21/08/2026
PSYCHOEMOTIONAL TRAUMA CAN NEGATIVELY ALTER MITOCHONDRIAL ENERGY PRODUCTION AND CELLULAR RESILIENCE
I have just read a blog about how psychoemotional trauma can negatively alter mitochondrial energy production and cellular resilience. I found it very interesting since I specialise in working with people who have emotional issues such as anxiety stress, depression, pain, etc.
But I found the term 'Psychoemotional Trauma' - sounded pretty scary.... so what does it mean?
If there is one thing Westerners like, it is naming things. Of course this makes sense because we need to understand what that 'thing' is we are looking at - a river, a tree, introducing yourself to someone else. But in some areas of our life giving something a name - or label - can actually limit what it is we have named. Or in some cases cause fear, dislike and misunderstanding.
'Psycho' - what springs to mind? Well for me it would be someone who was displaying mental or dangerous traits. In psychology or psychiatry, "psycho-" means mental or relating to the mind. It has roots in the Greek word psyche, which means mind or soul. As a 5-Elemental Acupuncturist I can relate more to the Greek word psyche - working with the Mind, Body & Soul (or Spirit) of an individual. So I am going to use the word 'pysche' instead of psychological here....
What is emotional and psyche trauma?
Emotional and psyche trauma occurs when stressful events shatter your sense of being, leaving you with upsetting emotions, memories, and anxiety that won’t go away. It can also leave you feeling numb, disconnected, and unable to trust other people.
Traumatic experiences often involve a threat to life or safety, but any situation that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and isolated can result in trauma, even if it doesn’t involve physical harm. It’s not the objective circumstances that determine whether an event is traumatic, but your subjective emotional experience of the event. The more frightened and helpless you feel, the more likely you are to be traumatised.
Unexpected accidents, injury, violent attack, sexual abuse or long-term stressors, such as battling a life-threatening illness, or experiencing traumatic events that occur repeatedly, such as bullying, domestic violence, or childhood neglect and emotional abuse. Other causes, such as surgery, the sudden death of someone close, the breakup of a significant relationship, or a humiliating or deeply disappointing experience, especially if someone was deliberately cruel.
Emotional and psychel symptoms:
Shock, denial, or disbelief.
Confusion, difficulty concentrating.
Anger, irritability, mood swings.
Anxiety and fear.
Guilt, shame, self-blame.
Withdrawing from others.
Feeling sad or hopeless.
Feeling disconnected or numb.
Physical symptoms:
Insomnia or nightmares.
Fatigue.
Being startled easily.
Difficulty concentrating.
Racing heartbeat.
Edginess and agitation.
Aches and pains.
Muscle tension.
Not all individuals understand why they are feeling the way they do, "I have no idea why I feel the way I do". I always find the stronger an individual is the more difficult they find it to accept how their body, mind and spirit is reacting. They experience it has a weakness. During their consultation they will usually tell me about various stress or losses they have experienced over several years. I then spend time talking and pointing out everything they have been through over several years. Slowly I notice they begin to understand how they have arrived at this point. This is when working together they healing begins.
What you’ve been through didn’t just hurt your feelings. It affected your body at the cellular level. Your energy, your fatigue, your ability to bounce back — some of that is trauma living in your biology.
But here’s the good news : healing works on that level too.
Safety, connection, nervous system regulation — these things can restore what was damaged. You may feel broken, but you can recover. Recovery takes time, patience, and the right support. So STOP blaming yourself for feeling tired. STOP calling yourself weak for needing rest. Your body has been carrying more than anyone can see, including yourself!
If you, or you know of anyone who needs help with emotional issues please feel free to contact me for information on how Acupuncture can help you. My recommendations will also include other therapies to run alongside your Acupun
If you, or you know of anyone who needs help with emotional issues please feel free to contact me for information on how Acupuncture can help you. My recommendations will also include other therapies to run alongside your Acupuncture sessions.
You've got this....