How to Release Feelings From the Body?

[Seeking_Nirvana]

I have a question on this theory and would like some insight. I found a post from Anthony in the "Pain Management" section (It's posted below). Every month when I go through my menstrual cycle my body is in extreme pain along with headaches and knots in my neck. Also, I get canker sores, fever blisters and even arthritis acts up (I also have a lot of accidents like bumping into things).
This theory states that the trauma gets locked into our body while animals shiver and gets released down their spine.

I was wondering if there is any way we can release this body response? Most of my issues seem to reside in the body and less in the mental and emotional state. I read that ridding the body from trauma is the hardest thing to do.

If I get real mad and go meditate I will calm down. However, later I will feel as if something is trying to rip out of my chest or stomach area and my skin crawls. I can not tolerate this and end up over medicating because it's unbearable. So is it better just to scream and yell and get it out of me when I'm angry, or meditate, calm down for a while, then feel horrible body feelings because I didn't release the anger/fear? How can this horrible feeling be released from the body like the animals do it? I think if I could do that I would be in much better shape because I learned the tools to deal with mental and emotional issues (not perfect but still a work in progress) It's those damn body feelings that I can't seem to fix.

EFT helps a tiny bit, but it seems to be taking way to long and it works best if I scream out loud while doing it, but then I get a bad headache from screaming and go to sleep when I'm done.

Please provide me a link in my PM or explain it to me if anyone knows the answer on how to release those body (physical) feelings when they arise. Please don't tell me to hit a punching bag or run because it doesn't work any better than EFT or meditating.

Thanks
Tammy

Quote:
Fight, Flight or Freeze?

Fight, flight & freeze are automatic, instinctive survival responses, not thoughtful or considered responses. Which one occurs depends on the limbic system's perception of the strength & time available. For example:

• If time & strength to run away - flee
• If no time but strength - fight
• If no time or strength & death imminent - freeze

"If I have a chance to flee I will, if I have a chance to fight I will, if I have to freeze I will"

How this relates to survivor's guilt or shame for freezing & not protecting themselves, fighting back or running away.​

What Goes Wrong?

The ANS continues to be chronically aroused even though the threat has passed & is survived. Usual fight / flight response is truncated & the trauma gets "stuck" in the body. Animals don't get PTSD for their instinctual "shiver down the spine" allows trauma to be sequenced through their body (wish we had this ability). Survivors physiological housekeeping systems are messed up by the trauma. Therapy needs to pay attention to the trauma in the body, ie. body therapies, mindfulness and grounding.

 

[becvan]

Tammy I think each of us has to find our own way. And I'm sorry but a punching bag does work wonders... for me. :)

I have found (with lots of experimenting) that boxing on a regular basis keeps the anger released and the stress reduced. Pampering myself (simple things like doing my toenails or having a bubble bath) help me love myself, having a night of watching sappy movies and crying into a blanket releases my sadness. I do these things on a regular basis not when I'm feeling that way. My body rarely holds it anymore because I'm releasing it regularly. It's almost like it gets built up, with each intrusive thought or flashback, and I have to keep releasing it as I go. I also have to keep reinvesting in myself so that my body hangs on to what it needs to: love, attention, tlc.

I haven't read anything on this before, it was just trial and error for me and really I stumbled on it by accident. Perhaps you could try and find things that give you a physical release for anger, sadness etc.. and do them regularly for awhile and see if that helps. :dontknow:

bec

 

[SunnyBrookFarm]

Tammy - I do know there is a direct link between stress and the effects on your body. I have a chronic pain disorder - involving my bladder. Now interestingly there is alot of thought that your pelvic muscles can actually injure your bladder causing the damage. In MY case - I believe this is what has happened. So for me - I treat the physical problem (with treatments prescribed by my urologist) and am very mindful that my muscles directly impact the pain. Alot of times, I will climb into a warm bath, turn on classical music (loud enough to not be able to hear everything else going on in my home), burn alot of candles and just soak. I practice deep-breathing exercises and try to listen to my body more and take a break when needed.

I agree with Bec's suggestions also, everyone's body is different - it is alot of trial and error - hopefully you will get some more suggestions and we can all learn from the responses.

 

[Tinyflame]

I find because my body is so related to my mind, I have to do whatever it takes to calm my mind down to get relief, and increase my physical and emotional pain tolerance.
Then my body "behaves" better.

Best thing that works for me is being alone, in some peace, or the support of others.

 

[Freddy_hiding_less]

This thread is really interesting! After many years of meditation and bodywork I've come to a situation when the combination of physical and mental relaxation seems to give room for involuntary movements along my spine.
I twist like when a dog shakes the rain out of it's fur or i crunch in my belly or solar-plexus or sometimes pull my chest together in a movement like newborns do to emty their lungs.

This is a bit different each time I try but if I "sink" this way with meditation or massage and It just doesn't stop unil I tense up a bit. I think like 15 minutes and every few seconds is the longest I have endured.

No one have had a clue to whats going on, I don't know if I should try to push trough it or just let it be. It's somehow feels like I'm not allowed to relax more than to a certain level

 

[Tinyflame]

Relaxing- mentally +/or physically, that's the word, it is so great.

I can't get over the triggers to get a massage, but sounds terrific.

 

[Deleted member 541]

Tammy,

You have had great replies already, and I sort of echo what everyone else says. Finding your own way to de-stress, relax, release the anger/frustration is the way to go. It's as individual as we all are, and whatever works for you go for it. I like long hot bubble baths with candles, but I often will take a long ride in the car, with the music turned up too......

 

[lividredrage]

I was wondering this, too, lately. I was considering going for massage to help with tension and learning to accept touch in a safe, positive, controlled environment. Has anyone done this with success before?

 

[midi]

Yoga. It helps with my injuries, tightness, anger, pain, and even migraines (if in the swiggly vision stage)... I also drink raspberry and mint tea to soothe the body because their smells and tastes are comforting.

 

[kers]

I was considering going for massage to help with tension and learning to accept touch in a safe, positive, controlled environment. Has anyone done this with success before?

I have had several massages over the past year and found them very helpful. It helped that I worked my way into it gradually. At first I wouldn't take off my trousers and would only let the therapist work on my back. Then I was willing to let her do my shoulder and arms, both sides. Recently I had a massage and I was willing to strip down to my undies! It was wonderfully relaxing and a real treat, since I am so skittish about being touched in my daily life.

I have found that finding ways to relax make it easier for me to accept the emotions that come and try to find ways to express them. I don't get quite so panicked by my feelings now; I recognize that they come, and they are strong, but they do subside if I persist in coping with them.

 

[cragger65]

I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet, but shaking things out, flinging your arms out in front of you as if shaking off water, rotating and loosening up shoulder joints, and generally doing your best to adopt a Raggety Anne state of body might help. Let your head loll forward, as loosely as you can and just dance about, shaking your arms and legs out. Imagine shaking it all out of you like change out of a piggy bank. If you have physical injuries like myself, you may need to approach this slowly, but this method can help with physical state in the process as well. Works for me, hope it can help you too.

 

[Seeking_Nirvana]

Thanks to everyone for the responses. I guess there is no one cure like the animals have LOL.

I think you might be correct Bec. I never stuck with the punching bag or running because if my wrists or knees were not part of the initial pain, they definitely are after punching or running and I didn't seem to get any relief because I was focusing on having more pain. Hmmmm!

I guess I would just need to get used to the pain until those joints adjust to the new exercise program. I will try that again and stick with it longer and see what happens.

Also, I will try the shaking my body like Cragger spoke of. I kind of laugh when I think of myself doing that for some reason? But if it helps maybe I will laugh too and that helps release anger and pain.

I already take long baths and meditate, plus I get alone time. I'm going to have to buckle down, get physical and stick to it. I might start watching movies that make me cry too.

Thanks again