How abuse manifests in the body

Physical manifestations can be seen in how a person carries themselves. For example, their shoulders may round forward as if protecting their heart. You may see someone with an off-centered gait from imbalanced hips or tight IT bands. When an individual is going through these ebbs and flows of emotions and the healing process, the energy travels from our energetic body outward. So, people going through healing may notice their bodies struggling to keep up with them.

Other physical manifestations of psychological abuse include insomnia, chronic fatigue, joint pain, difficulty concentrating, and mood swings. Some long-term effects can also include headaches, eating disorders, and obesity. (Legg, 2019) Emotions can take a toll on the body, from heart palpitations to intense radiating pain. What can we do to help alleviate these manifestations while healing our emotional bodies as well? Here are some great options:

Yoga & Conscious Breathing Practices: One of the best forms of yoga for any trauma and bringing the physical and emotional body into a state of deep healing is Yoga Nidra. It brings the physical body and mind into a state of relaxation right before sleep, where the body heals from the inside out. You can learn more about Yoga Nidra here.

Reiki or Energy Healing: Reiki is an ancient Japanese form of intense energetic and physical healing. This practice is a gentle way for individuals to balance mind and body while still releasing physical manifestations of psychological abuse. You can learn more about Reiki here.

Physical Activity: When the body stores energy into physical pain, it causes somatic symptoms, which can also be released with physical activity. Even a simple walk or stretching first thing in the morning can help release a lot of this somatic pain. The most important thing to remember is to pace yourself and listen to your body. (Hartney, 2020)

At ARO, we are here to support you in your personal healing journey to complete wellbeing. We bring awareness and education to seven different types of abuse and help others heal and find peace. If you would like to learn more and donate to help others find refuge, please visit GoARO.org.

For more tips on healing from the physical manifestations of psychological abuse, please visit the resources listed below.

Hartney, E. (2020, July 07). How Emotional Pain Affects Your Body. Retrieved from Very Well Mind: https://www.verywellmind.com/physical-pain-and-emotional-pain-22421
Legg, T. J. (2019, November 21). What are the effects of emotional abuse? Retrieved from Medical News Today: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327080