Movement is the province of the muscular system: a child…
““Movement is the province of the muscular system: a child who needs to inhibit his or her natural feelings, whether for healthy or unhealthy reasons, also unconsciously either inhibits muscles that would express those feelings or activates muscles opposing those muscles of expression. In either case, the effect is the same: using the muscular body to keep the unacceptable emotions "under wrap." Touch can disrupt the patterns of muscular tension intended to inhibit emotions; thus, touch can have the effect of changing a person's emotional responses and promoting emotional healing.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Physical tension can be used to suppress emotions, and therapeutic touch can release that tension, altering emotional states and aiding healing.
In simple terms: Holding in feelings creates muscle tension; touch can loosen it and help emotions.
Key Takeaway
Use safe touch to release emotional tension.
Themes
psychology
embodiment
healing
emotions
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
advice
insight
When to use this quote
- stress management
- therapy sessions
- parent‑child interactions
- trauma recovery
Key Concepts
Somatic regulation
emotional expression
therapeutic touch
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your body hold onto unexpressed feelings?
- When might touch be inappropriate for emotional work?
A Different Perspective
Touch may not work for everyone and can be misinterpreted without consent.