Many of my patients are surprised when certain bodily movements or physical releases trigger an emotional response. The brain and body do not act independently. There is a very real and amazing interconnection between the body-mind. A deeper understanding of its existence can provide us with a deeper understanding of ourselves.
As we maneuver through life, we will undoubtedly experience stressful or traumatic events. These experiences bring with them physiological responses as well as emotional responses. In order to cope, some of the issues that arise may not be overtly expressed or acknowledged. Ideally, we would be able to let go of the trauma and ease the stress response. But most of the time, we hold on to some of that trauma and the emotional baggage that comes with it. While emotions are made to be felt, certain emotions are uncomfortable to experience and so we try to suppress them. However, if emotions are not expressed, they have a way of staying with you physically.
The body doesn’t have the ability to express itself with words, so it responds with the only language it knows, physical discomfort. Your body carries with it a physical imprint of stressful or traumatic events and, if experienced again, similar memories or situations can trigger a physical response. When stress accumulates, it can distract you by creating separateness between the body and mind. When the mind cannot, or does not want to, deal with certain emotions, unexpressed feelings will manifest as tension in the body. In order to not “feel” the emotion, the connection between the nervous system and the brain gets disrupted. Tension in the nerves cause the joints of the spine to restrict movement and the surrounding muscles become stiff. As a result, the brain is no longer conscious of the undesired emotions and instead concentrates on the discomfort that has manifested in the body.
So the very stress or trauma that our comfort-seeking mind tries to avoid in the now can lead to cumulative, deeper tension or pain in the future. Particularly if there are certain circumstances or situations that constantly cause your body to tense or experience pain. Knowing that this is how our body communicates with our mind, becoming aware of how and where you hold tension or experience pain can trigger a deeper understanding of yourself and uncover potential for growth and healing.
When your body lets go and the mind is no longer distracted by the physical discomfort, it can open the space for a deeper sense of self awareness. At BodyMind Wellness Studio, we focus on optimizing the communication between the brain and the body (NeuroStructural Optimization). Using light touches at specific vertebral segments to ease tension within the spinal cord, the brain becomes aware of the tension within the joints and muscles, and initiates greater movement and deeper breath allowing for a release. Over time the body learns how to develop strategies to self-regulate and remembers how to heal. Releasing tension within the nervous system allows for optimal functioning both mentally and physically.
The next time you feel “your usual” aches and pains think about what emotions or memories may have triggered these physical symptoms.
“When the mind and the body work in accordance, the channel to your innermost self becomes clearer and more accessible.” (Dr. Julie Doobay)
Copyright Dr. Julie Doobay 2018
