How I Used Self-Expression to Overcome Back Pain.

For a long time, self-expression has been accepted and practiced as a useful therapeutic tool to unlock inner pain but what if I told you that it can also alleviate your physical pain.
As a coach dedicated to using a mind body approach to pain recovery, I do not believe that treating the mind and body as two separate entities has the same power as when working with the whole. The mind influences the physical, the physical the mind. The impact of self-expression on our overall health is profound. When we learn to express ourselves safely and freely, this leads to both release and relief, as we process and let go of bottled-up emotions or thoughts. This cathartic process has been proven time and again to reduce stress and anxiety levels. When working with chronic pain clients, the turning point in their recovery often starts when they understand and harness the power of self-expression. They go on to unlock new avenues that lead toward healing, growth, and mental resilience.
So why is this release of emotions so effective at relieving or completely overcoming the chronic physical symptoms that they are experiencing? The latest pain science and research now supports the fact that there does not have to be physical or structural abnormalities to experience and feel pain. We experience pain because our neural pathways have become sensitized and over time becomes a learnt response. This is called neuroplastic pain. The brain can create pain as a stress response, especially if we experience trauma or are exposed to stress for ongoing periods of time. Likewise, the brain also responds to perceived threats such as uncomfortable or unwelcome emotions in the same way. We consequently learn to suppress or repress our emotions, which can become a mental and physical burden.
When coaching, I encourage clients to have a go and be playful with self -expression, using verbal, non-verbal, or creative outlets until they find their own best fit.
Here are some suggestions to get you started;
Free writing and Journaling: I encourage your writing to be uncensored, a safe space for self-expression. Whether through journaling, free writing, or creative storytelling, putting thoughts on paper can help process emotions.
Pick up your paint brush: Using visual arts like painting, doodling, pottery or sculpting to express emotions and experiences. Particularly helpful for those who find verbal expression difficult. This is a non-verbal outlet for complex feelings.
Music and dance: Use the power of rhythm, melody, and movement to express emotions. Creating or listening to music and engaging in dance or movement can release endorphins, reduce stress, and provide a physical outlet for emotional expression.
Get dramatic: By using theatrical techniques to explore emotions. Role-playing, improvisation, and storytelling can help individuals gain new perspectives on their experiences.
Ready steady go: You can express yourself through the power of sport. Whether you throw on your trainers and jog around the block, join the local taekwondo team or bounce on your kids’ trampoline, channel your emotions into each step, move or bounce!
There are limitless opportunities to give yourself that voice that you deserve and need to create long lasting inner and outer peace, just have a go!
Finally, to add some context, the picture that I chose for this blog was a gift from my very talented brother-in-law Sean. As a part of his own personal experience and recovery from grief he chose to pick up some art materials and channel his emotions with every stroke of the brush. He creates the most beautiful and thought-provoking pieces, and I know that he has benefitted hugely from doing this. What was and still is a therapeutic outlet, became a hobby and now he exhibits and shares his work with others publicly, most recently at an exhibition specifically dedicated to grief.
Reach out to Lindsay at Vibrant if you need support and guidance to find your voice Contact