[Dust]

Hi yall, I'm new here, but so far I really like it here. Everyone seems very suportive. =)
As far as my question...sometimes when I'm reading an article on abuse or something, my arm hurts. I know it might sound stupid...it's like the bone in my forarm hurts. If I stop reading the article or whatever and do something else, it stops. Was wondering if that's ever happened to anyone else.
Thanks for listening,
Dust

[SweetCrusader]

maybe it's a body memory? i recently posted in the PTSD forum about those, because i don't know much about them. but that could be what it is ?

Angela (SweetCrusader)

-comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable-

[Dust]

That's what I thought at first. But I never got hurt there on my arm. Is odd. Thanks for replying though. =)

[Butterfly_Faerie]

It could be a body memory, something you are reading triggering you when you don't think it would.

That happens to me alot, but not with the pain in my arm, but just a trigger in general.

<font color=red>~</font color=red><font color=blue>S</font color=blue><font color=green>u</font color=green><font color=blue>n</font color=blue><font color=green>d</font color=green><font color=blue>a</font color=blue><font color=green>n</font color=green><font color=blue>c</font color=blue><font color=green>e</font color=green><font color=red>~</font color=red>

<font color=blue>"Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business."</font color=blue>

<font color=black>Norman Vincent Peale</font color=black>

[itsjustme111]

Dust; I agree with sweet and sundance. I have heard of this before. I think it could be a bad memory or memories. Maybe its too hard to read these types of posts right now; or possibly triggers something in your mind of the past. I dont feel that it is strange; sounds very normal to me that your body would react that way. This might sound like to much information; when I was nursing my son; the simple sound of soft music or a lullaby song would trigger my body into thinking its time to feed. Just a thought. Let us know how it goes.
itsjustme

[gloria]

Hey, it might be PDST or it might be a muscular thing. Does it only happens when you read about abuse? How about when you read a big heavy book?

Have you talked to your Dr. about it?

gab

[Dust]

As far as "big heavy books" lol, I am a serious stephen king fan, so I read a LOT, lol. Reading is one of the ways I used to escape into another world growing up. No, it never bothers me when reading, and thus far has not done it while reading posts here. Although, I've been careful with that, didn't want to go in too strong and overbalance or anything.
Was just wondering though, is a body memory something you and your body remember or can it just be your body remembering it?
Anyway, thanks yall for all the suport, it's new and kinda scary to me right now, but in a good way. So thanks.

[mandala]

It can just be your body remembering, and you or may not be able to eventually attack "visual" memories to the sensations.

Associations (physical and mental) are funny things. You could have hurt your arm as a child playing outside, and felt vulnerable and that could have connected to your feelings of being abused and injured... so now you connect abuse with your arm hurting.

Or there might be some more direct connection.

Also, you could look into Eastern medicine and what that area of the body may symbolize -- for instance, some back pain is said to be associated with the "past".

I've done reiki on body pain and it's been very effective.

M

[Butterfly_Faerie]

A body memory isn't something you might remember, only your body. It's another form of a flashback. Your body feels that threat, but your mind may not.

The book that helped me better understand Body Memories is called The Body Remembers By- Babette Rothchild I think that's her last name?

Here's a better explanation about body memories. I will also provide the link at the bottom.

Body Memories:-

Memories can remain stored in our bodies in sensations, feelings, and physical responses. Even if we do not know what took place, fragments of what we suffered endure. You may be assailed by un explained physical pain or arousal, fear, confusion or any other sensory aspect of the abuse. You may physically reexperience the terror, your body may clutch tight, or you may feel that you are suffocating and cannot breathe.

Often a touch, sound, smell, a certain phrase, a spoken word, a tone of a voice, a picture, a gathering, use of alcohol & drugs, a massage, or even a written word will trigger memories.

Sometimes memories come when you are feeling safe and on the other hand difficult or painful times may precede remembering.

Also memories will come when the abused child becomes a parent and their own children are at the age they were, when the abuse took place.

Not everyone will know when a memory is going to start, but a lot of us do get warnings. It could be a certain series of feelings, that might clue you in. you may have frightening dreams, sleep poorly, stomach may get tight, scared, angry, sad, fearful, and anxiety might set in. And sometimes instead you may of been subject to an environment of inappropriate boundaries, lewd looks, sexually suggestive behavior, or emotional incest.

Sometimes you feel emotionally detached, when you remember with feeling, the helplessness, terror, physical pain, and day or night mares. You may feel you are being ripped open, crushed, suffocating, and nauseous. Sexual arousal may also accompany your memories, this may horrify you, but arousal is a natural response to sexual stimulation.

The more you heal, the more you see the memories are literally stored in our bodies, and they want to get out.

You may not want memories and indeed may feel it is not worth it , but otherwise we are going to carry the memories around with us for ever!!!

Your first allegiance must be to yourself.

Deal with things when you want to and you are ready.

Honor your own strength and feelings.

Do this only for yourself.

Use grounding exercise.

Physical exercises.

Reach out and contact one other person.

Breathe and listen to comforting relaxation music. etc.........

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.whitesoftheirlies.com/publishedarticles/bodymemories.htm>http://www.whitesoftheirlies.com/publishedarticles/bodymemories.htm</A>

<font color=red>~</font color=red><font color=blue>S</font color=blue><font color=green>u</font color=green><font color=blue>n</font color=blue><font color=green>d</font color=green><font color=blue>a</font color=blue><font color=green>n</font color=green><font color=blue>c</font color=blue><font color=green>e</font color=green><font color=red>~</font color=red>

<font color=blue>"Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business."</font color=blue>

<font color=black>Norman Vincent Peale</font color=black>