From 9/11 to Today: How Our Nervous Systems Hold on to Trauma

On this day of remembrance, we honor those lost and the lives forever changed by the events of 9/11. But beyond the history, there’s something profound about how our bodies hold on to trauma—whether it’s from a personal experience or a collective event that shook us all.🧠 The nervous system never forgets.When we experience trauma, the memory isn’t just stored in our minds. It’s etched into our neurology. The body encodes the sights, sounds, smells, and emotions—so much so that simply thinking about the event can recreate the same stress chemistry: adrenaline, cortisol, rapid heartbeat, and muscle tension.This is why anniversaries of traumatic events can feel heavy, even decades later. It’s why grief, anxiety, and fear can resurface—not because we’re “living in the past,” but because the nervous system replays the trauma as if it were happening again.The hopeful part? Neuroplasticity works both ways. Just as trauma can be etched into our nervous system, healing can also be rewired in. Through chiropractic adjustments, breathwork, movement, grounding practices, and intentional lifestyle choices, we can shift the body out of “fight or flight” and back into safety and resilience.In this episode of Chiropractic is Sexy, Dr. Paula Ruffin and Dr. Erica Peabody explore:How trauma imprints on the nervous system and creates long-term stress patterns.Why simply recalling a traumatic memory can trigger the same chemical cascade.The difference between honoring a memory and being trapped in it.Practical ways to help your nervous system feel safe again.💡 Remembering doesn’t have to mean reliving. Healing means we can honor the past while creating a healthier, more grounded present.📚 References & Suggested Readingvan der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.LeDoux, J.E. (2000). Emotion circuits in the brain. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 23(1), 155–184. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.neuro.23.1.155McEwen, B.S. (2007). Physiology and neurobiology of stress and adaptation: Central role of the brain. Physiological Reviews, 87(3), 873–904. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00041.2006Yehuda, R., & LeDoux, J. (2007). Response variation following trauma: A translational neuroscience approach to understanding PTSD. Neuron, 56(1), 19–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2007.09.006STAY CONNECTED with Dr. Ruffin!Free resources: https://drruffin.com/https://www.instagram.com/drpaularuffin/https://www.facebook.com/drpaularuffinCONNECT w Dr Peabody:https://www.cafeoflifefenton.com/meet-the-doctors/ https://www.instagram.com/drericapeabody/ https://www.facebook.com/erica.peabodyDisclaimer: The contents of this video are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor to replace medical care. The information presented herein is accurate and conforms to the available scientific evidence to the best of the author's knowledge as of the time of posting. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding any medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information contained in video content by Dr. Paula Ruffin DC and Dr. Erica Peabody DC!