Plenty of us are physically carrying repressed emotions that have caused muscle tension and joint pain over time. These repressed emotions bury themselves within the nooks and crannies of our bodies without us even knowing it. In truth, this can go slightly unnoticeable for years,decades even, Some are completely oblivious to the blocked energy their muscles are bearing. This stagnant energy can be blamed for numerous ailments and health conditions that can affect the quality of life.
Our bodies are much smarter that we give it credit for. Realize that the body is map and stores every experience that you’ve endured. Your brain might not remember honey, but your body doesn’t forget.
Your body is an honest indicator for emotions and is equip at revealing trapped feelings and even traumatic memories. There’s no sense in ignoring, intellectualizing or suppressing how you feel, your body holds the truth.
If you are coping with chronic tension in your shoulders,neck, back, thighs, jaw, or any area of your body for that matter, this will help you figure out and understand the root of your pain.
Four factors affecting chronic pain;
Social conditioning, starts in early childhood and is reinforced throughout the rest of our lives by our parents, friends, teachers, family members, and society,. A lot of the muscle tension that we develop is the result of unspoken social beliefs that we were taught to adopt as a way of being likable or “acceptable” Many have learned to suppress our tears and sadness in order to not be a baby. Many of us were also taught that expressing anger is a bad thing as we were punished as children in attempts at expressing it. This form of conditioning grows stronger throughout adulthood, especially in in work environments where expressing anger is known as “unprofessional” and not ideals for our job security.
Trauma,Traumatic experiences can range from being spanked as a child to more extreme situations of violence .Trauma comes deliberately like rape or domestic abuse or accidental such a a car wreck or robbery.When these traumatic experiences are brushed under the rug,chronic fear can develop stress, and even moments of PTSD. This chronic anxiety, anger, and grief tend to get stored within the body causing muscle tension which contributes to other illnesses such as digestive disorders, mental illnesses, and cancer.
Psychological tension, is caused by our own perceptions, developing anxiety, frustration, sadness or anger. For example, we may develop psychological tension as a result of our thoughts regarding our lover (e.g. they will leave) or of us being late due to traffic (no bueno). We are used to the tendency to attach to these thoughts and take them seriously and its causing us psychological tension. The more negative, fearful, anxious our perspective is, the more tension our bodies will store.
Environmental stressors and habits, Living a sedimentary lifestyle is keep the negative energy stifled in your body. If you’re constantly sitting on your couch or working at a desk all day, this is probably you. The physical pain builds up because we aren’t even giving our muscles a chance to release the tension. Other habits such as lack of sleep, drugs, poor diets and environmental pollution tend to increase the likelihood of us establishing chronic muscle tension.
The following list are examples of chronic illnesses cause by emotional trauma
- Mood disorders (anxiety, depression, SAD)
- Joint pain and increase chance of injury
- (menstruation problems)
- Insomnia
- Skin problems (acne, psoriasis)
- Asthma and hayfever
- Headaches and migraines
- Palpitations and chest pain
- Nausea
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- GI issues (diarrhea, bloating, constipation, cysts)
- Hypertension/High blood pressure
- Sexual dysfunction (premature ejaculation, painful sex)
- Increased tendency towards addictive behavior
Most Common Types of muscle tension
1. Neck Tension = Fear and Repressed Self-Expression
Neck tension is often connected to a blocked throat chakra, causing inability to communicate clearly or be authentic around others. trust issues & fear can be stored in this area, This area is vulnerable and tension is a physical response to danger or unfamiliar environments. Adopt a non-judgmental mentality, Connect with your inner youth & play music you that lifts your spirits.
2. Shoulder Tension = Burdens and Responsibilities
When we feel that the weight of our stress is heavy, we tend to accumulate these feelings within our shoulders. Shoulder tension is connected to our social and emotional responsibilities, Many empaths, caretakers and anyone else who is a good listener tend to struggle with chronic shoulder muscle tension. Process your feelings in the moment, allow yourself to feel the grief, acknowledge your emotions, Journal it down.
3. Upper Back = Grief, Sorrow, and Sadness
Unexpressed and unreleased sadness tends to build up within the upper back region. As this area is close to the heart, it is also where emotions connected to heartbreak and loss are stored. For instance, if you carry around grief regarding a loved one or your family at large, you will likely feel tense in this area. Take a healing bath , add Epsom salt and light candles, float.
4. Middle Back = Insecurity and Powerlessness
Healing traditions such as reflexology link middle back pain to feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and insecurity. If you’re feeling unsupported by other people or life, you probably carry tension here.
5. Lower Back = Guilt, Shame, and Unworthiness
Lower back issues often correlate with feelings of low self-worth and lack of self-acceptance. Feelings such as guilt, shame, and even sexual inadequacy or trauma can be stored here as well. Strengthen that core with ab work and Get a massage.
6. Stomach = Inability to Process Emotions
If you can relate to the old phrase, “can’t stomach it” this is warning signs of stomach muscle tension. If your stomach feels stiff or sore, you might struggle to process both negative (or positive) emotions.
7. Inner Thighs = Fear of Vulnerability
If you are constantly feeling nervous & weary around others. Or even suffer with social anxiety, you might also have inner thigh pain. Because our legs are biologically programmed to run when we first spot danger, fear towards others is often stored here. Take ten minutes out of your day to meditate and breath. (4 in 4 hold 4 out)
8. Outer Thighs = Frustration and Impatience
How inattentive have you become? If you notice a pattern of idiotic choices in life, is the more likely that you have frustrated and impatient energy stored in your outer thighs. Our jobs and personal baggage contribute to tension in this area. Stretch your whole body, add yoga poses to your workout routine.
