The number one question the body is ALWAYS asking is: Am I safe?
This includes not only physical safety, but also emotional safety.
All of the nerves coming from the body and sending information to the brain are doing so to be able to help the brain make the decisions about what actions to take.
Is it too hot?’
What was that noise?
Ouch, that hurt. Let’s move away from that.
What’s amazing is that in a chronic pain state, the body actually grows new nerves and vasculature in a certain region of the body to be able to take in more information, such as in chronic tendinosis.
The body is always, always asking, “Am I safe? Am I safe? Am I safe?”
It’s also true emotionally. If someone is in an emotionally unsafe environment, their body literally can never relax. The nervous system has to stay on and vigilant and the muscles can never fully let go.
One client I saw was in an abusive relationship, she literally never knew when her husband was going to hit her. Some of our environments are more subtle. And, sometimes it’s our perception of an environment that needs shifting.
Take a minute to check in with your body. Talk to it. Ask yourself if you feel safe.
If you need help and need a safe environment to be cared for, then reach out. I’m here.
I’ll cover another question the body is always asking next week.
At your service,
Rebecca Lowe, PT, COMT, FAAOMPT, RYT
Orthopedic Manual Therapist and Yoga
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