Suppressed anger, frustration and rage as possible cause of back pain

A client emailed me asking if I could help her. She had a big trip planned for the fall, but two weeks before her email, she was diagnosed with a severe herniated disc. During the first treatment, she couldn’t sit and was standing in the waiting room, full of emotions.

The first thing I decided to do was to calm her breathing and nervous system before we had any further conversation. During the treatment, I saw her relax; her breathing became calmer, and her body was less tense. I thought to myself, the conversation can wait until later.

A few days later, I received a message from her saying that, for the first time, she had been pain-free for a few days, which was exceptional for her. It gave her some hope.

During the second treatment, I got to know more about her. Again, I decided not to only work on the fascia but also involve the nervous system. She relaxed, and tears flowed; she was able to release her emotions.

She has worked incredibly hard in her business, where, according to her, many would have given up, but she kept going. This trip is her dream, where she plans to do various thrill-seeking activities with her partner and perhaps take the next step in their relationship afterward.

I explained to her that back pain is often related to suppressed anger, frustration, or rage, and the inability to express these emotions often begins in childhood. Back pain is therefore a suppressed fight mechanism. Through the spinal nerves, you get the impulse to fight, and if that's not possible, this fight mechanism is suppressed, which causes back pain.

This suppression also leads to the dorsal branch of the vagus nerve (the large "fight or flight" nerve) being more developed than the ventral (the relaxation and feeling connected to your body side), meaning you’re not really connected to your body. I explained that it’s quite normal to enjoy adventurous activities because they make you feel connected to your body. Slowly, all the puzzle pieces started to fit. She was frustrated at work, had to hold back, and still had to fight for her place. She had to grow up quickly as a child, and will the planned trip turn out as she had imagined? All these frustrations and anger.

Awareness is a very important part of healing.

During the treatment, I focus entirely on relaxing the nervous system and exercises to activate the ventral branch of the vagus nerve, which I also give her to practice at home.

She has regained confidence in her trip and the fact that her back will be okay. With each treatment we’ve done and the exercises she practices, her pain signals have steadily diminished.

Do you have back pain and want to know more about it?

info@fasciaflow.nl