Comments on: MBS Blog #27: Joe’s story: A journey towards wisdom

By: Dr. Schubiner

Dr. Schubiner — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 20:38:38 +0000

Many people have commented on this concept, that certain physical symptoms are typically representative of certain underlying emotions. I certainly see that on some occasions, when the nature of the pain is symbolic of an underlying issue. For example, if someone is a pain in your neck, you may develop neck pain, if someone makes you sick, you may have nausea, etc. However, applying this concept to all people is, in my opinion, a bit too simplistic. There are many other reasons for certain physical symptoms to arise, as I mention in my book, Unlearn Your Pain. Sometimes certain disorders occur because of a prior injury in that area (thus activating learned nerve pathways, because of “social contagion,” or simply because certain symptoms tend to “run in the family.” Taking detailed and careful histories will usually determine why someone has specific symptoms caused by underlying stress and unresolved emotions.
Best wishes, Howard.

By: martina

martina — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 08:13:49 +0000

Many thanks for your prompt reply Dr. Schubiner. Having read Deb Shapiro’s “Your Body speaks your mind” book where she makes the connection of specific physical pain connected to somewhat related emotions such as pain in the hip – problems with finding ones direction probably rooted in past negative events, shoulder pain – carrying too much on your own etc…do you find these observations useful and applicable in your practice? Thanks M

By: Dr. Schubiner

Dr. Schubiner — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 01:34:38 +0000

Thanks for your comment, Martina. While it is somewhat speculative to try to understand exactly what is happening in the subconscious mind (or unconscious mind, and I use these terms interchangeably), it is often helpful to describe processes that make sense and shed light on how the mind works. As I mention in my book, the mind is constantly scanning the world for danger and danger is perceived with the stresses of modern life. Danger signals cause the body to respond to protect us by activating the fight, flight, freeze, or submit reactions. These can cause pain and many other symptoms. Danger signals are particularly caused by situations that trigger strong emotions and when those emotions are buried, not recognized, suppressed, or are conflictual, physical reactions commonly occur. Whether the body is alerting us, protecting us, or diverting attention is not totally clear, but it may be a combination of all three or different aspects at different times. In any case, we can change those reactions and resolve the physical symptoms.
Best, Howard.

By: martina

martina — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:50:01 +0000

I love Joe’s story. I am Bowen Practitioner and combine Bowen and Neuro Linguistic Programming and Hypnosis to help people with psychosomatic disorders. Before I started studying Dr. Sarno’s take on TMS and yours now on MBS I always considered the unconscous mind trying to alert us about buried negative emotions through physical pain rather than divert attention from it. The UM is serving us in the best possible way and through the physical pain we get alerted to invited to start dealing with the emotional problems, negative emotions. Is that a way we can look at the MBS as well? http://www.syncholistic.com What is your take on that? Martina