Why Trauma Can Make the Body Feel Hot or Cold

Trauma and prolonged stress may influence the autonomic nervous system, circulation, sweating, breathing, muscle tension, sleep, and pain sensitivity. These changes may cause some people to experience flushing, chills, hot hands, cold feet, trembling, or physical pain. Learn how Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine explain these patterns and how acupuncture at Caulo Care in Forest Hills may be incorporated into supportive pain management.

By Dr. Phumlarp Caulo L.Ac., MAc., OM, DAHM

Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

Trauma does not affect only the mind. A frightening event, serious accident, injury, loss, abuse, or prolonged stress can influence the nervous system, circulation, muscles, digestion, sleep, and how the brain processes pain. Some people may consequently experience sudden warmth, flushing, sweating, chills, cold hands and feet, trembling, muscle tension, numbness, headaches, or widespread pain—even after the danger has passed.

These sensations are real, but feeling hot or cold does not necessarily mean that the body’s

core temperature has changed. Fever, infection, thyroid disease, anemia, hormonal changes, medication effects, and other medical conditions can cause similar symptoms and should be evaluated appropriately.

The Western Medicine and A&P Perspective

When the brain detects danger, the amygdala activates the hypothalamus and the sympathetic nervous system—the body’s “fight, flight, or freeze” response. Adrenaline and other stress hormones can increase heart rate, breathing, sweating, muscle tension, and alertness.

Changes in blood-vessel diameter may produce different sensations:

• Vasodilation can contribute to warmth, flushing, and sweating.

• Vasoconstriction redirects blood toward vital organs and may leave the hands, feet, or skin feeling cold.

• Rapid breathing may cause tingling, dizziness, numbness, or chills.

• Persistent muscle guarding may restrict comfortable movement and contribute to neck, shoulder, jaw, or back pain.

• Prolonged stress can disturb sleep and increase the nervous system’s sensitivity to pain.

The brain may continue reacting to reminders of trauma as though danger were still present. This does not mean the pain is imaginary. It means that the nervous system, emotions, muscles, and pain-processing pathways are closely connected.

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective

Traditional Chinese Medicine describes trauma as something that may disturb the Shen and disrupt the smooth movement of Qi and Blood. The attached educational material explains that an initial traumatic event may “scatter” Qi, disturb the Shen, and contribute to stagnation.

Depending on the individual pattern, stagnation may appear as Heat—such as restlessness, irritability, flushing, poor sleep, or a sensation of internal warmth. In other people, prolonged stress may weaken the body’s functional energy and present as Cold, fatigue, poor circulation, digestive weakness, or cold hands and feet.

TCM Heat and Cold are diagnostic patterns, not identical to fever, hypothermia, infection, or a specific Western medical diagnosis. A qualified practitioner must evaluate the whole pattern rather than treating one symptom in isolation.

Supportive Care at Home

Helpful daily practices may include:

• Maintain a regular sleep and waking schedule.

• Eat consistent, balanced meals containing vegetables, fruit, whole grains, healthy fats, and adequate protein.

• Drink enough water and limit excessive caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and energy drinks.

• Practice slow breathing with a comfortable, longer exhalation.

• Try gentle walking, stretching, tai chi, or other movement that feels safe.

• Use grounding techniques, such as noticing five things you can see, four you can feel, and three you can hear.

• Work with a licensed mental-health professional when memories, anxiety, nightmares, avoidance, or hypervigilance interfere with daily life.

No single food or vitamin has been proven to cure trauma or PTSD. Nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin D, magnesium, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein support normal nervous-system and general body functions, but supplements should be used only when appropriate. Excessive doses may cause side effects or interact with medications. Ask a physician or registered dietitian whether testing or supplementation is suitable for you.

From a TCM dietary perspective, food recommendations should be individualized. Someone showing a Cold pattern may tolerate warm, cooked meals better, while a person showing Heat signs may benefit from lighter, hydrating foods. However, extreme “heating,” restrictive, detoxifying, or cooling diets should be avoided without professional guidance.

What You Should and Should Not Do

Do not ignore persistent hot or cold sensations, assume that every symptom is caused by trauma, stop prescribed medication, or rely exclusively on acupuncture, herbs, vitamins, or food. Chinese herbal products should not be self-prescribed because they may interact with medications or be inappropriate for an individual’s condition.

Seek prompt medical attention for chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting, confusion, new weakness or numbness on one side, persistent fever, severe headache, suicidal thoughts, or rapidly worsening symptoms.

How Acupuncture at Caulo Care May Help

Acupuncture is not a substitute for medical evaluation or trauma-focused mental-health treatment. However, as part of an integrated care plan, acupuncture may help some patients manage certain types of chronic pain, muscle tension, headaches, neck or back discomfort, and stress-related physical symptoms. Treatment at Caulo Care is individualized according to the location of pain, medical history, symptom pattern, and sensitivity of each patient.

Our primary goal is to help reduce pain, release physical tension, support more comfortable movement, and create a calm environment in which the body can begin to recover. When necessary, we encourage coordinated care with physicians, mental-health professionals, physical therapists, and other specialists.

🔶🔷🔶🔷🔶🔷🔶🔷🔶🔷🔶🔷

By Dr. Phumlarp CauloL.Ac., MAc., OM, DAHM

Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

Caulo Care AcupunctureForest Hills, New York

🔖 By appointment only

📧 bookingcaulocare@gmail.com

🛜 www.caulocare.com

☎️ +1 (929) 269-4549

Educational Disclaimer

This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Health recommendations must be individualized, and the suggestions in this article may not apply to everyone. Please consult an appropriate medical specialist for diagnosis and medical advice.

References

1. National Institute of Mental Health. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

2. National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. PTSD: National Center for PTSD.

3. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Acupuncture: Effectiveness and Safety.

4. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Chronic Pain and Complementary Health Approaches.

5. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need to Know.

6. National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Fact Sheets.

7. Wright, Kirsteen. “Reliving the Trauma Memory Causing Heat and Wind” and “The Physiological Stages of Trauma,” from the educational material supplied for this article.

Keywords: trauma and body temperature, trauma-related pain, stress response, autonomic nervous system, fight flight freeze response, acupuncture for chronic pain, trauma-informed acupuncture, TCM Heat and Cold, acupuncture Forest Hills, acupuncture Queens NY, Caulo Care Acupuncture

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