduce the burden of old injuries, and help individuals release emotional imprints of traumatic events.

• For Physical Trauma: Remedies like Arnica montana (for shock, bruising, and tissue damage), Hypericum (for nerve pain), and Ruta graveolens (for tendon and ligament injuries) can provide significant relief and promote healing.

• For Emotional Trauma: Remedies such as Ignatia amara (for grief and loss), Aconitum napellus (for shock and panic), and Staphysagria (for emotional wounds and anger) help individuals process and move through their experiences. There are also a number of deep acting gem remedies, like rose quartz, emerald and pearl, which can act deeply on the emotional side.

• Chronic Trauma: Constitutional remedies address deeper patterns, strengthening the vital force and reducing long-term health impacts from unresolved trauma.

Somatic Breathwork for Healing

Trauma lives not just in the mind but in the body. Somatic breathwork is an extraordinary tool to release stored tension and bring the nervous system back into balance. It works by:

1. Releasing Stuck Energy: Trauma often causes a “freeze” response, leaving energy locked in the body. Conscious breathing helps release this energy, restoring flow and vitality.

2. Regulating the Nervous System: By activating the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) response, breathwork calms the system and fosters a sense of safety.

3. Building Emotional Resilience: Breathwork encourages mindfulness and self-awareness, allowing individuals to process and integrate their experiences without becoming overwhelmed.

A Holistic Approach to Trauma

While statistics about trauma’s impact can feel overwhelming, I believe the human body and spirit are remarkably resilient and that combining homeopathy with somatic breathwork provides a comprehensive path to healing:

• Homeopathy supports the innate wisdom of the body, addressing the unique needs of each person and fostering both physical and emotional recovery.

• Breathwork empowers individuals to reconnect with their bodies, releasing the burdens of trauma and creating space for growth and resilience.

Sources and Further Reading

1. World Health Organization (WHO), Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023: Highlights the years of life lost to injuries, particularly from road traffic accidents.

2. Felitti, V. J., Anda, R. F., et al. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study: Foundational research showing how childhood trauma impacts long-term health and life expectancy.

3. van der Kolk, B. The Body Keeps the Score: An essential resource on how trauma affects the body and the importance of somatic therapies.

4. Sackett DL, et al. Life expectancy and trauma: Research on the link between PTSD and chronic disease leading to premature mortality.

5. Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute: Resources on the role of body-based therapies in trauma recovery.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with the effects of trauma, I encourage you to explore these holistic approaches. They offer a path toward reclaiming health, vitality, and joy—no matter what challenges the past has held. Request a referral to Wren Lloyd's team by clicking the logo below.

Very best wishes
Wren.
x