The Body Keeps the Score, Unlocking the Healing Potential within


In the realm of emotional well-being, the conventional approach has often fixated on the mind, relegating the body to a secondary role. However, “The Body Keeps the Score,” a groundbreaking book by Dutch professor of psychiatry, Bessel van der Kolk, challenges this paradigm. Published in 2014, this transformative work sheds light on the intricate connection between emotional struggles and their manifestations in the physical realm.Van der Kolk urges a departure from the conventional notion of treating individuals as disembodied minds seeking solace through talk therapy. Instead, he proposes viewing the body as a profound score sheet of one’s emotional experiences. This shift in perspective opens up novel avenues for diagnosing and treating emotional distress.The book contends that emotional turmoil is not confined to the mind but intricately woven into physical expressions. From the way one sits and breathes to sleep patterns, digestion processes, and exercise habits, the body becomes a canvas where emotional narratives are vividly painted.Traditional talk therapy is augmented by the recommendation to incorporate physical activities under therapeutic guidance. For those haunted by the lingering effects of parental rage, activities such as kickboxing, karate, or competitive running become more than exercise — they become therapeutic tools for reclaiming one’s vitality.Van der Kolk delves into the profound stillness that trauma can imprint on the body. Individuals, shaped by tumultuous childhoods, may find themselves frozen, resistant to expressing exuberance or power. The book advocates for unconventional therapies like rhythmical chanting, drumming, or sports to unearth and release long-suppressed emotions.