The author first discusses a number of Freud’s body-related concepts, pointing out that as of 1920 Freud also describes the body as a memory for traumatic inscriptions and as of 1926 posits a defence structure that is corporeal in its organization. The author proposes the concept of “encapsulated engrams” to refer to defence structures of this kind revolving around the inhibition of a bodily impulse. The dysfunctional imbalance organises itself in the form of a foreign body within the body-self no longer susceptible of further symbolisation. Bion’s concept of the “beta-element” equally refers to sensory elements beyond the scope of the systems of representation. Encapsulated engrams take shape in the context of cumulative traumas and display a primary fusion between self and object. The therapist is dealing with a fragile self-boundary causing the patient to experience interpretations as invasive. To unblock encapsulated engrams, the author proposes an approach in which body feelings emerging in the chain of associations are understood as attempts to communicate. These are then contextualized with other bodily sensations. This enables reveries to ensue in the analysand’s associative thread and these reveries can then pave the way for further symbolisation. A case report illustrates these processes.