Struggling to Heal? Why Your Body Is Storing ACEs — and What to Do Next

If you feel like you're doing "all the right things" but still aren't healing—physically or emotionally—you're not imagining it. For many people, the missing piece is unresolved ACEs.

ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) are stressful or traumatic events that happen before age 18. These can include abuse, neglect, household dysfunction, substance misuse in the home, parental mental illness, or chronic conflict. Decades of research show that ACEs don't just affect childhood—they can shape your stress response, immune system, and overall health for years to come.

The good news? Understanding how ACEs affect your body gives you clear clinical next steps toward healing.

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What Are ACEs and Why Do They Matter?

The original ACEs study by the CDC and Kaiser Permanente found a strong link between early adversity and adult health problems. The higher someone's ACE score, the greater their risk for:

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Autoimmune disorders
• Depression and anxiety
• Substance use disorders
• Chronic pain
• Sleep problems

This does not mean illness is inevitable. It means the body adapts to early stress in ways that can later become hard on your system.

ACEs change how your stress response works. When a child lives in unpredictable or unsafe conditions, their nervous system may stay on high alert. That constant activation can affect:

• Hormone balance (especially cortisol)
• Inflammation levels
• Immune function
• Brain development
• Emotional regulation

Over time, the body may begin to "store" the impact of ACEs in patterns of tension, inflammation, and stress reactivity.

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What Does It Mean That the Body "Stores" ACEs?

The phrase "the body keeps the score" reflects a real biological process. Stress isn't just psychological—it's physiological.

When stress is ongoing:

• The sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight) becomes overactive.
• The parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest) struggles to engage.
• Stress hormones remain elevated.
• Inflammatory pathways increase.

If these patterns begin in childhood, they can become the body's "default setting."

This can show up as:

• Constant muscle tension
• Digestive problems
• Fatigue despite normal lab work
• Headaches or migraines
• Sensitivity to criticism or conflict
• Feeling "on edge" even when life is stable

You may intellectually know you're safe now—but your nervous system hasn't fully caught up.

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Why Healing Can Feel So Hard

Many adults with high ACEs say things like:

• "I've been in therapy, but my body still reacts."
• "I know my childhood is over, but I still feel stuck."
• "I get sick more often than other people."
• "I can't relax, even on vacation."

That's because healing ACEs isn't just about insight. It's about nervous system regulation and physical health support.

Importantly, ACEs can increase the risk of developing stress-related conditions where emotional or behavioral symptoms arise in response to identifiable stressors. If you're struggling with persistent symptoms after a major life change or stressor and want to understand what might be happening, you can use a free AI-powered symptom checker for Adjustment Disorder to help clarify your experience before speaking with a healthcare provider.

Screening tools don't replace medical care—but they can give you clarity and language for your next conversation with a clinician.

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Clinical Next Steps: What Actually Helps?

Healing from ACEs requires a multi-layered approach. Below are evidence-informed next steps that physicians, psychologists, and trauma specialists commonly recommend.

1. Trauma-Informed Medical Care

Not all healthcare is trauma-informed. A trauma-informed clinician:

• Understands the long-term impact of ACEs
• Screens for stress-related health conditions
• Avoids dismissing symptoms as "just anxiety"
• Works collaboratively rather than authoritatively

If you have a history of ACEs, let your doctor know. It changes how symptoms are interpreted and treated.

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2. Nervous System Regulation

Because ACEs dysregulate the stress response, healing often begins with calming the nervous system.

Evidence-supported approaches include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
• Somatic therapies
• Mindfulness-based stress reduction
• Trauma-informed yoga
• Breathing exercises that lengthen the exhale

These methods help retrain your body to recognize safety.

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3. Address Inflammation and Physical Health

ACEs are associated with chronic inflammation. A physician may recommend:

• Screening for metabolic markers (blood sugar, lipids)
• Checking inflammatory markers when appropriate
• Reviewing sleep quality
• Treating untreated pain conditions
• Addressing gut health concerns

Lifestyle strategies that support recovery include:

• Consistent sleep routines
• Moderate physical activity (not overtraining)
• Balanced nutrition
• Reducing alcohol and nicotine use

This is not about perfection. It's about stabilizing the system.

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4. Social Connection

Isolation reinforces stress patterns. Research consistently shows that safe, supportive relationships buffer the impact of ACEs.

Protective factors include:

• At least one trusted person
• Community involvement
• Support groups
• Healthy intimate relationships

Connection signals safety to the nervous system in ways logic alone cannot.

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5. Evaluate for Co-Occurring Conditions

Sometimes what looks like "stored trauma" is actually an untreated condition that needs medical care.

Your clinician may screen for:

• Major depressive disorder
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• PTSD
• Adjustment Disorder
• Thyroid disorders
• Autoimmune disease
• Sleep apnea

Addressing these directly can dramatically improve how you feel.

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Can You Fully Heal From ACEs?

Research shows that the brain and body remain adaptable throughout life. This is called neuroplasticity.

Even with high ACE scores, people can:

• Reduce inflammation
• Improve emotional regulation
• Lower cardiovascular risk
• Build secure attachments
• Develop resilience

ACEs increase risk—they do not determine destiny.

The earlier healing work begins, the better. But meaningful recovery is possible at any age.

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When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

While stress-related symptoms are common, some signs require urgent care.

Speak to a doctor immediately if you experience:

• Chest pain or shortness of breath
• Thoughts of harming yourself or others
• Sudden neurological symptoms (confusion, weakness, slurred speech)
• Severe abdominal pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent fever

Never assume serious symptoms are "just stress." Get evaluated.

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A Balanced Perspective

It's important not to pathologize normal stress. Everyone has adversity. Not everyone develops health problems.

But if you have multiple ACEs and feel stuck in survival mode, that is not weakness. It's biology.

The body adapted to protect you.

Now the work is gently teaching it that protection no longer requires constant alarm.

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Practical First Steps You Can Take This Week

If this resonates, consider starting here:

• Schedule a primary care visit and mention your ACE history.
• Explore a trauma-informed therapist.
• Begin a 5-minute daily breathing practice.
• Improve sleep consistency.
• Take a brief online symptom screen to clarify what you're experiencing.
• Reach out to one safe person and share honestly.

Small steps compound.

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Final Thoughts

If you're struggling to heal, your body may not be "broken." It may be carrying the imprint of ACEs.

Understanding this shifts the narrative from self-blame to science.

Healing from ACEs requires:

• Nervous system regulation
• Medical evaluation
• Psychological support
• Social connection
• Consistent, realistic lifestyle changes

Most importantly, don't do this alone. Speak to a qualified healthcare professional about persistent, worsening, or potentially serious symptoms. If something feels life-threatening, seek emergency care immediately.

Your past shaped your stress response—but it does not have to define your future health.