Stress is a common cause of stiff neck and shoulder pain, which can be triggered or exacerbated by various emotional states. Stress is the most common factor, as it affects both physical and emotional health. When experiencing pain in the neck, it may be due to overly burdened shoulders, cervical vertebrae, anterior neck flexors, posterior neck extensors, or simply being stuck in emotions.
Nine common types of muscle pain and their underlying emotions are:
- Shoulder Tension = Burdens and Responsibilities
- Neck Tension = Fear and Repressed Self-Expression
- Neck Tension is often connected to throat chakra issues such as achy, sore, or painful areas.
To address the emotional component of neck pain, it is essential to identify the specific emotions you may be experiencing. Emotional states such as anxiety, anger, sadness, and fear can cause muscles in the shoulders to tense up and ache. To release the emotional pain that’s causing shoulder pain, there are several ways to do so.
Muscle tension is a reflex reaction to stress, both physical and emotional, and is essentially the body’s way of guarding against injury and pain. Neck and shoulder tension are intimately tied to topics like stress, trauma, anxiety, and the trapezius muscle, which extends down the back of the neck and into the upper spine.
Depression and anxiety have been significantly linked with increasing levels of neck pain, and deficits in social support have been associated with neck pain. Muscles and fascia play a significant role in our emotional states, and tension in these tissues can perpetuate feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression.
Stress or anxiety-related tension can lead to chronic pain in the neck and shoulders, which can be relieved with stretching or yoga. Stress and emotion are the silent causes of sometimes intractable back and neck pain, which can arise from sudden emotional strain or develop under the radar.
📹 How to Release Emotions Trapped in Your Body 10/30 How to Process Emotions Like Trauma and Anxiety
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How To Release Stress From Neck And Shoulder?
To relieve shoulder and neck tension, start with deep breathing, rolling your shoulders in circles for 30 to 45 seconds. Stress management is essential for alleviating neck and shoulder pain. Effective methods include yoga, stretches, warm compresses, and breathing exercises. The "Thread the Needle" stretch deepens relief in those areas. Additionally, maintaining a positive mood can aid in tension reduction. Quick fixes include deep breathing for 30 seconds to a minute when feeling tense. Long-term solutions involve lifestyle changes, such as improved posture and regular stretching. Here are five daily stretches to address tightness: Neck stretch, Head turn, Head tilt, Chin tuck, and Shoulder rolls. Gentle techniques like the neck release involve lowering your chin to your chest and tilting your head to each side. Hot or cold therapy can also alleviate discomfort, with heat increasing blood flow and ice reducing stiffness. To maintain a relaxed posture, ensure you’re not forcing yourself straight but allowing your body to align naturally. Alongside these suggestions, considering therapy or support groups, meditation, and enlisting help from friends can further alleviate stress-related neck pain. This article provides insights into various exercises, stretches, and strategies to combat stress-induced tension effectively.
Is Your Shoulder Tension A Symptom Of Stress?
Tension in the shoulders, particularly along the trapezius muscle group, is often linked to stress but encompasses more than just that. This tightness, frequently symptomatic of anxiety, arises when muscles contract, especially in the neck and shoulders. Stress-induced shoulder pain responds well to relaxation techniques such as yoga and stretching, yet it can also signify deeper physical, energetic, and emotional issues. The neck stretch, for instance, is a valuable method to alleviate tension.
Ignoring shoulder discomfort can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility, and serious health issues. The tightness in your shoulders may reflect your body's fight-or-flight response to stress, often occurring alongside episodes of anxiety. Symptoms can manifest seemingly without reason, driven by emotional or mental anxiety, which impacts the muscles and nerves in the area. To effectively reduce shoulder tension, one must address stress while simultaneously managing its physical symptoms.
Chronic stress may trigger inflammation, resulting in stiffness or a "frozen" shoulder. Fortunately, stretching and yoga can help alleviate this pain. The relationship between stress, anxiety, and shoulder tension is complex; prolonged stress keeps muscles contracted, leading to discomfort. Acknowledging these stress-related symptoms is essential for overall well-being, as frequent stress can contribute to significant back and shoulder pain.
What Emotions Are Tied To The Neck?
Depression and anxiety are significantly associated with neck pain, alongside deficits in social support. People often touch or cover their necks in response to feelings of insecurity, fear, or stress. Tension in the neck can arise from various emotional states, with different body areas linked to specific emotions due to cultural, psychological, and physiological factors. Neck pain may signal deeper emotional issues, such as past trauma or negative experiences, manifesting through one's posture and physical behavior.
The neck, shoulders, and upper back often store unexpressed emotions, burdened by the weight of responsibilities and struggles. In Chinese medicine, emotions are connected to physical health, suggesting emotional well-being directly influences physical symptoms.
Neck tension can represent fear, anxiety, and suppressed self-expression, often a response to perceived danger or stress in unfamiliar environments. Additionally, poor posture and workplace habits contribute to neck discomfort. Tension indicates unprocessed emotions, particularly in the throat chakra, which governs speech and expression. Struggles with self-expression or emotional release can lead to chronic neck pain.
Notably, the first and second cervical vertebrae relate to emotional states like fear and forgiveness. Therefore, understanding the mind-body connection is essential, emphasizing that emotional stress is a legitimate cause of physical discomfort, warranting attention and medical treatment.
How To Release Trauma From Neck And Shoulder?
To relieve neck and shoulder tension, start with simple exercises. Tuck your chin to your chest, then turn your head toward each shoulder for three seconds, repeating five times. Acknowledging trapped emotions and exploring trauma release practices can also help. Self-myofascial release (SMR) techniques are effective for neck pain, targeting upper body muscles to alleviate discomfort. Somatic release takes a holistic approach to healing, emphasizing the mind-body connection to release stored tension. Shoulder stretches directly target muscle tightness. Incorporating calming exercises, such as those inspired by the Feldenkrais Method, can reset posture and release tension.
Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) offer practical ways to foster healing, including ankle, calf, and upper leg stretches. TRE promotes natural shaking mechanisms to relieve tension and soothe the nervous system. Simple neck and shoulder stretches can mitigate tightness and headaches, while mindfulness practices, regular exercise, and yoga contribute to overall well-being. Breathing exercises also relieve tension. Basic treatments like ice packs or heat therapy can alleviate mild pain, alongside over-the-counter medication.
Maintaining a relaxed posture while sitting supports spinal alignment. For chronic issues, professional physical therapy is highly effective in treating persistent tension and pain in the neck and shoulders.
How Do You Release Emotions From Your Shoulders?
To alleviate tension in the neck and shoulders, gently shake your head side to side or in circles, holding the position for a minute. To address emotional pain, particularly in the lower back related to anger, inhale deeply and shrug your shoulders towards your ears. Acknowledge and connect with trapped emotions to facilitate release. Engaging in practices to process trauma can also be beneficial. Emotions manifest physically, with shame residing at a low vibration and anger affecting the lower back.
Releasing emotional pain can involve various approaches—acknowledgment of feelings is crucial, as is embracing positive emotions such as happiness and love. Tension in the shoulders may stem from deeper emotional imbalances, necessitating the replacement of fear with peace. Techniques like deep breathing enhance bodily functions, relieving anxiety. Stretching, such as extending one arm across the chest and using the opposite hand to pull it closer, coupled with mindful movement, can further alleviate tension.
Exercise serves as a cathartic release by allowing expressions of anger or nervous energy. Engaging in solitary time, nature, art, or music can also support emotional well-being. Effective strategies include Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) to foster healing and understand chronic muscle tension.
What Does Neck And Shoulder Tension Mean Spiritually?
Neck and shoulder issues can indicate a disconnection from one’s purpose or intuition, suggesting barriers preventing the reception of insights from the crown center. Physical tension in these areas often results from emotional stress, representing underlying emotional or spiritual challenges needing address. The neck, associated with flexibility, communication, and perspective, serves as a reminder to embrace change, express truth, release anger, and remain open.
Both neck and shoulder pains commonly indicate inflexibility, communication difficulties, and a resistance to change or expressing oneself, often tied to emotional blockages such as fear and unresolved trauma. Causing physical discomfort, these tensions also convey deeper spiritual messages. For example, stiffness in the neck may reflect conflicts between mental and emotional states, while shoulder pain can symbolize the burdens of responsibilities and emotional strain.
The throat chakra, situated between the heart and head, highlights the necessity for self-expression, and blocked energy here can lead to chronic pain. Additionally, right shoulder pain may symbolize anxiety over potential threats, whereas left shoulder pain often relates to unexpressed feelings or lingering trauma. This understanding prompts a deeper self-exploration and healing journey, encouraging individuals to confront and process their emotional burdens for overall well-being.
Why Do I Feel Pain Around My Neck And Shoulders?
Pain around the neck and shoulders can often stem from emotional issues rather than just physical injuries. This discomfort may manifest as a persistent ache, stabbing pain, or a shooting sensation traveling to the arms. While most neck and shoulder pain results from strains and sprains due to poor posture or overexertion, it can also indicate more serious conditions, including heart attacks or osteoarthritis. Symptoms that require immediate medical attention include chest pain, difficulty breathing, or limb weakness.
Common contributors to neck pain include a fractured clavicle, muscle injuries, nerve compression, and daily habits like improper computer use which strain the neck muscles. Neck and shoulder pain can significantly impact mobility and daily activities. It often arises from soft tissue injuries—muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Potential causes encompass mental stress, herniated discs, and other health conditions. At clinics specializing in pain management, tailored treatments are offered to address these issues effectively.
Recognizing the symptoms indicating a shoulder injury, such as sharp pain or swelling, is crucial for timely intervention. Thus, understanding the interplay between physical strain and emotional stress is essential for managing neck and shoulder pain comprehensively.
What Emotion Is Stored In The Shoulder?
Results indicate that pain-specific fears, depression, and anxiety significantly predict shoulder pain, particularly in individuals with trauma and PTSD. Emotional states, especially stress, play a major role in muscle tension and stiffness in the shoulders, neck, and upper back. Many people are unaware of how their emotions can become trapped in these areas, leading to chronic tension and discomfort.
When emotions like anger, fear, sadness, or grief go unexpressed, they can manifest physically, compounding shoulder issues. This conceptual review suggests that trauma survivors are at higher risk for shoulder pain due to the emotional aftermath of their experiences.
Experts assert that where the body holds stress can be indicative of underlying repressed emotions, and muscle tension may often be attributed superficially to stress alone. Each area of tension corresponds to specific emotional burdens, such as responsibilities that weigh heavily on an individual. To alleviate these emotional strains, techniques like deep inhalation and shoulder shrugs are recommended.
By addressing the emotional roots of physical discomfort, one can enhance overall well-being and release stuck emotions. Understanding the emotional links to conditions like frozen shoulder can also aid in effective treatment strategies. A holistic approach prioritizes the mind-body connection to alleviate pain.
What Emotions Are Stuck In The Neck?
NECK TENSION, FEAR, AND REPRESSED SELF-EXPRESSION – The throat chakra, located at the neck, is essential for clear communication and self-expression. Repression in this area can lead to stored tension, resulting in physical discomfort. Addressing and connecting with these trapped emotions can facilitate relief, while practices for trauma processing may also be beneficial. The lower back, commonly associated with anger and frustration, can similarly hold emotions.
When experiencing neck pain, it may stem not just from physical issues but from unresolved emotions. These hidden feelings can become ingrained in the body, particularly along the spine and legs. Areas like the head and neck reflect anxiety and tension, often manifesting as headaches or jaw pain. To alleviate tension, encourage mindful movement around the neck, being aware of sensations and sounds. Neck and shoulder discomfort, prevalent in anxiety disorders, can point to deeper emotional struggles.
Stress often manifests in these areas, indicating repressed feelings. Somatic therapy can aid individuals in releasing physical tension linked to past trauma and emotions. The interplay between trapped emotions and muscle tension highlights the significance of addressing psychological aspects alongside physical symptoms. Pain in the neck, shoulders, and lower back, associated with emotions like anger, fear, and hurt, underscores the importance of fostering emotional health and physical well-being.
📹 How are EMOTIONS stored in BODY/ Anger anxiety fear stress stored in body
Releasing emotions stored in the body,how emotions are stored in your body,how emotions are stored in the body,how emotions …
Today I was writing in my journal because I was feeling depressed and didn’t get much sleep. I suddenly broke down and had a crying fit to the point where I was hyperventilating and I thought I was losing my mind. I’ve been grieving my dads death and my moms dementia diagnosis. After I let it all out, a wave of calm came over me and I noticed my neck and shoulder pain instantly disappeared. I felt so good afterwards.
I’ve been a functioning, high anxiety person all my life. It hasn’t served me well. I’m now in my 50’s and I’ve realized I need help. But I got no help. It’s articles like this that are helping me understand why I feel the way I do and what to do about it. It’s not just one article, like a magic pill. But each article gets me just a little bit closer to where I need to be. For that, I’m truly grateful.
I just spent 5 min shake-dancing. I had my eyes squeezed shut and the anger started coming up! I started stomping the floor like a pissed off tap dancer and ended up grabbing the arm of our recliner to keep from falling over while stomping on the floor next to it as if I’m going to bust through the floorboards!!! THIS HELPED!!!! I’m now breathing slowly and the insane tension in my neck has let go of it’s deathly grip. Now to go meditate…. Thank you for this article 🥹 My emotions always seem to get “stuck” (because growing up, emotions were BAD, and not allowed) and I sit in this simmering stuck-ness for DAYS!!! No. More. I love myself TOO MUCH to keep doing this!!!!
Get back into your body Deep belly breathing Yoga/stretching Excercise, dancing Listening to music SINGING, voicing SHAKING, vibrating Laying with legs up, lifted – or doing headstands Tensing and releasing of muscle groups Practicing mindfulness + intentional mindset Expressing yourself + reaching out Being in nature Cold showers/swimming LAUGHING Letting yourself reach for the lighter feeling Acting silly 😀 PLAYING Punching and screaming into pillows
This makes a lot of sense. After the third meltdown in the middle of downward dog, I realised that I had an eating disorder and I needed to do something about it. I would routinely disassociate from life so I never felt like anything I did was real. Yoga brought my mind into my body and my mind was like “wth is this dumpster fire??!!!”
I’m very glad I came across this article, I feel it was a miracle to be honest. I’m an Ex service man and after coming out of the army I started to go done hill. It took 7 years to get a diagnosis of dissociative ptsd and dissociative amnesia. I am actively trying to recover myself/ my emotions. For a year I’ve been weight training and dieting which has transformed my life, as well as studying Trauma to understand it. Once again I am very grateful for your article… Blessings from England
5:11 body trying to burn off adrenaline and process stress chemicals 5:56 emotions get trapped in body 8:25 physical activity resets nervous system and heals anxiety 9:26 yoga effective for PTSD 9:43 rebalance nervous system 9:46 exercise 11:26 relaxed vigilance 11:51 take deep breaths. Tense and relax muscles 14:28 turn on favorite music and shake feet then shake it all out and dance
You are the reason I’m still here two years later after my divorce from a forty year narcissistic marriage. Because of your FREE HELP, I’M still improving my mental health issues. Suicidal ideations have subsided significantly. A “thank you” is not enough for people like you…but I’m so, so grateful ! ❤
I have absolutely experienced the sudden outburst of emotions during acupuncture. It’s wild to have such huge emotions pour out, emotions I didn’t even know I had. I need to express that, while I know there are competent and well-meaning mental health professionals out there, in 20 years I’ve met a lot of them and not one has helped. Most of them have caused more harm to me and my family. It seems the “good” therapists are the ones on YouTube (the ones trying to help more people than those who walk in the door with money). articles like this, along with a spiritual approach to understanding my own trauma, have provided me with the tools to understand my issues and how to overcome them. The mental health profession as a whole is, like other institutions in this country, missing the mark. Thank you so much for making these articles so that people can help themselves when the system fails.
I’m an actor, and I use “tremoring” as a warmup. It uses various positions which allow.oir body to naturally “tremor”, or shake, and we allow and encourage our bodies to shake. It is also a vocal exercise as well, but I find it most useful for de-stressing and relaxing. It is also used with survivors of trauma.
When you shut down one emotion, your shutting down a lot other emotions. That is EXACTLY what I’ve been dealing with and you just helped me connect the two. I’ve been shunned from my family 22 years due to leaving the cult I was raised in- they all stayed. 1 month ago I found out one of my brothers was found dead in his home. And I was/am not allowed at his funeral, cause of death or knowledge of where he is buried. I told myself I’m ok, I don’t have to feel this pain. For weeks I have walked in a state of apathy- now I know why, And how to help myself. Thank you for all the help you provide
In middle school I helped many kids get out of terrible home situations. Because of the awful situations I was unable to share it with the outside world. It wasn’t until about 7 or 8 years later that I’m finally realizing the trauma and PTSD this gave me. Suppressed memories I didn’t even know I had are popping up out of nowhere when I see certain related things such as scars, cut wrists, baseball bats, guns, etc. This one article alone was a major help. thank you.
I know this is an older article but I wanted to share: I am a mom of 7 with a history of past traumas. I’ve suffered for years with post partum depression but I have been too ashamed to admit. I also thought it was my own fault and a decision I was making. I am currently post partum and the depression has been so intense this time that I’ve finally been open to admitting it. My grandmother suffered terribly and was in and out of asylums in the 50’s. She finally took her life when I was six. I think because of her story I am motivated to fight for a better life. I judged her once but now my heart breaks for her as I suffer from the same thing. I’m looking for ways to manage this naturally as I’m breastfeeding and want the best for my baby. One of the things I’ve been doing is light exposure. I make my family breakfast then bundle myself and baby and step outside to get the first rays of sunlight. We live on a farm and this morning my father in law had the radio on in the barn and I could hear it while I walked around. “That old time rock n roll” came on and I realized deep down I was telling myself to stand still. Then I remembered this article and I let myself start dancing a bit with my baby. We rocked and swayed my hips, smiled at my baby and just really got into it. I can be very goofy in general so I did not feel entirely stupid. Plus we live in the middle of nowhere so I knew no one was perusal:) as I danced the urge to cry came over me and I did not hold back like I usually do.
I’m an emergency medicine doctor and started a new job. Had a difficult night shift a few days ago and saw a patient that I found really difficult and disturbing. Have been feeling low, anxious and teary since then. Just trying trying work out how to regulate my emotions better. Thank you for this article
I am a teacher and I have been experiencing anxiety this year worse than I have ever had it. I’ve been losing hair, not sleeping, etc. There have been some times here lately where I think I I would feel better if I could just have a good cry, but I can’t seem to make myself. I know my emotions are all bundled up in my body. This is something I can actually implement. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I, and am sure many others, are very thankful.
It’s so painful to start dealing with your losses that get pushed back in the mind. I found out that in order to heal you have to deal with every heartache and things you experienced. I can say it helps. I usually go only so far to what my mind and heart can manage. Thank you for reading this post. ❤️
Thanks again for this. Feelings are called feelings because we feel them. When we hold onto them, we literally store them in our bodies and our stories keep them stuck there. The idea of processing and releasing emotions through the body, even through crying, in my experience, can open us up, allow our minds to be more flexible and in that space, open the doors for greater perspective and happiness.
As a kid I was always stuck in the sympathetic response, and for the longest time this was just normal for me. In my late teens and now in adulthood I’m starting to unlearn that “normalcy”. I’m learning how to actually self-soothe (not shut down everything emotional in order not to get yelled at for crying), how to take care of myself emotionally and mentally. I’m not crying anymore with a blank face. I’m not tired as much anymore. I’m opening up to the people who love me without worrying as much to get retraumatized. Parents, it’s so, so important to help your child work through their emotions. When you talk to your kids after they do something wrong, don’t yell and spank (which is hitting, no matter what you call it). When they start crying because they’re scared, don’t tell them “I’ll give you something to cry about”. Something less obvious is don’t tell them “Its not a big deal”. To them it is a big deal, otherwise they wouldn’t be upset. Get down to where the child is, don’t approach it from where you are as an adult. Please for the love of God, don’t tell your child that they do X thing for attention. Mine would always tell me I did X thing that I enjoyed for attention, which would make me feel bad about liking it and that I would always have to defend my interests from them. Don’t be a reactive parent, be a responsive one.
Yin yoga really helps. If you’re not familiar it’s the type of yoga where you do more stretching and breathing as opposed to complex poses, so anyone can do it. After a traumatic event (an abuser living in my home) I let it all go during the yin yoga session. I balled my eyes out. Just be alone, cry, sob, scream, do what you need to LET IT GO. I believe 100% that we hold on to trauma in our body and that we have the power to let it go. It made me feel reborn after and enter the calm state. Thank you for this article.
I made a discovery recently about my abandonment wound from my absent father and how it subconsciously affected me my whole life. Being a root wound It was buried so deep that when I made this realisation I started shaking violently. I knew instantly I was releasing trapped emotions. I felt so much lighter afterwards 😊
Seriously I have lived with mental health setbacks due to trauma. In all my years, I have never had a single more productive therapy sesh than this one. I truly feel our mental healthcare workers really don’t think or care about people like me. If we had more people like you things would get better for so many.
I’ve struggled with postnatal anxiety for a while and whenever I’m feeling super disembodied I usually dance as much as I can because a) it’s always helped me feel better and b) I can simply tell my daughter that mama feels like dancing, so she happily joins in. Amazing to realise that the calming effect is an actual biological response and not just me distracting myself, which was what i was told to believe.
I tried this and it was astounding! I feel like a completely different person the day after I did this. I have been clenched up for over a year. My hands hurt, I had intense, daily back spasms, and I’ve been wrecking my teeth with grinding and jaw clenching. My Dr. had no clue how to help me relax. So- “I shook it off”, and then climbed into bed and fell right asleep. Quickly after that, I was awakened by intense shaking and shivering. It didn’t last long. Today, I feel exhausted and relieved. Everything in my body is soft and actually sore, but relaxed. I am going to try this again, and teach this to everyone I care about. Thank you so, so much for making this information public.
This is the most effective mental health website I ever found. You don’t push pills on people like some doctors. Thank you for taking away the FEAR I had about just talking about my mental health. Doctor you have a very calming way that you present the truth of what’s going on inside the human mind. I ‘ll be back to this website for help. Thank God for this blessing.
I’m at the end of more than a decade of healing on all levels of my system and I’ve gone through a lot of different therapeutic and healing modalities. For the last 2 years I’v been almost conpletely homebound due to severe IBD issues and I love what you’re explaining here. It’s so true. Looking back on my life, I’ve been stuck in the symphatatic mode 24/7. Severe IBD, always cold, always on high alert, muscle tension etc. And in this last phase (it feels like that) I’m becoming more and more intuitive and let my body lead me. The dancing, the shaking, walking, kicking etc. help with releasing what wants to get out. Sometimes even spontanuous when meditating. I’m calmer, more relaxed and I feel my bowels and intestines healing. A long story, but I wanted to share this to confirm. And thank you for this great article, your explanation ia spot on and I love the stories of the polar bear and James Gordon ❤
oh god this basically explains all the reasons behind why i am so emotionless, i have lots of trouble with feelings and i cant form social relationships, or even feel the care for others. Even to family or “loved ones”, maybe this will help me heal. The article makes so much sense and explains alot of my life woa.
This showed up in my recommended list. I’m glad I clicked on it! Finally, not another person telling us they can offer some help, but then give you a big spiel about why this happens, then find out you have to buy into their program to get any of the material. Some of us are broke with no job because our anxiety has kept us down for so long. Mine has definitely gotten worse over the past few months, and after just perusal two of your articles, I had a moment of calm and peace! Thank you so much for this! Subscribed!
I am so happy I found you, your articles are exactly what I have needed to see after 20 years of suppressed emotions from my childhood; everything you say makes so much sense and helps me instantly. I am uncovering deeper dimensions of myself so I can live the rest of my life with grace. My deepest gratitude to you 🙏🏾🙏🏾♥️♥️♥️
What i have experienced from many people who have gone through some kind of trauma (from irritation to significant stress) is to lash out at whoever is available. This of course, just passes the stress to others, just like passing a virus through a sneeze. Your examples of the polar bear, and the young Haitian nurses is very simple, but very good advice. Thank you.
After 25 years I finally decided to go for therapy. I had the intro session where we basically did a medical history and when I went to leave I was told my insurance didn’t cover therapy. The bill was over $500 and they gave me a number for community counseling. The woman had never even heard of the term HSP, gave me a preliminary diagnosis that was by definition (that she literally showed me in the book) wrong…and I think I ended up dodging a bullet. I found you and have already found tremendous growth. Thank you.
Thank you. Last year was very stressful. All my normal outlets (recreation, support groups, travel, events, etc) were shut down while all the craziness went on (health scares, food being cleared out of stores, riots, sociopolitical stuff). I felt like my body finally ‘blew a gasket’ when it couldn’t contain all the stress any longer. All that emotional pressure had to go somewhere…ended up in teeth clenching, TMJ, fascial tension, neck and shoulder problems, along with snowballing anxiety. I don’t like taking meds, and I’m not into weird eastern stuff. So I prayed about it and these articles started popping up. I appreciate the realistic ideas and explanations you have here.
Thank you so much for putting this online. We don’t have the money to buy health insurance and paying out of pocket isn’t in the cards for us right now. I’m learning so much. I’ve started to let myself feel again and to be better at feeling. I wanna give my daughter the tools I never got growing up on how to process emotions. This is a true God send. Thank you ☺️
As you suggested, I put on a little T Swift “Shake It Off” and danced like fool in my living room. In the middle off dancing around letting my body go I felt my body wanting to cry…something I’ve wanted to do for a while, but because of my past traumas my body just couldn’t let it out. This is a big step and I couldn’t have done it without your help. Thank you 🙂
So true when we restrict our one emotion,it affects over all emotional life and it impacts us severely and hats off to you,these articles aren’t mere articles but life savers and where comes awareness,healing starts automatically.we are glad to have personalities like you,saving so many lives out there .
Im a physiotherapist who had succumbed to dark psychology, that included manipulation, verbal control, shame and blame for being unique in the way i treat and sometimes react to this OCD bosses and team that i had worked with in early 2020. Your article means alot to me. Being a service to the global community through your you tube sponsors, is one blessing that Im immensely grateful for
With these sessions you are gaining love and prayers from so much needy people. This is the best service a person can do fir gods creation. I pray to God to provide you and your family the best if provisions safety 🙏 and blessings. Appreciate what you are doing. I also pray to God to heal all people dealing with all diseases mental and physical Ameen.
Omg. I had been having pretty extreme anxiety for the past 4 days to the point where I could not focus on any schoolwork or even things I LIKED to do and this advice literally changed my mood and I became my normal self again in 5 MINUTES. I say to all the people out there experiencing anxiety right now, try this!!! It could work for you!
Thank you for this article! It is yet another tool for me to use in helping my overstimulated nervous system. I had a Neuro Emotional Technique session a few days ago where it was discovered that there was trapped grief in my body from the death of my Dad when I was a child. It is incredible how much trauma we can have trapped and not be fully aware of or in denial of.
Pardon my french but holy shit! This worked!! So. I am diagnosed wirh anxiety disorder. More traditional therapy helped me a lot with negative emotions and allowing them, but it never crossed my mind that positive ones could get stuck right along them. So i put on some belly dancing music and try the shaking. And boom within seconds i start laughing. Laughing so hard i almost cried. I had to stop myself from just starting to dance every few seconds, I have not danced in years! It felt wrong. Theres this physical feeling of joy in my chest which i definitly remember feeling long ago but havent in months, maybe years. Man. Thank you to this website!! I’ll be doing this and similar things often now!!
Thank you for providing the help we need. I have been afraid to go to psychotherapists, but when I see your articles I just feel like I can pinpoint what has been happening to me. The moment i started my healing journey and after almost 2 years of not knowing how to release my emotions, I am starting to work through my emotions, and feel lighter after every single time! For my i haven’t been able to cry for a long time, lately when I started to let my emotions surface I started to cry them all out with mentioning them and saying how i feel out loud. It has helped me immensely..also i have been doing PMR and yoga, and workouts, I realized that this is an ongoing journey that does not stop..
This was fantastic. Thank you. I’ve been in trauma therapy for 4 years so far. ATM I am dealing with debilitating physically illness, PTSD symptoms, homelessness, and a divorce. Utilizing all the skills I have learned is not working and I haven’t been sure of how to get the fear, grief, and anger out. It’s just staying inside, as I haven’t found a way to express it safely due to my situation. I know this is detrimental. So again, thank you. This I can do in the precious moments of solitude I have sometimes. 🙏🏽
I truly believe playing piano and singing has been 1 of many things aiding me in healing from the stressful event of balancing a house buy with a new job offer that was very worthwhile. When I was a kid dancing silly and singing was something I would do regularly. When I got to college though I was too afraid to show that silly side of me (paper thin walls) and it naturally led to panic and anxiety which was followed by violent shaking of the body.
This is one of the best articles on trauma I have ever seen in my life. I’ve recently been diving deep into my own healing journey with my traumas and everything you said on here is on point. You are a gem thank you so much for being on YouTube and helping thousands and thousands of people with your wonderful information.
I’m a 24 year old blue collar business owner that came here looking for something like this. I was getting so stressed from being a first time business owner, that I thought maybe a massage would help. On the second appointment, mid massage, I just started shaking and crying. It was such a freeing feeling to process emotions that were bound to specific deep muscles. I have been through a few tough experiences the last five years living away from home. A lot of stress was left deep inside my traps. Learning how to cope in healthy ways Is something that can protect you so well. It’s like I’m craving another massage because I’m addicted to learning and processing emotions that are necessary
15 years is a long time away from an abusive marriage. I’ve been told I just need to “get over it But that was my life for 10 years 15 years ago. He’s now in prison but every year around the holidays I shut down. I can’t always remember everything that would happen. But I did it this year, too. Last night I cried and just couldn’t stop for the entire night and woke up feeling intense relief. I grew up in a place where u was told feeling your emotions is bad. So I walk around all year, and bury everything. Thank you for making this article. I used to hike more. And I also go to the gym every day. But the last few weeks I just have been frozen in time and now I understand I’ve got to go shake some of this off. And that it’s okay to cry.
Thank you 🙏 controlling emotions and responding to trauma and daily hardship instead of reacting to the stress is a huge hurdle for me and apparently for the rest of the world. I’m grateful to have found your website. Thank you very much just for being you and doing your part. Bless you sister stay awesome !!! ♾❤️🔥🙏😇
I just wanted to say you are a truly good person, and I am so grateful for you and all that you do for people like me struggling with just existing and coping with the trauma that lives in our bodies and minds. So many try to sell peace, but you make help accessible for all by reaching out and making articles like this. They are life saving. Thank you so much, and God bless you.
I can tell you that freediving has massively helped my PTSD and depression… when you take a look at the training involved which includes yoga and beath and breath holding exercises. I can see why, after what you said about yoga the best form of help for PTSD and then later about diaphragm breathing, which is also used in freediving. I would definitely say to any one suffering with PTSD go take some lessons or use some YouTube articles even if you never dive. Thanks for posting this article 🙂
It’s interesting that people recovering from the problematic anxiety (don’t like to call it disorder) experience these waves of “returning of they’r symptoms” and if managed properly (avoiding overreacting to them, let them pass like a wave) they move closer and closer to full recovery. I tried also to see these “setbacks” as an occasion for those trapped emotions to be released, to leave the body and I moved much much closer to the old self me, the real me and felt much energized and calm. Started to sleep much better.
When I started doing yoga consistently last year, all my suppressed emotions came up and experienced panic attacks. My therapist told me to not stop doing yoga because it was the main tool that helped me release everything. I’m still doing it consistently, but with more kindness to my body and my mind. I started to became more mindful and self-aware of everything I do, too. I still get triggered, but I try to welcome them and be more of an observer than a judger. I also started to rekindle my relationship with God through yoga, it’s like my prayer and alone time with Him. Idk what other people think about yoga, but for me, it’s one of the tools that saved me ❤ thank you for this!! Somatic therapy helps. It might not be the only answer, but it really does help because your mind might forget, but your body definitely remembers.
Since I was a tween – 10-11 – I have listened to my favorite music and shook my feets and shaked my whole body and dancing crazy as I say – I could go on for hours being a fantastic workout and after I was so calm and relaxed. Always felt fantastic, but I haven’t done it for years now, but I am definatly starting doing that again as well as streching with a bolster, pilates, swimming, strength training, skiing, rowing, biking, hiking and running! 🙂 And taking deep breaths! And let my emotions run free in a safe space. Let the tears fall and let them roll over me and then letting the emtions go. And harvesting and yielding beautiful and light memories as a shield! This is a daily work and no matter how stable, happy, content I’ll ever be, I’ll keep practicing this!:popcorn-yellow-striped-smile::volcano-green-lava-orange::hands-yellow-heart-red::octopus-red-waving::elbowcough:💃💃💃💃👯♀
This makes perfectly sense. I used to have panic attacks and i could only release them through crying. During psychoanalysis I learned the attacks are coming, when I ignore my emotions, things that bother me. But the suppression happens unconsciously and sometimes I still don’t get it, what my body is aroused about. But I really would like to learn a technique, that doesn’t involve crying because often I feel so sad and empty afterwards. And also, this article explains, why I never feel as good as when I’m dancing. Thank you!
I haven’t been about to cry or release any emotions in months. It used to come fairly easily, but after a few consecutive traumatic things locked everything down. I haven’t been able to do anything and have been failing my classes because of the huge trap door keeping everything in. Nothing has worked to be able for me to process any of it until this article. The constant pressure and ache, the weakness I’ve been feeling has been debilitating. Thank you, I was able to cry
I actually became Reiki certified because it’s the only treatment that really allowed me to release my stored energy. I was skeptical for a long time of energy treatments, and gave it a shot and it’s created waves of healing in my life and those around me. I also believe that therapy is important! Thank you for these articles!
I’m just another spec in the universe, but you have no idea how much I appreciate these articles! I’ve been fighting with CRIPPLING ANXIETY and religious trauma my entire life, but during yet another sleepless night, worrying about WW3 etc, I came across your website. Within just a couple of articles, I’m feeling waaaay better and I can feel tension in my body easing up. My mind feels so much more clear and I am determined to carry on using your guidance to better my mental health. Thank you SO much for the amazing work you’re putting out into the world! I will be sure to share this with others ❤️🔥😭🙏🏼
I have been struggling with tension in my neck for over a year. I have a seemingly weak vagal tone. In my first acupuncture treatment I became very emotional and was laughing or almost crying for around 5-10 minutes. I have also been doing different vagus nerve activation exercises and when I am able to deeply relax I often cry. During the past year I feel like I have been very out of touch with my emotions and I feel as though my nervous system is trapped in that “freeze” response. There is some deep trauma that needs release.
I’m a tattoo artist and there is a very common term used in our community “tattoo therapy” and in fact I’ve had many clients with past trauma, some who may have struggled with self harm, depression, addiction, and they now use getting tattooed as an outlet. Listening to the physical activation and relaxation makes me think of tattooing because it is a constant cycle of that. I myself after longer sessions have felt lighter and more clear than ever after getting tattooed.
I’ve been struggling for several months with severe panic attacks, IBS/d I’ve started therapy, I’ve got lots of tools and apps that no longer work, been on SsRi’s for over 15 years so switch this weekend back to NSsRi’s, I’m perusal slot of your articles lately to get be through the tough times . Thankyou v
Hi Emma, I am so glad I came across your article. I am currently dealing with chronic stress, anxiety and burnout. I am a pharmacist manager. I work 11 hour days. My job is very stressful and I feel like I have to keep everything together to support my team and my patients. On the outside, I show calm, authority and guidance. On the inside, I am trying to preserve what the outside sees, when in reality, it is anything but. I chose Groove is in the Heart by Deee-Lite as my shake and dance song. It felt great. I can’t wait to watch more of your articles. Thank you for this.
First the big sadness, then the nervous volcano. Its been a while since I thought about applying therapy techniques to my daily life, since trying to deal with it with determination alone doesn’t seem to cut it. I’ve been so careful not to fall into that pit of despair that i started fearing the slightest of my negative emotions. Changing into a positive mindset is not something your brain is ready to accept at a moments notice, but the beauty of it is the amount of control we actually have over our bodies with belief. The science behind mentality and intellegence is fascinating and the way you explain it is truly mesmerizing. Thanks.
I really liked this article and found it extremely insightful! (especially on releasing trapped emotions via a better understanding of the importance of the nervous systems). However, just to point out (as a vet): the bear is shaking because of the tranquillizer/anaesthetics wearing off (under sedation, the body temperature drops down – especially in the environment he’s in. When the drug effects wear off–> body shaking is a reflex: the muscles are shaking to bring the body temperature back to its normal state. It’s extremely common even in surgeries (small animals or even humans). Ps: I am not saying the bear wasn’t traumatized by this experience though. Just the shaking is a reflex from the drop of temperature under anaesthetics. Thanks for the article 💕
This is the first of your articles that I have watched and although the concept seems foreign to me, the way you take the time to explain your approach is quite convincing and even enlightening. I will watch the series because of this one article and THANK YOU for offering this help to people who may need it.
I hate logging onto YT, It takes a very special article to get me to log in. Not only did I log in, I even subscribed to your website (a rarity). And now I am going to go through your training. I’ve been trying to deal with my inner child through perusal supernanny articles, which taught me additional skills on managing child-like emotions. Thank you. Stay blessed
Very helpful to have a simple explanation for our feelings being experiences in our bodies which can can get stuck …sometimes for a long time. Something I’d like to add as someone who trained extensively in Somatic Psychotherapy, is that words and understanding are generally essential alongside experience to resolve issues held in the body. Ofcourse it depends on how long for and why the feeling have been stuck. Important to make the distinction between relatively recent feelings and those that have been stuck for a long time or from a very early time.
Thank you for making your articles. They are so helpful in my healing journey. I’m fortunate enough to have access to weekly therapy, but sometimes that isn’t enough to address all my issues. You have provided me with some tools I wasn’t aware existed to deal with my stress, trauma, and psychosomatic pain and I’m grateful to you for it.
Thank u so much. So many new therapist make articles with a title that gives hope cos u think they will give Solutions yet all those articles are a way to advertise their course. They offer no advice whatsoever, majority is them just listing the problem. This lady is different, she Does give answers, solutions & explains in everyday language we can All understand. Showing gratitude, im hopeful the Universe will reward u ! 🦋💗👌🎯💫
I’ve been stuck on high alert most of my life. I spent over 20 years in counseling healing horrible childhood abuse. The love of my life died about 4 years ago and I didn’t realize that because he died traumatically and suddenly it brought stuff up for me. Not flashbacks of abuse but I think it reengage my post traumatic stress. My 33-year-old son got on drugs and started belittling and emotionally abusing me me and it did something to me. I’ve been in the sympathetic area for almost 4 years and struggling to get my life back. That’s why I’m perusal your website today because apparently me trying to make the stress go away is making it worse to where now I’m sick to my stomach all the time
Thank you. You might, quite possibly, be saving my life. I first found your articles a couple years ago and found them very helpful back then. As I continue my healing journey, I just search in YouTube different things that I need and your articles keep popping up. They’re always right to the point in exactly what I need. If I could give you a hug, in thanksgiving, I would. May God bless you in Eternity for the ways you bless others!
i was divorced in december 2019. its now april 2021 and i still have strong angry emotional outbreakes. (she left me for her manager). i have never in my life been this emotional and it a huge struggle. i still think about her every second and miss her so much, even tho i dont even want to talk to her or see her (nobody of my side likes her anyway). it sounds sad but its more frustrating and pisses me the fck of because its holding me back real good. thanx for the article, this is what i needed.
I can testify that this has changed my life! Finding about the body realese I’ve suffered from anxiety disorder from a young age. I went to therapy, which needed me speaking about feelings and thinking of triggers. So I always have had a hard time expressing my emotions and avoid sensations. That’s why it didn’t work, I tried and tried to speak about trauma, fear, and anxiety, but I couldn’t trust nor feel safe speaking in that room with my therapist. And my parents didn’t know what to do anymore and that me feel… hopeless. One day, my parents were invited to visit a massage therapist for stress release. I remember clear as day that the moment it was my turn and the session began, just from her starting, gentle touch, I began to feel overwhelming fear and grief surge. I’ve always been sensitive to touch, but that time was different. Furthermore, I started to “feel” my trauma, my anxiety, and I started crying. At first, she was startled, but then questioned me, “why are crying? I’m not hurting you”. All I could say to her was, “I don’t know, I just felt the urge to cry”. As the massage proceeded, I started screaming, shaking and bawling, but she just let me do it. My parents got scared and entered the room, asking if something was wrong, but she told them to let me be, to let me feel my body. Up to that day, I’ve never felt something so… freeing and safe at the same time. She said to me, “Your body has been through a lot, and it found healing and release.” I’ve experienced that all the time I go for massage therapy but stopped doing so.
When I was little, I used to wake up shaking every Christmas Eve night. My Mom thought I was just excited, but no—I was truly miserable. This was not something I really remembered until many years later, but my parents, who were divorced, had a terrible, physical fight around Christmas (might have been Christmas Eve), when I was about two years old. I’m positive it was that. Even when I got older, I sometimes had panic attacks every Christmas Eve. Sometimes I still do, and I’m 44 and both my parents are dead. My question is, how did this get stuck at that young of an age? You’d think at 2, I would have been more like the polar bear. Also, I once had an acupuncture experience where I felt like a trapped emotion got released. It seemed to have to do with a tragedy involving my friend’s parents, and I seemed to store it in my hip.
Thank you from the deepest place in my heart for making this entire course completely and genuinely accessible to all. It is rare to find someone who is so deeply genuine and selfless. I literally find myself sighing with relief when listening to your presentations and descriptions of ways inwhich one can access your content. Everything about you brings a huge calming effect i think because im not bracing for the catch so to speak. I can completely relax and digest the information with great focus and feel a great sense of trust and comfort which given the subject matter is something i value immensely. I just cannot truly describe how grateful i feel to have you to learn from. Thank you ❤
I feel I may have found the tool box I’ve been searching for here. I was unwanted. I’ve explored just about everything under the sun and have made amazing progress. However, something deep in my body forbids deep emotional intimate connection. It isn’t in my head and it’s not in my heart. There’s lots of peace in my life, but no connection with humans…nature eats out of my hand. I look forward to “shaking this off” and hopefully building the warm, uplifting, nurturing and secure family life that I was not born into. It’s not only been immensely frustrating and depressing for me, but many potential beautiful women have been exposed to this internal disconnect. Suck City. Ok, I think The Cars “Shake it up” is about as appropriate as can be. Thanks Doc.
I came across this browsing YT for information on somatics, something I had just heard of. I am absolutely excited to go through this course. Thank you so much Emma for providing such a wonderful resource for those of us that are trying to follow our intuition on healing, but aren’t sure what exactly to do. You are providing a roadmap! I can’t wait to go through the course. You are helping me so much, much love and thanks to you!!
Thank you; I had a light bulb moment as to why exercise is so important to me and I better understand why I feel ‘a but nutty’ (as I say to my husband) if I don’t workout for a week. My counselor strongly encouraged me to go back to the gym. I feel far more content in general and stronger when talking about my past and making connections. Cheers ❤️ 🇦🇺
Good morning Emma,so yesterday i was really waiting for the next skill😌, finally. I suffer from GAD as well heath anxiety almost everyday. This has erupted from trauma. I have been blaming myself for going through this when i am just 20. By turning to your article’s, i am really learning a lot. So much improvement on judging my emotions as well as on managing my fear of the future and health. The tool of discovering the cause of an emotion and resolving it if possible is really the goal. It may take time but the good news is to overcome. Thank you❤
Thank you so much for your content, I recently was performing deep meditation and unblocked some locked up memories of trauma when I was 12 years old of being drugged and gang raped by the same sex and have been desperately trying to heal myself and figure out why I struggled with substance abuse through out my life and had so many false beliefs about myself. Your article’s are inspiring and give people like myself HOPE and CLARITY…….and my way of saying thank you is by giving you an ad every time I watch one of your article’s, God bless.
This is brilliant. Evidence based healing! Thank you. Your approach reminds me of the work Dr. Michael Greger is doing in the field of nutrition, i.e., put the science out there and let the people do with it as they will. I also appreciate that you are providing this information free of charge. I feel certain that your generosity of spirit will be amply repaid in both material and non-material ways. Thank you again and all the best in all your endeavors.
i have cfs which i now understand to actually be a dysregulated nervous system and in this article you’ve basically described how many people get cfs! i need to learn how to regulate my ns again, process emotions in a healthy way and release trapped emotions x this course is brilliant and i am so grateful to you x
by far one of my most fave discussions and one of the reasons why talk therapy through out my childhood/teens and earlier parts of life really did not alter very much after a certain point. I am super energetically sensitive,hypervigilant blah blah all that which comes with cptsd and just generally genetically HSP~~ so I truly appreciate when folks like you and Crappy Childhood Fairy (which is how I came across your work by way of the awesome interview between you two) bring this information to the masses. we, as a species, are so filled with pain and that impacts the entire planet. somatic healing work heals on multiple levels
As someone who used to exercise and dance a lot as a stress reliever I can definitely appreciate this, my heart often feels like a beating drum just pushing me to get up and fly. Problem is due to medical complications it is not safe for me to do any of that these days… any ideas for another way to shake the anxiety out?
I was walking home last night, carrying bags and distracted by my phone. I approached the corner where a car was waiting on me to turn. As I was a few steps from the curb I tripped over a piece of metal from a sign and did this trippy, twisty stumble to try not to land on my face lol Succeeding in this effort, my immediate reaction as I crossed was laughter. I laughed. The person in the car laughed. It was great! It’s definitely a better auto response then getting angry because I was able to carry on with my evening and laughed again later when I chastised myself for being on my phone when I should have been paying attention and aware of my surroundings.
I do believe that feelings of stress, trauma, suppressed emotions etc do get trapped in your body from my experience. I traveled 200 miles to visit a gentleman who was recommended to me, he was highly qualified and experienced in various forms of osteopathic, chiropractic, cranial massages. He massaged and manipulate my whole body, he released stress from my body, I cried while he was massaging my head releasing years of pent up emotion. Thoughts and feelings that had been dominating me for years just went away after two treatments. I was absolutely amazed at the difference in how I felt emotionally.
When I was 2 I pulled a pot of boiling water down on me. I almost died and was in the hospital for 6 months. My mom always had a difficult time talking about it, so I don’t know a lot, but one thing she told me was that the Dr., who saved my life, said my “nervous system would never be the same.” And it wasn’t! In my 20’s I began to have terribly intense panic attacks, some of which landed me in the hospital. When I mentioned this to a neurologist, he totally dismissed it. He didn’t understand how trauma could affect my nervous system. Through much therapy, my anxiety has lessened. This is fascinating.
I feel like sharing what happened to me in somatic experiencing so that others might be a bit cautious. By recommendations and lists of certified practitioners in my country, I came across a couple of therapists that would do online work. All of them seemed legit but I had horribled experiences with two of the three that I wanted to work with. They dove straight into the trauma without any explanation on how to activate the parasymphatic nervous system so after the sessions I was basically left back re-traumatised and had anxiety like crazy. The fact that the majority of practitioners I met caused more harm than good is freaking scary considering that people that seek help are probably already in a very vulnerable state. I’m not saying the entire concept is bad but I’m hesitant to reach out to a new therapist after this and I want everybody to keep in mind that things can go wrong. Please be mindful when looking for a therapy and research the people well.
Thank you for the emphasis on science-supported methods for healing. ❤ anecdotal evidence is powerful, and I don’t mean to discount what works for every person, but we should never judge people for whom some method doesn’t help. The preponderance of those who say “stop your meds, cut out gluten, become vegan, drink apple cider vinegar, you just need to think positively, it worked for me!” hurts my heart and brain.
This is so weird in regards to ‘music’ in aiding in the release of trapped emotions, as this has been occurring to me recently and I thought I was going crazy or something! I do artwork at home and I usually listen to music (or articles like these😅) and I was listening to Carly Simons ‘Nobody does it better’…out of the blue I just started shaking and crying hysterically, and it was like…I don’t even know why but I couldn’t stop it. When I did eventually calm down however I felt so much lighter, and this has actually happened a few other times after this to random things I listen too. I have been working on being more aware of how I feel, and meditating and various techniques to relieve stress/pain…just didn’t realize something I was already doing could assist me too in releasing all that gunk!
Thank you so much for making this article. I literally just wailed loudly the first minute into the exercise, I have been trying to release the trauma for the past 1 year by trying different methods. What you did in the article is really so powerful. I am going to share this on social media definitely to benefit others.
If you’re reading this thank you for taking the time haven’t been feeling myself recently and because of that annoying all my friendships and I feel like I have no one to talk to eczema cats but I need someone to talk back to me someone who’s there to know what I’m feeling someone who’s there truly care about what I’m saying someone who’s there truly care but my opinion thanks for taking the time I hope you have a wonderful day