How Generational Trauma Can Manifest as Physical Pain

Some unfortunate misunderstandings about generational trauma can cause people to get “stuck” on certain ideas. One of those ideas is that the mental anguish of trauma can be passed down through birth. While certain beliefs and opinions that are strongly present in your family can absolutely impact you and future generations, generational trauma has a lot to do with the physical conditions of previous generations.

Generational trauma refers to generational cycles of malnutrition, poverty, sickness, substance dependency, and so much more. While these issues often accompany mental trauma, it’s also important to consider the impact of environmental or physical factors that could have an impact on your epigenetic makeup.

While generational trauma is absolutely a mental health issue, it often manifests itself as physical pain — especially for groups that have historically been subjected to systematic trauma. Let’s dive a little deeper into that idea and develop a deeper understanding of how the struggles of past family members can impact your relationship with pain.

How the Effects of Generational Trauma Are Perpetuated

In many generational trauma discussions, a commonly used example is the Holocaust. Multiple studies have been performed on trauma’s impact on families of Holocaust survivors. One study found that the children of 32 Jewish Holocaust survivors carried an increased rate of stress disorders, proving the importance of epigenetic makeup.

Of course, that’s a very specific example; everything from abuse to poor living conditions can be passed down from generation to generation. But how does this kind of trauma move forward? Trauma doesn’t leave a physical mark on a person’s genes. However, it can leave a permanent mark on their mind, and they can raise their children with that mark as a filter.

For example, a person who was abused as a child may end up creating dysfunctional family dynamics as an adult. This could include things like:

• Attachment issues;
• Codependency

Even a parent telling painful stories of family events and situations can leave a mark on younger generations, perpetuating a cycle of trauma and grief that can lead to issues with anxiety, depression, and, yes — physical pain.

The Stress-pain Connection

So, how exactly does generational trauma manifest itself as physical pain? A lot of it has to do with constant stress. When you’re exposed to the effects of generational trauma from a young age, you’re putting your mind and body under a lot of stress that it shouldn’t have to deal with. Some of the biggest physical manifestations of stress include:

• Difficulty breathing;
• Headaches;
• Muscle aches;
• Chest pains;
• Heartburn;
• Tense muscles.

You might also have a weakened immune system because of that stress, making you more susceptible to illness and infection.

Unfortunately, that can cause an even bigger negative cycle. When generational trauma causes both chronic stress and chronic pain, it can become difficult to trust your body. You might constantly be wondering if the pain you’re experiencing is due to stress, or if it’s something else. As you might expect, that ends up causing more stress and anxiety, prolonging both the pain and the worry and making it easier to pass those problems on to the next generation.

Aside from chronic pain, other adverse physical effects can stem from generational trauma, including insomnia, respiratory issues, hyperarousal, and an even greater risk of developing substance abuse issues.

How To Break the Cycle

The worst thing about generational trauma is that it doesn’t disappear on its own. It doesn’t really even become weaker from generation to generation because it impacts people so deeply.

If you want to be the one to break that cycle, you first have to recognize that you’re struggling with generational trauma. Understanding the physical effects can make a big difference since they’re so hard to ignore.

Once you’re ready to accept that you’re struggling with it, seeking the right kind of help and support is essential. Not all trauma is equal, and the unique thing about generational trauma is that it’s likely very specific to a certain group. For example, Black mental health issues may call for resources that meet their needs and understand the patient’s history. Those with issues stemming from childhood should talk to someone specializing in adolescent abuse. Relying on resources and people that are educated and sensitive to certain groups and subjects can make a big difference in breaking the cycle and moving forward.

Generational trauma can be challenging to accept and even harder to work through and heal from effectively. However, it’s not impossible with the right kind of help and if you’re willing to break away from specific ideas and beliefs your family has held tightly to for generations. Seeking out help doesn’t mean you’re betraying your family or disregarding what they’ve been through. Instead, it means you’re trying to protect your family’s future and spare your children and their children from the physical and mental manifestations of epigenetic trauma.

Published by International Pain Foundation, Team iPain, iPain Blog