Feeling Stiffness
Do you feel stiff? Joints creak and groan a bit from time to time? What do you make of it?
Stiffness runs in my family, mum, uncle, brothers and son so I guess there is a genetic element to it. Plus the older family members will probably have degenerative changes. None of us have sustained major injuries. Alongside genetics and degeneration, I want to explore whether stiffness can sometimes reflect how we habitually restrain ourselves emotionally or psychologically.
These musings are based on an understanding of pain science, 44 years of working as an osteopath and recently certifying as a life coach. I am offering it to you as something that maybe helpful to you, but please note you must look at medical interventions if necessary.
My thoughts and musings are based on my experiences and understanding of myself. Yours will be different, based on your life and that’s great because we are all different.
I am only postulating this as it may resonate with some of you and give you a new place to look for answers.
Our thoughts about ourselves have many filters and are also stories that we tell ourselves. They may be true or totally erroneous, its always worth noticing a regular thought and ask yourself “is this true?” or “is this true all of the time?”
Recently I had an incident where a friend really irritated me and my response (mentally at least) was absolute fury. Totally out of proportion I felt like a volcano erupting. Now I had the sense not respond to said friend while I was raging. I did however have a coaching session with a great colleague (thank you Eva) and I recognised this powerful force which can be represented as the Hindu goddess Kali. Giver of life and death, usually pictured on battlefields with a necklace of skulls around her neck.
Not someone you’d want to mess with!
I still don’t quite understand why I had such a strong reaction; but I noted the feeling of strength, aliveness, drive and power.
What I also noticed was that while in contact with this powerful sensation my back was a lot less stiff. It was like being suffused by a very effective softening oil. Not that rage is the answer but temporarily feeling more powerful altered my general body tone.
I am a cautious type and worry making mistakes and I did wonder whether stiffness can sometimes function as a physical braking system—an embodied caution developed over a lifetime.
That a lifetime of being ‘sensible’ has a physical outcome.
A friend talks about her back stiffness as ‘blocking’. I was struck by her language. She is a keen knitter and once you have knitted a piece you block it;
What is the reason for blocking a piece of knitting?
It smooths out the wrinkles……she told me about her childhood role of “mothers’ little helper”. Being good and helpful, smoothing the way. She didn’t make waves; she would have been in trouble if she had done.
It has become her lifetime pattern to remove the ripples before they cause trouble.
The good/scared child is still inside no matter how competent you become outwardly.
When life throws a few too many challenges or if you aren’t living the life you really want, our bodies may present us with signs and symptoms that invite reflection.
You might try gently asking: What does this stiffness/symptom want me to do, slow down, avoid, or contain?
And if it had a voice, what might it be saying?”
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and hoping 2026 brings you joy.