Understanding and Using Body Syndromes in Therapy
(13 min read)

Leonie O'Connell

As therapists, our ultimate goal is to help clients achieve a state of well-being that encompasses both their mental and physical health. One intriguing concept that bridges the gap between these two realms is 'Body Syndromes.'

The concept of Body Syndromes, rooted in both historical teachings and modern psychological perspectives, suggests that unresolved emotional issues can manifest as physical symptoms. By understanding and addressing these connections, therapists can provide more holistic and effective care.

The term Body Syndromes is associated with hypnotherapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), somatic experiencing, and other mind-body therapies. The medical profession refers to bodily symptoms without a diagnosable cause, as psychosomatic disorders.

Body Syndromes refers to the idea that specific physical symptoms or conditions are linked to underlying emotional or psychological issues. Emotional stress and unresolved psychological issues can manifest as physical symptoms in the body, with certain areas or organs of the body potentially storing specific emotional traumas or stress.

Knowledge that the body and mind are interconnected has been understood since ancient times. Historically, early records of Body Syndromes date back to Ancient Greece (4th century BCE) when Hippocrates, often considered the father of medicine, proposed that emotions influence physical health, laying the foundation for the mind-body connection in Western medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recognised the interconnectedness of the mind and body, using practices such as acupuncture and herbal medicine to balance the body's energy (Qi).

In the 17th century, philosopher René Descartes introduced Cartesian dualism, separating the mind and body, which dominated Western thought but also laid the groundwork for future discussions on their interaction. In the 19th century, the field of psychosomatic medicine began to take shape, with early physicians exploring the influence of mental states on physical health.

In the 20th century, Sigmund Freud and other psychoanalysts explored the connection between unconscious conflicts and physical symptoms, contributing to early psychosomatic theories. Wilhelm Reich developed theories on character structure and muscular tension, proposing that emotional repression could lead to illness. His work, and the research of many others, laid the groundwork for somatic therapies and Body Syndrome. In the 1960s, Alexander Lowen developed Bioenergetic Analysis, focusing on the relationship between body and mind through physical exercises and emotional expression. In the 1970s, the field of behavioural medicine emerged, integrating psychological and physical approaches to health.

In recent decades, research began to include the use of modern medical technology to demonstrate the science behind the concept of Body Syndromes. Jon Kabat-Zinn developed Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), demonstrating the benefits of mindfulness meditation for reducing stress and improving physical health. The continued rise of integrative medicine promoted holistic approaches to health, combining conventional medicine with alternative mind-body therapies.

Peter Levine developed Somatic Experiencing, a body-focused therapy for trauma, emphasising the role of bodily sensations in processing and healing traumatic experiences. Advances in neuroscience, particularly in the study of neuroplasticity, provided scientific evidence for the mind-body connection, showing how mental practices can physically change the brain.

Research in Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) explored how psychological factors influence the immune system, further validating the mind-body connection. Dr John Sarno explored the psychological roots of chronic pain through his work on Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS). Many other prominent researchers and scientists as well as people in the field of holistic healing have been instrumental in bringing mind-body knowledge into mainstream awareness. Bessel van der Kolk, Joe Dispenza, Gabor Maté, Bruce Lipton, Louise Hay, Dr John DeMartini, Candace Pert and Inna Segal are just a few of those who have made valuable contributions. The collective work of these and many others underscores the significance of the mind-body connection in achieving holistic health.

Today, Body Syndromes is a conceptual framework rather than a formal medical diagnosis. It is used to help practitioners identify and address the potential emotional or psychological roots of physical symptoms. By understanding these connections, therapists can work with clients to release stored emotions and reduce physical discomfort through hypnosis, and other therapeutic interventions.

Evidence of the mind and body being a single, interconnected system is illustrated in the animal kingdom, where animals such as antelopes respond to danger by shaking vigorously to release the fear and stress they've experienced. This physical act helps the antelope return to a state of calm and balance, or homeostasis, allowing it to move on without lingering stress or stored trauma.

In contrast, humans do not always process distressing or traumatic events immediately. Sometimes, we are unable to release these emotions promptly, leading to unprocessed feelings being stored in our bodies. This unresolved emotional stress can manifest physically, contributing to various symptoms and health issues.

When working with Body Syndromes, therapists look at patterns of physical symptoms that are connected to emotional or psychological states. Certain emotional conflicts or psychological issues manifest in specific areas of the body. This concept is rooted in the knowledge that unresolved emotional issues influence physical health. Many of the physical symptoms that people seek medical attention for are connected to mental and emotional issues.

There are five primary areas where these syndromes are commonly observed.

1. The Musculoskeletal System, resulting in symptoms of chronic pain, tension, stiffness, and muscle spasms. Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS), fibromyalgia, and chronic back pain are examples of musculoskeletal body syndromes.
2. The Gastrointestinal System, resulting in symptoms such as stomach aches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcers, and other digestive issues.
3. The Cardiovascular System, resulting in high blood pressure, heart palpitations, and other heart-related issues.
4. The Respiratory System, resulting in shortness of breath, hyperventilation, and asthma.
5. The Dermatological System, presenting as skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, hives, and acne.

In addition to the primary areas, pain in the upper body (shoulders, neck, head) is often associated with stress, heavy responsibilities, and carrying emotional burdens.

Issues in the chest and heart area are linked to emotions of grief, sadness, and heartache.

Stomach and digestive system problems are associated with anxiety, worry, and feelings of being unable to 'digest' or process life events.

Pain in the lower back and pelvic area are connected to issues of support, financial stress, and feelings of insecurity.

As therapists delve deeper into this information, it becomes evident how the body reveals important information from the subconscious mind through symbolic metaphors. A Body Syndrome is identified because the presenting issue is in the body. Uncomfortable symptoms should not be viewed as solitary events or issues. The conscious mind communicates through thoughts. The unconscious mind communicates through the body, and the body communicates through physical sensations and symptoms. Often, those symptoms are connected to past experiences, stresses, and traumas.

Unprocessed negative emotions are not isolated events but are connected to past experiences, conditions, and traumas. If there is a conflict between what we feel, and what we do, that conflict may start manifesting itself in physical symptoms. Luckily, these symptoms often manifest themselves in minor ways at first, so it is best to deal with them before they become larger problems. Symptoms are a warning that something isn't working and needs to be dealt with. Understanding this connection allows therapists to use this information effectively in hypnotherapy, significantly improving their ability to help clients deal with the causes of physical symptoms.

Significance of different parts of the body

HEAD
Control centre of the body, intelligence, processing information. Problems within the head and brain indicate feelings of being unable to control your own reality, loss of sense of self, stuckness, perfectionism. Source Psychology Today, WebMD.

FACE
Displays the emotional tone or mask we project to the world. We take care of our faces because it's the part of the body that is usually not covered by clothing, The face often reveals what's happening in the deeper emotions. Source Psychology Today

NECK
Represents flexibility in thinking and the willingness to see other sides of an issue. Stiffness can indicate stubbornness or inflexibility. The neck is the intermediary between the head and body. Conflicts are stored in the neck. Source Healthline

THROAT
Linked to communication and expressing oneself, the throat is also responsible for the intake of what gives us physical life: water, air, and food. Swallowing is the act of accepting that which sustains life. Problems in the throat arise from feeling shut down, stuck and fearful, and represents an inability to express ourselves and speak our mind. Sources Medical News Today

SKIN
Our protective layer from the external world. It represents protection and boundaries, and the separation of the external and internal worlds. Issues can reflect feelings of vulnerability and discomfort, either putting up barriers or having lack of boundaries between self and others.

SHOULDERS
Bear the weight of responsibilities and represent how we feel internally about our responsibilities. Issues can indicate feeling overwhelmed or burdened. The way we hold our shoulders displays to the outer world what's occurring in the inner world. The shoulders provide a duct between our heart energy and our arms. Source WebMD

ARMS
Represent our ability to take action and embrace life and others. With our arms we reach out, hug, touch, fight, protect, give and receive. Weakness in the arm represents holding back. Stiff or painful arms indicate struggle, resistance or reluctance to take action. Source Verywell Health

WRISTS
Epitomise flexibility in actions and movements. They connect thought with activity. Problems represent feeling bound, stuck, overburdened, and an inability to let go. Can indicate resistance to change. Source Healthline

HANDS
Symbolise grasping and letting go. We also create with our hands. Problems may indicate how well we are handling life. Is our grasp weak or strong? Are we holding on too tight? Arthritic hands can represent criticism and worry. Stiff hands represent resistance. Sweaty hands indicate feeling anxious nervous, fearful. Source Mayo Clinic

THE BACK
Represents support, strength, and dignity. The back is the supporting structure of our mind-body. It is what distinguishes us as being human as we stand upright. Being hunched over represents feelings of self-protection, fear and lack of confidence. The upper back reflects the reverse side of the heart. Discomfort represents pain from the past, irritation, and emotional frustration. The middle back holds our balance in the centre of the body. Discomfort represents emotional instability, feeling unprotected, and feeling stuck between your needs and expectations. The lower back represents the weight and responsibilities of being human. Isolation, loneliness, lack of security and support, financial stress, burdens, guilt, sexual frustrations can manifest in lower back symptoms. Source American Chiropractic Association

BUTTOCKS AND BOWELS
Buttocks are associated with strength, stability, and our humanness. They represent our ability to stand on two legs. Issues signify power struggles or lack of support. Bowels are related to elimination and release. Issues can represent a need to take control. Source Healthline

CHEST
Represents public identity, our sense of self. It houses the heart and lungs symbolising love, grief and breath. It is our projection of strength and security, and also represents our ability to show our true self. Issues indicate emotional pain, conflict, passion, fear, and forgiveness. Source Harvard Health

BREASTS
Represent femininity mothering, and of being nurturing toward self and others. Issues can indicate conflicts about care, trust, nurturing, or self-care.

RIB CAGE
Protects vital organs and symbolises protection of the heart and emotions. Issues can signify feeling vulnerable within structures of fear, limitation and control. Source Mayo Clinic

ABDOMEN
Protects the front of the body. Problems can represent fear of intimacy, lack of self-care and self-respect, and a fear of getting older. The gut is the feeling centre of the mind-body. It is here that our emotions and passions, self-worth, self-esteem, and confidence originate. Weight gain in this area can be a form of self-protection.

PELVIS
Supports balance and foundation. Represents balance, creation, direction and movement. Problems can indicate issues with stability or sexual health, and may be related to security, survival, and relationships. This is the area of birth and could involve issues with mother. Source Healthline

HIPS
The supporting structure between the legs and the body that allow for movement and progress. Issues suggest fear of change or moving forward in life and feeling unsupported. Source WebMD

LEGS
Move us forward through the world and represent how strong we feel. Issues can indicate fear of progress or perceived obstacles, instability, and carrying unresolved issues. Sources Verywell Health

KNEES
Relate to flexibility, pride and expressing feelings. Problems can indicate confusion and a fear of moving forward, stubbornness or difficulty in admitting vulnerability. Source Mayo Clinic

ANKLES
Provide support and mobility. Problems can signify lack of support or resistance to change, feeling rejected, fear of the future or reluctance to move forward. Source Healthline

FEET
Provide our foundation and direction and keep us grounded. Our connection to the physical world. Problems can indicate fear of the future or reluctance to move forward. Source Source WebMD

TOES
Help with our balance and represent the details of life. Issues could indicate over concern with small details or problems with attention to detail of minor aspects of life. Source Healthline

BONES
Bones symbolise our support system and strength - our supporting structure. Bone issues can indicate feeling unsupported or weak, and internal conflict. Source Verywell Health

JOINTS
Represent flexibility and ease of movement. Issues can signify resistance to change, feeling stuck, inflexibility, pushing down pain from the past and being self-critical. Source Arthritis Foundation

THE MUSCLES
Muscles represent strength and the ability to move, and they hold tension. Problems could indicate stress or feeling overburdened with a need to gain control. Source Mayo Clinic

MOUTH
Represents communication and intake. Issues can indicate worry, difficulty taking in new ideas or expressing oneself, lack of understanding or overwhelm. Source WebMD

TONGUE
Embodies speech and taste - how we taste life and express feelings. Problems could indicate feeling uncomfortable, difficulty in expressing oneself or reluctance to speak up. Source Healthline

JAW
Symbolises determination and suppressed anger. Tension can indicate stress or unexpressed anger. Clenching and grinding indicate repressing tension, feeling locked in or stuck in a pattern.

TEETH
Represent decisions and how we bite into life. Issues could indicate frustration, unresolved decisions and inability to deal with presenting issues. Source Mayo Clinic

STOMACH
Represents digestion and digesting life experiences. Problems could indicate feeling stuck in a pattern of fear and limitation, anxiety and difficulty processing emotions. Source Harvard Health

LIVER
The liver detoxifies the body and is associated with anger. Liver issues can indicate suppressed anger or toxicity, self-sabotage, irritation and self-punishment. Source Johns Hopkins Medicine

GALLBLADDER
Stores bile and affects digestion and relates to bitterness. Issues could signify deep feelings of frustration, irritation and resentment, and holding onto past hurts. Source Mayo Clinic

KIDNEYS
Our filtering system for waste. Issues could represent difficulty processing emotions, fear or imbalance in life, and being stuck in the past. Source National Kidney Foundation

PANCREAS
Produces insulin to maintain blood sugar levels and makes enzymes to break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Issues represent an imbalance of receiving and giving, working and enjoying, loving and being fearful, feelings of guilt and difficulty enjoying life. Source Healthline.

NOTE: If you are seeing a client with some type of body syndromes there is potentially a medical aetiology, so always be sure the client has had a full medical diagnosis and never give medical advice.

Hypnotherapy can be highly effective in addressing Body Syndromes. It allows therapists to bypass the conscious mind and work directly with the unconscious, where many of these emotional issues are stored. By reprogramming the unconscious mind, therapists can help clients release negative emotions and achieve a state of balance and well-being.

Guided imagery and visualisation are powerful techniques that can help clients process and release stored emotions. By guiding clients through mental images and scenarios, therapists can help them access and resolve deep-seated emotional issues. This process can alleviate physical symptoms by addressing their underlying emotional causes.

Parts therapy, also known as ego-state therapy, is a therapeutic approach that helps individuals address different 'parts' or aspects of their personality that may be in conflict. This can be particularly effective for Body Syndromes, which are physical manifestations of unresolved emotional issues. Somatic hypnotherapy can help clients become aware of and release physical manifestations of emotional stress. Regression Therapy involves guiding clients back to past events that may have triggered the emotional conflicts contributing to their body syndromes. By revisiting and reprocessing these events, clients can release stored emotions and reduce associated physical symptoms.

Working with past trauma can also be highly effective for addressing body syndromes that manifest due to unresolved emotional and psychological trauma. Various trauma therapy approaches can help alleviate these symptoms by addressing the underlying emotional distress.

Understanding and addressing Body Syndromes can make a tremendous difference in your ability to help clients deal with the causes of their physical symptoms. By recognising the interconnectedness of mind and body and employing techniques like guided imagery, visualisation, NLP, and hypnotherapy, as therapists we can help clients achieve lasting health and happiness.

Books and authors

Bruce Lipton, The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter & Miracles. Explores how beliefs and thoughts can influence cellular function and overall health.

Joe Dispenza, You Are the Placebo. Combines the latest research in neuroscience, biology, psychology, hypnosis, behavioural conditioning, and quantum physics to demystify the workings of the placebo effect.

John Sarno, The Divided Mind: The Epidemic of Mindbody Disorders. Explores the connection between emotional stress and physical symptoms.

Louise Hay, You Can Heal Your Life. Explores the power of affirmations and positive thinking in healing the body.

Bessel van der Kolk, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. A comprehensive look at how trauma affects the body and mind, and ways to heal.

Peter Levine. Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma. Introduces Somatic Experiencing and its role in healing trauma stored in the body.

Inna Segal The Secret Language of Your Body: The Essential Guide to Health and Wellness. Discusses the metaphysical meanings behind physical symptoms and provides healing techniques.

Candace Pert, Molecules of Emotion: The Science Behind Mind-Body Medicine. Examines how emotions and physical health are interconnected at the molecular level.

Gabor Maté, When the Body Says No: Exploring the Stress-Disease Connection. Explores how stress and emotional repression contribute to chronic illnesses.

Babette Rothschild, The Body Remembers: The Psychophysiology of Trauma and Trauma Treatment. Discusses how trauma is stored in the body and how it can be released.

Journals and articles

American Psychological Association (APA). Various articles and studies on the mind-body connection and the psychological roots of physical symptoms.

Harvard Health Publishing. Articles and resources on how emotional and psychological factors affect physical health.

Journal of Trauma & Dissociation. Research articles on trauma and its effects on the body.

Leonie O'Connell is a clinical hypnotherapist who has been in practice for 15 years in Sydney, Australia. She specialises in medical hypnosis, specifically working with chronic pain, tinnitus, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). She is also the founder and principal of the Academy of Therapeutic Hypnosis.