I agree, that it can be a body memory, but some of those are not directly from the trauma itself.
For me, when I have emotional pain surface, it is usually related to a feeling also in my body. I believe that feeling was in your body at the same time as the emotion that was too overwhelming to process.
According to Louis Hay, Upper back discomfort/pain is from Feeling Unloved, Holding Back Love, and a Lack of Emotional Support.
In my experience because it is not overly painful, it is not the trauma, but the emotional life surrounding it. And this means you are now healing at a higher level on your Emotional Body.
I think that is a good sign of progress. Well done! It takes a strong breakthrough or two to get to this part.
When I felt the feeling of being unloved, it accompanied sadness or depression. I also felt it in my upper back, and at the same time a Heavy feeling in my whole upper body, and a weighted feeling in my guts. It was not a pleasant sensation.
I tried to flee from it, but I ended up crying and getting a long tearful hug from my spouse. I let it out and cried and cried. It was a good release. That feeling has not come back since.
(That was my inner child saying "My Daddy feels no Love for Me!" He hurts me instead.")
That was this winter. This spring I feel Depression and Love Hunger in my body. Fatigue. And I feel "My mother never wanted me and resented my presence." This is much more stuck with me. I need to turn and face the suffering that this has cost me in my life. I have not had time or energy to do this yet.
For me there is always the temptation to dissociate the pain, to flee it. Turning and asking "What am I feeling?" and turning and letting it wash over you fully until you clearly feel it and can express it does not feel good, but it gets it over with and unstuck.
