Fixed, Hardened, Stuck: an obstacle to health and a feature of dis-ease
As a somatic therapist and Certified Rosen Method Bodywork Practitioner with offices in Denver and Boulder, clients come to me for a variety of reasons: emotional, physical, personal, and relational. Often their complaints are overlapping, and it is hard for people to remember the real cause of their suffering.
The truth is that most of the time we have forgotten. Experiences from the past, encounters in the present, and emotions we don’t want to face can seem hopeless or pointless to confront.
So the brain and body do the best they can to support us in the only way they know how: by repressing, de-pressing, and ‘forgetting’ our truths—until they no longer can and we begin breaking down.
The Culprit is Often the Tension We Hold Inside
The most obvious sign of this phenomenon is how we hold tension in our bodies—which we all do—head to toe, 24/7, even when we sleep. We hold in, hold on, hold back, and hold down all day every day (and during the night). It is often why our sleep is disrupted, why many people grind their teeth or clench their jaw, have chronic headaches, stomach aches, muscle stiffness or tightness, and why we feel fatigued or stressed out much of the time. Even more so when things don’t go according to plan ( how we hope they will go).
This is Often the Case in People with a Diagnosis of Chronic Disease or Inflammatory Conditions
I frequently see an even more pronounced version of this tension or holding in clients who have been diagnosed with chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, and Rheumatoid Arthritis, progressive neuromuscular diseases like Parkinson’s, MS, and Myasthenia Gravis, inflammatory pelvic and gastrointestinal conditions like endometriosis, ovarian cysts, benign bladder and prostate conditions, Chron’s Disease, IBS, IBD, and chronic pain disorders often diagnosed as fibromyalgia, RSD, and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.
I find that many of these clients, unbeknownst to even themselves, feel to the touch extremely rigid, fixed, hardened, and literally stuck in their bodies. While entirely understandable given the stress and worry we can experience during a health crisis and invasive treatment, the fact is that creating and holding added tension in our bodies doesn’t aid recovery and drains us of vital energy we need to heal and is restored when we can deeply relax.
Sadly, the habitual tensing and holding we do often isn’t even necessary anymore, doesn’t do anything for us now, keeps us from resting, greatly limits our ability to move and breathe, and interrupts the free flow of blood and nutrients that support optimal functioning and which can be available to us no matter what we are going through.
There’s Great News Here
We survived everything that happened in the past, and relaxation in the present is essential to restoring physical and emotional balance, regulation, and wellness.
It is like unplugging our computer, letting it rest and reset, and then plugging it back in. Sometimes, it is all the brain and body need to recharge, re-boot, and return to their mission of normal, optimal functioning per our design and factory settings. Letting go of the tension we hold can also spur a quick transition from fight, flight or freeze survival living due to trauma to rest and digest healthy thriving which is our birthright.
The work I do is very gentle and helps You feel where and how You hold tension in Your body. Beginning with that awareness, the brain and body experience a gentle 'letting go’ of the tension which then becomes the new normal even in times of stress.
A gentle, simple strategy for healthy, vibrant living, and a wonderful complement to all medical and complementary healthcare programs and treatment plans.
Feel free to phone me at 303.704.8331 for more information and to learn how this simple and profound work might benefit You, especially if You are feeling ‘stuck’ and could use some support.
Todd R. Schwartz is a somatic therapist and Certified Rosen Method Bodywork Practitioner with offices in Denver and Boulder, Colorado. My work is not a form of, or a substitute for, medical or mental health diagnosis, care and treatment. My work is, however, a fine complement to these and all other health and wellness approaches.
Copyright © Todd R. Schwartz, 2024.