How Do I Get My Anger Out Of My Body?

[LavenderGreen]

I've tried all kinds of therapy, talk, EMDR, journaling, medication, but I'm still overwhelmed by my feelings most days. Some people say to go to the batting cages, break things, which is probably fine if I'm upset about something that happened recently. Some of my traumas are 30 years old & I don't really recall a lot of details. How do I get the 'muscle memory' or 'body memories' that affect my every day life out of my body. Nothing seems to work. Thanks!

 

[Justmehere]

Maybe if none of the trauma therapies are working, then maybe there is a medical cause? If not, I think you have been trying a lot of good options. Somatic Experiencing is the key thing that has worked for me.

 

[franciemarnie]

Somatic therapy has helped me release a lot of trauma energy. (45-year old trauma.)

I found something also recently quite by accident. I don't know if it would help you.

For a couple years, I thought I kept retearing a gluteal muscle - as originally diagnosed. Last spring or early summer, the pain got worse and worse and did not go away as it often did with ice and rest and salt baths. I went to a different doctor. He said it was a problem with lower back nerve. PT made it worse and I began waking with numb arms and hands, terrible nausea, extreme sadness and the worst part of it all - absolute terror. I could not shake it.

I went to a chiropractor for the first time and in three sessions I was pain and numbness free, but better than that - the terror was gone and most of the sadness.

He explained it in terms of PTSD and holding myself in a position to run! no matter what position I was in all my life. He is teaching me exercises to tell my primitive brain all is well, we are safe.

I cannot express the feeling I have waking each morning now without the terror, sadness, etc.

Fingers crossed it lasts, but I well know at age 57 the need to get the trauma out of our bodies. It's really what I focus on. There is nothing to analyze or discuss anymore. I talked until I was blue in the face and it did no good whatsoever except demoralize me that I couldn't "let go." I could let go. It was my physical body that needed to literally release the trauma energy it held, and learn it was safe once more.

 

[Seasounds]

@franciemarnie , would you pleas share the exercises?

@lavendargreen, I've had good luck with a series of Therapeutic Touch sessions, and with a Model Mugging class. Memories may still get activated, but you have a known way to move them/the triggered energy out.

 

[ghotiff]

I really don't know but what comes to mind is breathing technique and along the posture path you could try Alexander technique. Just thoughts.

 

[Seasounds]

@LavenderGreen and @ghotiff,
Good idea, I have used the Alexander Technique lessons open up new neuromuscular pathways: since new neuromuscular pathways are used to move ergonomically, the old muscle memories are activated. This process has been a godsend to me. The Alexander Technique teacher that you work with, will have a big difference. (Different schools have different styles.) Please let me know if you want a referral for your area.

 

[franciemarnie]

@change - As soon as I get my peepers open, I will go get the handouts and give the names of the exercises. They have to do - it seems - with the first chakra area or the area where you do crunches. A sort of exercise that repeatedly tells the primitive brain - we are not in fight or flight right now. My interpretation only. I'll be back.

 

[franciemarnie]

@change - Here are the names of the exercises he gave me:

They are all called "Foundational Movement Practices". (That's for googling purposes.)

Rock and Roll
Dynamic Tension
Walking Pose
Seated Procedure

Try and find them on the Internet. If you can't, let me know here or in Inbox and I will find a way to get the handout info to you.

I wonder in retrospect if doing Trauma Release Exercises by Berceli, previous to the apex of body terror, shook something loose.

Also, the chiro did a slight pressure under a left rib that seemed to remove the feeling of terror, which had become suddenly so extreme, and inappropriate to the context of my life.

I feel my arms were suddenly numb, etc. because a certain trauma I had been "carrying" 30 years had come up for release.

I know my posture has always been on the "turtle going into shell" side, as if trying to avoid abuse.

 

[Seasounds]

@franciemarnie, many thanks, I'll look them up, and get back to you if I need anything. I appreciate your kindness!
These will help my recent flare.

 

[franciemarnie]

Anytime @change. Just wanted to add one thing. A quick way to note how it effects your aroused sympathetic system is when you lie down to do the two you lie down for -- first note in seconds how long you are naturally inhaling and exhaling. When I am hyper, my breath is short and fast like a kitten's. One second inhale, 2 or 3 second exhale. After I do a minute of these exercises and then lie still, my inhales are 2-3 seconds and exhales 4-5.

As for the original question on this thread, for me, working out did get rid of anger pretty satisfactorily. It's the sadness and fear that seem embedded. I still vote some kind of bodywork for release of whatever seems both PTSD unpleasant and infinite.

 

[Hashi]

@LavenderGreen, have you tried somatic therapy? What you're talking about pretty much describes it but you haven't listed one. I had craniosacral therapy with a trauma specialist.

 

[bell]

Counter to what you think you need, have you tried a hobby that puts you in a meditative state like knitting? And just sitting with yourself and your breath? I find that sometimes I don't need to destroy, I need to breathe.

Sounds corny, I know, but it's cheaper than therapy to try.