Those with more ACEs are MUCH more prone to chronic health issues. In fact, in all my years of coaching others, it’s one of the number one drivers of chronic symptoms, addiction, and mental health issues—and it’s backed by data. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can significantly shape our health and well-being, but they don’t have to define us. Healing from the effects of trauma is not only possible, but it’s also one of the most empowering journeys we can take.
What Are ACEs and Why Do They Matter?
ACEs are potentially traumatic events that occur during childhood, such as abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction. Research shows that the more ACEs you have, the higher your risk for chronic health issues like heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune conditions, and even mental health challenges like anxiety and depression.
It’s not just about what happened—it’s about how those experiences impacted your nervous system and your body’s ability to regulate itself. Trauma isn’t just a memory of the event; it’s what gets stuck inside you and affects how your body functions. When the nervous system becomes dysregulated, it can lead to a cascade of issues across other systems, including the immune, digestive, and hormonal systems.
How to Take Your ACE Score
The ACE questionnaire is a tool to help you understand your risk factors. It asks about 10 types of childhood trauma, such as physical or emotional abuse, neglect, and household challenges like addiction or incarceration. For each “yes” answer, you score one point.
Take the ACE questionnaire HERE
What Your Results Mean
If your ACE score is high, it’s an opportunity to explore how past experiences may have shaped your body and mind. But your past doesn’t have to dictate your future. Healing isn’t about blaming or reliving the past; it’s about understanding what happened inside you as a result of those experiences and learning how to heal your nervous system.
I’ve coached so many people with high ACE scores—myself included—who are now healthy and thriving. The common thread? They’ve committed to doing the deeper work and have made healing a lifestyle.
While a high ACE score can indicate greater risk, it’s not a life sentence. It’s simply a tool for awareness, not a predictor of your future. Our past does not have to define us, but if we want to break free from its grip, we must be willing to show up for ourselves and embrace the healing journey. Healing is always possible, and the results are life-changing when we choose to prioritize this work. You are capable of creating a future full of health, joy, and freedom.
Healing Trauma: It’s About What Happened Inside You
Dr. Gabor Maté, a leading expert in trauma healing, explains that healing isn’t about going back and revisiting every traumatic moment. Instead, it’s about addressing the imprints those experiences left on your nervous system and how they affect you now. Trauma keeps us stuck in a survival state, and over time, because the nervous system controls every system in the body, when it’s not functioning well, all other systems become compromised. This dysregulation is one of the main drivers behind chronic health issues, affecting not only our physical health but also every other aspect of our lives.
When we heal the nervous system, we allow our body’s systems to come back online. A healthy nervous system supports:
- Immune function: Reducing chronic inflammation and autoimmune responses.
- Digestive health: Easing issues like IBS or gut dysbiosis.
- Mental clarity: Calming anxiety, depression, and brain fog.
- Hormonal balance: Supporting better sleep, energy, and overall well-being.
Healing isn’t about fixing something that’s broken. It’s about returning to a state of safety and balance so the body can do what it naturally knows how to do—heal.
Your Past Does Not Define You
It’s essential to remember that healing doesn’t mean you’re erasing your past. It’s about creating a new relationship with yourself in the present. By focusing on practices that regulate the nervous system, not only are you engaging in one of the best preventative health strategies, but you can also heal from just about anything!
The effects of trauma can feel overwhelming, but they’re not permanent. With time, care, and consistency, you can heal. You’re not broken. You’re a human who deserves to feel safe, whole, and alive. And when you take the steps to heal your nervous system, you’re not just changing your life—you’re also breaking cycles for future generations.
Healing from trauma is one of the most meaningful and life-giving things you can do. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. Because when your nervous system finds safety again, everything else can begin to fall into place. Your body, your mind, and your spirit all have the capacity to heal and thrive.
