The Body Keeps the Score

The Body Keeps the Score

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk examines how trauma embeds itself not only in memory but in the body, shaping behaviour, emotion, and physical health long after the event has passed. The book explores the profound link between mind and body, showing that trauma is not just a psychological wound but a physiological imprint. At its core, it reflects on how healing requires more than understanding — it requires restoring a sense of safety, connection, and ownership of one’s own body.

Van der Kolk’s writing is insightful and compassionate, blending neuroscience, clinical experience, and real-life accounts with clarity and depth. The narrative is structured with careful progression, guiding the reader through the evolution of trauma research and emerging therapeutic approaches such as EMDR, neurofeedback, and body-based practices. The tone is authoritative yet human, offering scientific understanding without losing sight of personal suffering. What makes the writing compelling is its balance — clinically precise, yet emotionally attuned.

By its conclusion, The Body Keeps the Score leaves a deep sense of respect for the resilience of the human mind and body. It does not offer easy resolutions but shows that healing is possible when the body is allowed to speak and the mind is taught to listen. The book’s enduring message is clear: trauma does not define a life, but it must be acknowledged, felt, and gently reprocessed for true recovery to begin. In its honesty and compassion, it stands as a landmark work on the science and soul of healing.