Can Emotions Cause Chronic Pain? Exploring the Mind-Body Connection
Many of us live with chronic pain or autoimmune conditions without fully understanding the root causes. In a recent episode of the Flip Your Mindset podcast, I sat down with Betsy Jensen, a physical therapist and bodywork expert, to discuss a profound topic—the connection between our past experiences, emotional health, and physical well-being.
Betsy’s personal journey through health challenges like ulcerative colitis, IBS, and rheumatoid arthritis sheds light on how deeply intertwined our emotions and physical health truly are.
Understanding the Mind-Body Connection:
Betsy shared her belief that many of her health issues were not merely physical but were tied to an unsustainable, high-stress lifestyle and unresolved childhood emotions. This led us to discuss a powerful concept: “feelings buried alive never die.” Ignoring or suppressing our emotions doesn’t make them go away; instead, these unresolved feelings can manifest as physical symptoms and conditions.
The Role of the Nervous System:
Our conversation delved into how the nervous system responds to stress and trauma. Betsy explained that when we feel unsafe or disconnected, our bodies enter a state of hypervigilance, constantly releasing stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. This can lead to a range of physical symptoms, from digestive issues to muscle tension, and even contribute to autoimmune conditions.
Healing Through Understanding and Addressing Emotions:
One of the key takeaways from our discussion is the importance of addressing core beliefs and emotions for true healing. Betsy highlighted the need for deep, personal work to uncover and process these emotions, using methods such as Parts work and inner child work. By understanding and soothing our nervous system responses, we can move from a state of stress and pain to one of calm and healing.
The insights shared in this episode with Betsy Jensen offer a new perspective on managing chronic pain and autoimmune conditions. By acknowledging the emotional roots of our physical ailments, we can take steps toward holistic healing. If you’ve been struggling with unexplained pain or health issues, I encourage you to explore the mind-body connection and consider the role that emotions play in your overall well-being.
Listen to the full episode here to learn more about how your feelings and past experiences might be affecting your health, and discover strategies for healing.
