Returning to sports after a long break can be both exhilarating and daunting. For many, the physical aspects of training take center stage, but underlying emotional blockages often play a crucial role in both performance and recovery. This is the true story of Sarah, a 28-year-old mother of two, who discovered that healing her body required more than just physical training and rehabilitation — it required addressing the emotional layers that were silently holding her back.
The Return to Movement: a Challenge
Sarah had always loved running, and ran at a competitive level. But then she got married and started a family. Ten years ago now, pregnancy and the demands of raising her children — six and nine years old — took priority. Between sleepless nights, school runs, and family responsibilities, she never imagined how her life would change. She loved her family but she barely had time to think about herself. When she finally decided to get fit again and return to running, she was met with an unexpected challenge: her body wasn’t cooperating the way was she used to.
Wanting to get Back in the Game – and Hitting a Wall
A few weeks into training, she developed persistent knee pain and hip stiffness. Initially, she attributed it to being out of shape, but as the discomfort worsened, she became frustrated. Physiotherapy helped to some extent, but the pain would return as soon as she pushed herself. Feeling stuck, Sarah was on the verge of giving up when a friend suggested kinesiology.
Discovering Kinesiology
Skeptical but desperate, Sarah booked a session with a kinesiologist. The first thing she noticed? This wasn’t like any other appointment she’d had. Instead of focusing only on her knee, the kinesiologist asked about her life — her stress levels, her responsibilities, even her emotions.
Through gentle muscle testing, something surprising came up: her knee pain wasn’t just physical. It was linked to emotional stress.
Sarah frowned and asked: “How can emotions cause knee pain?”
The kinesiologist explained, “Your body holds onto stress in ways you might not even realize. Let’s dig a little deeper.”
The pain was linked to deep-seated emotional stress — particularly feelings of guilt and self-worth issues that had accumulated over the years. Sarah was stunned. How could emotions possibly be affecting her knee?
The Emotional Blocks Holding Her Back
Sarah’s kinesiologist explained that the body stores emotions in various muscle groups and energy systems. When unresolved, emotional stress accumulates. It creates imbalances that can manifest as pain, stiffness, or recurring injuries. In Sarah’s case, muscle testing revealed that her knee pain was associated with feelings of:
- Guilt for taking time for herself – She had spent years prioritizing her family’s needs over her own, and now, attempting to reclaim her identity felt selfish to her subconscious mind.
- Fear of failure – She worried that she wouldn’t be as strong or fast as she once was.
- Unworthiness – Returning to sports made her feel as though she was undeserving of self-care and personal achievement.
These emotions were not just mental barriers – they were creating real, physical tension in her body, preventing easy movement and healing.
A Whole New Feeling
Over several sessions, Sarah’s kinesiologist used a combination of techniques to help her release these blockages:
- Emotional Stress Release (ESR) – A simple yet powerful technique where gentle pressure is applied to specific points on the forehead, helping the brain process and release emotional stress.
- Affirmation Work – Sarah was guided to create positive affirmations to reprogram limiting beliefs, such as “Taking care of myself makes me a better mother” and “I am worthy of strength and well-being.”
- Balancing Energy Pathways – Through acupressure and muscle testing, her kinesiologist helped restore energy flow, reducing the tension that was contributing to her knee pain.
- Neuromuscular Reprogramming – Gentle movement exercises helped reset muscle activation patterns, ensuring her body could move more efficiently without compensatory strain.
- Guided Visualization – Sarah practiced visualizing herself running effortlessly to reinforce positive neural pathways in her brain.
The Transformation
After just a few sessions, something shifted. The knee pain? It started to fade. More importantly, Sarah felt different. Lighter. More confident. More herself.
She noticed that when she ran, the guilt wasn’t as loud. When it did creep in, she could recognize it for what it was and let it go. Instead of fearing failure, she focused on the joy of movement. She even started making space for herself in other areas of life — considering a return to work, setting boundaries, and asking for help when she needed it.
She felt lighter, more energized, and, most importantly, free from the emotional weight she hadn’t realized she was carrying. Her body was communicating with her, and she had learned how to listen.
Within three months, she was not only running pain-free but also feeling more confident in her ability to balance family, self-care, and her desire to return to work. Clearing emotional blockages had given her more than just physical relief — it had reignited her sense of self-worth.
Why Emotional Healing Supports Physical Injury Recovery
Sarah’s story is a powerful reminder that healing isn’t just about fixing what’s broken — it’s about uncovering what’s really going on. Addressing emotional blockages allows the nervous system to shift from a state of stress and tension to one of healing and regeneration.
Here’s why this approach is so powerful for injury recovery:
- Stress and tension affect healing – Chronic stress keeps the body in fight-or-flight mode, slowing down recovery.
- Emotional awareness improves movement – When we release emotional tension, our bodies move more freely and naturally.
- Preventing repeat injuries – Addressing the deeper emotional patterns reduces the chance of the pain returning.
- Better overall well-being – It’s not just about healing an injury; it’s about feeling more balanced and in control of life.
If you’re struggling with persistent pain or recurring injuries, consider exploring the emotional layers that may be contributing to your condition. Healing is not just about the body — it’s about the whole person. And sometimes, the key to moving forward isn’t just stretching and strengthening, but releasing and realigning from within.
Sarah’s knee pain wasn’t just about running. It was about her relationship with herself, her worth, and her ability to prioritize her own needs. Kinesiology didn’t just help her heal—it helped her shift into a new mindset where taking care of herself wasn’t selfish, but essential.
If you’re dealing with stubborn pain or injuries that don’t seem to go away, maybe it’s time to look beyond the physical. Your body is always speaking to you. The question is — are you ready to listen?
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About the Author
Evelyn Brey, B.Sc.Ost.Med., is a certified Kinesiologist, Brain Gym Instructor, Member of the Board Brain Gym Austria, and the founder of Smart Moves X. With over 20 years of experience and extensive qualifications across a range of Kinesiology and other natural health modalities, Evelyn is passionate about helping her clients overcome their emotional, mental, physical, nutritional and energetic challenges to achieve their goals.
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Please seek professional care if you believe you may have a medical condition.