Healing Chronic Back Pain and Finding Emotional Freedom
This case illustrates how EFT and integrative healing methods—such as Grief Recovery Method, TMR Transformative Memory Repatterning, and Internal Family Systems can help release physical pain that is rooted in emotional trauma and unresolved grief.
When a vibrant 65-year-old woman first came to see me, she was suffering from recurring, excruciating back pain. The pain would appear suddenly, with sharp, shooting spasms that left her fearful of when it might strike next. It had become so debilitating that she was afraid to move freely or enjoy her life. Eventually, she was forced to quit her job.
Before her back issues began, she had been an active, adventurous woman who loved traveling and taking part in yoga and Zumba classes. But over time, pain and fear began to dictate her life. She longed to return to the freedom and joy she once felt.
When we began working together using EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), I asked her to pay attention to when the pain would appear and what thoughts were running through her mind at those moments.
Through gentle exploration, she noticed a pattern—the pain often surfaced during times of relaxation or enjoyment, especially when she was on vacation.
This insight revealed a subconscious conflict: a part of her felt unsafe or undeserving of ease and pleasure. Beneath the physical pain was emotional pain—a deep-seated belief that she couldn’t (never felt safe) let go and truly relax and “have a good time.”
As I reviewed her intake form and spoke with her further, it became clear that her body was holding years of unprocessed trauma. She had grown up in a communist country, and her father was rageful and unpredictable. Her mother, though loving, was trapped in a painful marriage, trying to shield her daughter as best she could. Much of her childhood was spent in survival mode, and she had blocked many of her memories—a sign of long-term trauma (PTSD).
We began with the Grief Recovery Method, focusing on her relationship with her mother. Over seven weeks, we released layers of suppressed grief, fear, and resentment. We incorporated Transformative Memory Repatterning (TMR), EFT, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help her safely connect with and heal her younger self by healing multiple traumatic memories.
With Transformative Memory Repatterning (TMR), I would offer the option to bring in the light of truth and wisdom—what I believe to be the Holy Spirit's presence. The Light can bring peace and clarity to one's healing process. This allows us to feel safe letting go of the limiting belief we learned at the time of trauma and receiving a more truthful, self-affirming belief. The result is a sense of greater wholeness, grounding, and connection.
By the end of our seven weeks together, she reported that her back pain had subsided. She said, “My back is okay—no pain incidents, and the fear is at a low level.”
This case is a beautiful reminder that our bodies will tell us more of what is going on in our hearts and minds than our brain does. Our body responds to our subconscious beliefs. When we bring compassion, awareness, effective healing techniques, and truth to the places of pain, healing flows naturally—emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
