Emotional injuries are a thing. I am a firm believer that our emotions are closely linked to the tensions experienced in our muscles. Emotional states trigger chemical changes which in turn alter the state of our muscles. A simple example of this is stress, a common emotional state. When we are stressed tension builds in the neck and upper back muscles such as the trapezius and levator scapulae.

I’d like to present a case study to you of a client I dealt with in the past who presented with debilitating lower back pain. This client was a 25yo male who presented with sciatic type pain down the left leg, a dull ache and pain across the lower back and stiffness through the left hip. He had received physiotherapy treatment for the 4 months previous to his first consultation with me. By the time I saw him, the pain he experienced left him having difficulties walking and maintaining one position for more than 10 minutes.

Initial treatment included trigger point therapy and dry needling, focusing on the quadratus lumborum, latissimus dorsi, erector spinae and gluteals. The client responded with some temporary improvements however these only ever lasted for a few days at a time. Reflexology was also used with some success, often providing relief for up to one week. As none of the treatment approaches I was attempting were leading to longer term relief I discussed with the client the use of energetic kinesiology to try and establish any other underlying causes that could be delaying recovery from the injury. Energetic kinesiology can assist in identifying emotional, chemical and physical issues. With the client’s approval, I conducted an energetic kinesiology session and uncovered an emotional issue that was linked to events in the client’s life as a 12yo which had never been addressed or resolved by the client.

Further discussion around these issues, along with continued soft tissue work resulted in the client not only being able to walk pain free within a week of the energetic kinesiology but also being able to run. Running was required by this client as they had to be able to pass a fitness test for their job. The soft tissue work was still required in order to assist the muscles in relaxing to a healthy state however without acknowledging the emotional issue any work done was only ever going to be a temporary fix.

While some will doubt that the emotional state of the client hindered their rehabilitation, it is important to consider all aspects of the treatment we provide so that we can ensure our client’s return to a healthy state, not just in body but also mind. Emotional injuries are a thing. I know from my own experience that emotional issues can both lead to and delay recovery from injury. An ongoing injury persisted until I became aware of an emotional issue that had started around the same time as the initial injury. Once I became aware of what the issue was my injury improved rapidly. Wholistic rehabilitation is the only way we can truly assist our clients. It is amazing to see the healing power of a listening therapist. While you are not there as a psychologist for the client, often just giving them an avenue to recognise the emotional injuries they are holding onto is all that is needed.