Physio reckons I'm suffering back pain because Im holding on to past emotional trauma - if he is right, what do I do about it?

[TimeForWhine]

He seemed to think that past trauma is being 'stored' in my upper body, hence the back pain. He said I need to find a way of 'discharging' the tension/trauma and suggested body work psychotherapy...but I don't actually know what he means. Can anyone suggest anything? Part of me thinks he could well be right - I have had so much talking therapy over the years, but some stuff I just never seem to resolve. Maybe a different approach is needed.

[hellogoodbyeendo]

Didn't want to read and run. My first thoughts are of mindfulness practice which can connect awareness of emotions and the body, and also a registered osteopath who also does cranial osteopathy who might be able to help make those connections. I hope somebody with better answers and knowledge about body work psychotherapy comes along soon and am watching with interest.

[sadie9]

What he may be talking about is Sensorimotor Psychotherapy which has proved helpful for people who have suffered physical abuse or other physical trauma to their bodies. Or possibly emotional trauma that caused them to assume certain body positions that were assumed to protect them from further harm.
Theory is, via my half-assed explanation, is that the brain, in order to protect the body, keeps holding the body a certain way in a defensive stance. And that with some work certain movements can be released in the body to get the body to allow you to move in different ways.
It is linked to the brain as certain learned pathways of movement are learned by the brain. Then it is thought that, the brain won't allow the body to go any further on the pathways. However, with a skilled therapist, it is possible to work on this, and in a relatively short timeframe, to allow the body to create new pathways of moving.
It is also useful for PTSD where someone's body has been involved in an incident. There is more info here, please note I know nothing about this organisation, I just know someone who has been training in this area and has found it a really great help for people.
www.sensorimotorpsychotherapy.org/home/index.html