Resources & Notables

The 7 areas where people are thought to store emotions in their body

Based on body-mind connection theories, which have been explored in various psychological and somatic disciplines. The understanding of where emotions are stored in the body comes from a combination of ancient wisdom, psychological theories, somatic practices, energy psychology and modern neuroscience. While specific regions may vary slightly between traditions, many systems agree on certain areas—such as the chest (for grief or anxiety), the stomach (for fear), and the lower back (for insecurity or stress)—as common sites where emotions are stored.

Here’s a breakdown of the primary resources and concepts that inform these ideas:

1. Somatic Psychology and Psychosomatic Medicine

Somatic psychology focuses on how emotions and psychological experiences are stored and manifested physically in the body. Somatic therapists work with the physical body to release trauma and stress stored in different parts of the body.
Psychosomatic medicine is the study of the connection between mind and body, looking at how emotional states (stress, anxiety, trauma) can lead to physical ailments. This field offers strong evidence for how unresolved emotional issues can manifest in bodily symptoms (e.g., tension, pain, digestive issues).
Key figures:
- Bessel van der Kolk (author of The Body Keeps the Score) explored the ways in which trauma is stored in the body and how it affects both mental and physical health.
- Peter Levine (founder of Somatic Experiencing) developed the concept of "somatic trauma release,"emphasizing how emotions are physically stored and how trauma can be "locked" in the body, particularly in areas like the neck, shoulders, and lower back.

2. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Energy Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has long held that emotions are stored in specific organs and meridians. For instance, anger is said to be stored in the liver, fear in the kidneys, and grief in the lungs.
Energy psychology also draws on these principles, proposing that emotional blockages in the body's energy system (like the meridian system in TCM) can lead to physical and psychological issues.
Key resources:
- Dr. John Diamond and his work on emotional causation of physical illness have explored the connection between emotion and physical health.
- EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) or Tapping often works with these energy systems to release emotional blockages.

3. Theories of Body-Centered Therapy

Body-centered therapies, such as Hakomi Therapy and Integrative Body-Mind Training (IBMT), emphasize the relationship between body sensations and emotional states. These therapies often help individuals explore how certain emotions are held in the body and can be released through somatic awareness and healing.
Key figures:
- Ron Kurtz, founder of Hakomi Therapy, developed methods for identifying how emotions and past experiences are stored in bodily postures, gestures, and tension patterns.
- Gabriel Roth, a pioneer in movement therapy, explored the connection between body movement and emotional release, particularly through dance and body awareness practices.

4. Neuroscience and the Body-Mind Connection

Neuroscience has increasingly confirmed the intimate relationship between emotions and the body. The polyvagal theory by Stephen Porges emphasizes how the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the vagus nerve govern the body’s physical reactions to emotions (fight, flight, freeze responses) and can influence where tension or emotion is stored.
Key studies:
- Research by Candace Pert on neuropeptides demonstrated how emotions are linked to biochemical substances in the body and how these chemicals can accumulate in various organs, leading to both emotional and physical health challenges.
- Bruce Lipton’s work on epigenetics shows how belief systems and emotions can impact the expression of our genes, which can in turn affect areas like inflammation, pain, and immune response.

5. The Work of Louise Hay

Louise Hay, the best-selling author of You Can Heal Your Life, created a list that links specific physical ailments with emotional causes. For example, she suggests that lower back pain may be connected to issues with support, while shoulder pain may relate to carrying burdens or emotional weight.
Her work has been widely influential in the mind-body-spirit healing community, and she emphasized how self-love and emotional healing can reverse or alleviate physical conditions.

6. The Chakra System (Energy Centers)

In yogic traditions and energy healing practices, emotions are believed to be stored in the body’s chakra system. Each chakra is associated with particular emotional states:
- Root chakra (base of the spine) – related to survival, security, fear.
- Sacral chakra (lower abdomen) – related to creativity, pleasure, guilt, and sexuality.
- Solar plexus chakra (upper abdomen) – related to personal power, self-esteem, shame.
- Heart chakra (center of the chest) – related to love, grief, and forgiveness.
- Throat chakra (throat) – related to communication, truth, and fear of expression.
- Third eye chakra (forehead) – related to intuition, wisdom, and fear of the unknown.
- Crown chakra (top of the head) – related to spiritual connection, confusion, and disconnection from the divine.
This chakra-based understanding provides a holistic framework for identifying where emotions might be held within the body.

7. The Work of Dr. David Hawkins and the Map of Consciousness

Dr. David R. Hawkins, in his book Power vs. Force, introduced the Map of Consciousness, which illustrates how emotions have different energetic frequencies. He shows that low-frequency emotions like fear, guilt, and shame are stored in the body and can weigh people down physically and mentally, while higher frequencies like love, joy, and peace are healing.
The work of Hawkins and others in energy psychology (such as Barbara Brennan’s work on the human energy field) links specific emotions with physical manifestations and imbalances in the energy field, supporting the idea of emotional storage in the body.

Pregnancy & Fertility

The studies outlined below show strong evidence that psychological and emotional factors can significantly influence physical fertility issues. Whether it's stress, anxiety, trauma, or negative beliefs, these factors can impact hormonal balance, immune function, egg and sperm quality, and reproductive health. RTT, by addressing these subconscious emotional triggers, has the potential to create a more supportive environment for conception.

While RTT is not a substitute for medical treatments, it can be a valuable complementary tool for couples struggling with fertility challenges. By reducing stress, healing emotional wounds, and fostering a positive, open mindset, RTT helps create the conditions for optimal physical fertility.

1. Hormonal Imbalances (e.g., PCOS, Endometriosis, Irregular Ovulation)

Research Supporting the Role of Mind-Body Connection in Hormonal Health:

Stress and Ovulation Disruption:
A study published in Human Reproduction found that stress can affect ovarian function and hormonal regulation, making conditions like PCOS and endometriosis more difficult to manage (Givens, M., & Allen, C., 2009). The study concluded that psychological stress disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which is crucial for normal hormonal balance and ovulation.
Mind-Body Interventions for PCOS:
Research published in The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research (2015) found that mind-body interventions, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), helped reduce stress, anxiety, and insulin resistance in women with PCOS, improving their hormonal health.

RTT and Hormonal Imbalances:

RTT, by targeting subconscious stress and emotional blockages, aims to reduce stress levels, which directly affects cortisol and other stress hormones that can disrupt the hormonal cycle.

2. Low Sperm Count and Poor Sperm Quality

Research on Stress and Male Fertility:

Stress and Sperm Quality:
A 2016 study published in Fertility and Sterility explored the effect of psychological stress on male fertility, noting that men experiencing high levels of stress had lower sperm motility and sperm concentration. It concluded that psychological stress is a significant factor in male infertility, and managing it could improve sperm quality (Zorn et al., 2016).
Mindfulness and Male Fertility:
Research conducted in 2014 by Sadeghi et al. found that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)significantly reduced psychological stress in men, which in turn improved sperm count and motility in men undergoing fertility treatments.

RTT and Male Fertility:

RTT can help men address subconscious stress, anxiety, or performance pressure associated with conception, which may help improve sperm production and quality. By lowering emotional tension and fear, it creates an environment more conducive to fertility.

3. Ovulatory Dysfunction (Anovulation, Luteal Phase Defects)

Research on Stress and Ovulation:

A study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (2001) found that stress could delay or completely inhibit ovulation in women, particularly in those who already have irregular cycles. The study concluded that psychological stress disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, which is involved in regulating ovulation (Sartorius et al., 2001).
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Ovulation:
A 2010 study published in Fertility and Sterility explored the use of CBT in women with anovulation. Women who participated in mind-body interventions, including CBT, had improved ovulatory function compared to those who did not.

RTT and Ovulation:

RTT helps release emotional blockages around fertility and ovulation, creating a state of calm that supports the hormonal systems required for regular ovulation.

4. Fallopian Tube Blockages

Emotional Stress and Physical Blockages:

Psychosomatic Medicine and Blockages:
Research in psychosomatic medicine shows that unresolved emotional trauma or chronic stress can manifest in the body as physical blockages. For example, the work of Bessel van der Kolk in The Body Keeps the Scoreexplores how trauma is stored in the body and can affect different organ systems, leading to physical issues such as tubal blockages or pelvic congestion.
Energy Healing and Physical Blockages:
Energy psychology modalities like EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) have shown that addressing the emotional root causes of blockages can help improve physical conditions, including pelvic adhesions or fallopian tube obstructions, through emotional healing.

RTT and Physical Blockages:

RTT helps clear the emotional blockages that may manifest physically in the fallopian tubes or reproductive organs. By addressing the root causes of emotional tension, RTT helps release energetic blockages that could be hindering fertility.

5. Uterine Conditions (Fibroids, Endometriosis, Adenomyosis)

Mind-Body Connection in Uterine Health:

Emotional Trauma and Uterine Conditions:
Studies, including one published in Fertility and Sterility (2003), have suggested that emotional trauma and chronic stress are linked to the development of fibroids and endometriosis. The research concluded that psychological factors can exacerbate uterine conditions by increasing inflammation or disrupting hormonal balance.
Mindfulness and Stress Reduction:
Research published in Human Reproduction (2011) explored how mindfulness-based interventions can reduce inflammation and improve uterine health by decreasing stress and emotional disturbance. Mindfulness is associated with a reduction in inflammatory markers, which is significant for those with endometriosis or fibroids.

RTT and Uterine Conditions:

RTT addresses the subconscious emotional factors such as repressed trauma, anxiety, and unresolved grief, which can manifest in conditions like fibroids, endometriosis, and adenomyosis. By releasing these emotional stressors, RTT creates a healing environment for the uterus and reproductive system.

6. Low Egg Quality and Ovarian Reserve

Stress and Egg Quality:

Psychological Stress and Oocyte Quality:
A study published in Fertility and Sterility (2011) showed that chronic psychological stress can negatively impact oocyte quality and ovarian reserve in women undergoing IVF treatment. This research highlights the negative impact that emotional stress can have on egg quality.
Mind-Body Interventions for IVF Success:
A 2014 study in Human Reproduction found that mind-body interventions such as CBT, meditation, and guided imagery improved pregnancy rates among women undergoing IVF. The reduction in psychological stress supported better egg quality and ovarian function.

RTT and Egg Quality:

RTT helps reduce stress and anxiety related to fertility, creating a more relaxed state conducive to optimal hormonal function. By addressing underlying fears and negative beliefs, RTT improves emotional resilience, which supports better egg health.

7. Immune System and Inflammation Issues (Autoimmune Disorders)

Emotional Stress and Immune System Dysregulation:

Stress and Immune Function:
A study published in Psychosomatic Medicine (2003) showed that psychological stress can dysregulate the immune system, leading to autoimmune conditions or chronic inflammation. This dysregulation can affect fertility, particularly for women with autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or lupus.
Mindfulness and Immune Function:
Research conducted by Cohen et al. (2012) found that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) helped lower cortisol levels and improved immune function, which can support fertility for women with autoimmune conditions.

RTT and Immune Health:

RTT helps release subconscious stress and trauma that may be contributing to immune system dysregulation. By promoting emotional healing, RTT aids in reducing chronic inflammation, potentially improving immune health and supporting fertility.

Intuitive Healing