Academic research investigating the link between tight hips, trauma and chronic health conditions (e.g. hormone imbalances)

Academic research investigating the link between tight hips, trauma and chronic health conditions (e.g. hormone imbalances)

Want to know if your body is holding onto unprocessed emotions or ‘stuck’ trauma? Notice how tight your hips are.

(If you’re not sure, try to get into a yogi squat)...

Why your hips? Well, when you experience stress or trauma your psoas muscle (which connects your diaphragm to hip joint) tightens or contracts - readying you to take action such as fighting or fleeing. 

Pretty clever really.

Your adrenal glands also join in, releasing stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline from their home along the psoas muscle. 

And the third key player in this intricate system are neuropeptides - chemical messengers that are released during emotional experiences that drive the mind-body connection by influencing your muscle tension, gut function, and cardiovascular responses. 

The reason why releasing the psoas through somatic movements is incredibly important (I teach this in The Reset Bundle) is because this relationship is also bidirectional. 

Meaning it goes both ways, let me explain:

If the psoas muscle remains chronically tense, it can signal to the body that it is in a constant state of stress or threat, which leads to the continuation of the release of cortisol in an attempt to manage the perceived threat. 

This is why the psoas is often called the “soul muscle”, because it holds onto unprocessed emotions and traumas at a deep and cellular level. 

The lesson here then is, somatic exercises are KEY for getting your stress hormones and overall health, back to balance.

If you want to get started, join the hundreds of women inside my Restore Challenge and experience the magic of my unique method, ThetaSomatics™. 

 

And for the curious, I’ve provided a list below of top academic studies, articles and books for those that want to learn more about the relationship between the hips, unprocessed trauma and health concerns like hormonal issues. 


Hormone Health & Fertility
 
Wider health conditions / concerns 
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