Books on Physical Trauma & Healing

Here are 10 books that address experiencing physical trauma and provide guidance on healing, resilience, and reclaiming well-being, particularly relevant for Black, Indigenous, and women of color:

Books on Physical Trauma & Healing

1. "The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma" – Dr. Bessel van der Kolk

   • A foundational book on how trauma is stored in the body and how to heal through somatic practices, movement, and mindfulness.

2. "My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies" – Resmaa Menakem

   • Focuses on how racial trauma is held in the body and provides somatic practices to release and heal from generational pain.

3. "What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing" – Dr. Bruce D. Perry & Oprah Winfrey

   • A compassionate look at how trauma shapes the brain and behavior, offering strategies for healing and personal growth.

4. "The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity" – Dr. Nadine Burke Harris

   • Explores how childhood trauma (ACEs—Adverse Childhood Experiences) impacts long-term health and how to break the cycle.

5. "Black Woman’s Guide to Healing from Trauma & Psychological Abuse" – Dr. Shavonne J. Moore-Lobban

   • A culturally sensitive guide addressing trauma, self-care, and mental wellness tailored for Black women.

6. "It Didn’t Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle" – Mark Wolynn

   • Explores how generational trauma affects individuals and offers tools for breaking free from inherited pain.

7. "Sacred Woman: A Guide to Healing the Feminine Body, Mind, and Spirit" – Queen Afua

   • Blends spiritual, physical, and holistic practices for healing, specifically tailored to Black women.

8. "Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto" – Tricia Hersey

   • Encourages rest as a radical form of healing, particularly for Black women and those carrying generational trauma.

9. "The Complex PTSD Workbook: A Mind-Body Approach to Regaining Emotional Control and Becoming Whole" – Arielle Schwartz

   • Provides actionable exercises for those healing from complex PTSD, including trauma stored in the body.

10. "Come As You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life" – Emily Nagoski

    • Addresses the impact of trauma on sexuality, pleasure, and body connection, offering strategies for healing.