Do you experience chronic pain or live with an ongoing health issue? If so, it may be worth considering whether your body is asking for attention in ways that go beyond the physical. Unresolved mental and emotional patterns can build over time and sometimes show up as tension, discomfort, sleep disturbances, or other imbalances.
Review the chart below for possible correlations. Which ones resonate with you? These insights are not intended to diagnose, treat, or assign blame or shame. Instead, they are offered as a tool for reflection—expanding your awareness and giving you more options to explore, especially when progress feels stymied or incomplete.
When mental and emotional patterns are acknowledged and supported alongside physical care, some people experience meaningful improvements in their overall well-being. Taking a whole-body approach—rather than focusing solely on symptoms—can open the door to more sustainable change.
Be sure to talk with your trusted healthcare provider about any symptoms you are experiencing and whether integrating emotional or mental health support could complement your current treatment plan. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
If you’re curious to explore further, ask your provider for additional resources or consider the practitioners listed below. As always, check credentials, seek references, and use your best judgment when choosing who to work with.
| Resource | Definition |
| Osteopath | A licensed physician (DO) trained in conventional medicine with additional focus on the musculoskeletal system, manual manipulation, and whole-body alignment to support healing. |
| Naturopath | A practitioner trained in natural and holistic therapies (nutrition, herbal medicine, lifestyle changes) focused on supporting the body’s self-healing processes; credentials and licensing vary by state. |
| Psychologist | A doctoral-level professional (PhD or PsyD) trained in mental health assessment, diagnosis, and therapy; does not prescribe medication in most states. |
| Psychiatrist | A medical doctor (MD) specializing in mental health who can diagnose conditions, provide therapy, and prescribe medications. |
| Counselor | A licensed mental health professional (e.g., LPC, LMHC) trained in talk therapy to support emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges. |
| Yoga Therapist | A certified practitioner who uses yoga practices (movement, breathwork, meditation) therapeutically to support physical, mental, and emotional health. |
| Energy Practitioner | A practitioner working with the body’s energetic systems (e.g., Reiki, healing touch) to promote balance, relaxation, and well-being; training and certification vary. |
| Massage Therapist | A licensed professional trained in therapeutic bodywork techniques to relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, and support physical recovery and relaxation. |
| Functional Medicine Doctor | A licensed medical doctor (MD or DO) who uses a systems-based approach to identify root causes of illness, often incorporating advanced testing, nutrition, and lifestyle interventions. |
The chart is created from: You Can Heal Your Life, Louise Hay. Read the book to see the full list of symptoms and her correlations.
| Symptoms | Possible Contributors |
| Anxiety | Not trusting the flow and the process of life. |
| Arthritis | Feeling unloved. Criticism, resentment. – Rheumatoid Arthritis: Feeling victimized. Lack of love. Chronic bitterness. Resentment. Deep criticism of authority. Feeling very put upon. |
| Back Issues | Represents the support of life. Back Problems: – Rounded shoulders: Carrying the burdens of life. Helpless and hopeless. – Lower Back Pain: Fear of money or lack of financial support. – Mid-Back Pain: Guilt. Stuck in all that stuff back there. “Get off my back!” – Upper Back Pain: Lack of emotional support. Feeling unloved. Holding back love. – Back Curvature: The inability to flow with the support of life. Fear and trying to hold on to old ideas. Not trusting life. Lack of integrity. No courage of convictions. |
| Blood Pressure | – High: Longstanding emotional problem not solved. – Low: Lack of love as a child. Defeatism. |
| Body Odor | Fear. Dislike of the self. Fear of others. |
| Depression | Anger you feel you do not have a right to have. Hopelessness. |
| Diabetes | Longing for what might have been. A great need to control. Deep sorrow. No sweetness left. |
| Fatigue | Resistance, boredom. Lack of love for what one does. |
| Headaches | Invalidating the self. Self-criticism. Fear. |
| Heart | Represents the center of love and security. – Heart Attack: Squeezing all the joy out of the heart in favor of money or position. Feeling alone and scared. “I’m not good enough. I don’t do enough. I’ll never make it.” – Heart Problems: Longstanding emotional problems. Lack of joy. Hardening of the heart. Belief in strain and stress. |
| Heartburn | Fear. Fear. Fear. Clutching Fear. |
| Insomnia | Fear. Not trusting the process of life. Guilt. |
| Joint Pain (Arthritic context) | Feeling unloved. Criticism, resentment. – Rheumatoid Arthritis: Feeling victimized. Lack of love. Chronic bitterness. Resentment. Deep criticism of authority. Feeling very put upon. |
| Kidney Problems | Criticism, disappointment, failure. Shame. Reacting like a child. |
| Liver | Seat of anger and primitive emotions. Chronic complaining. Justifying fault-finding to deceive yourself. Feeling bad. |
| Menopause Problems | Fear of no longer being wanted. Fear of aging. Self-rejection. Not feeling good enough. |
| Neck | Represents flexibility. The ability to see what’s back there. Refusing to see other sides of a question. Stubbornness, inflexibility. Unbending stubbornness. |
| Obesity / Weight (Fat or Weight issues) | Oversensitivity. Often represents fear and shows a need for protection. Fear may be a cover for hidden anger and a resistance to forgive. Running away from feelings. Insecurity, self-rejection and seeking fulfillment. – Arms: Anger at being denied love. – Belly: Anger at being denied nourishment. – Hips: Lumps of stubborn anger at the parents. – Thighs: Packed childhood anger. Often rage at the father. |
| Stomach | Holds nourishment. Digests ideas. Dread. Fear of the new. Inability to assimilate the new. |
| Thyroid Gland | Humiliation. I never get to do what I want to do. When is it going to be my turn. – Hyperthyroid: Rage at being left out. |
Debbey Woodruff – Your WellBEing Guide – is a certified yoga teacher and mindfulness practitioner. Through yoga therapy, mindful movement, breathwork, and guided self-reflection, Debbey helps you reconnect with your body, calm your mind, and nurture lasting emotional well-being. Experience a compassionate, personalized path to healing and renewal and find your W.O.W. – Whole-body Optimized WellBEing ©. Debbey is the owner of Breakthrough! WellBEing Phone: 704-881-4912 and email: info@breakthroughwellbeing.com
Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author and do not necessarily reflect those of LKNConnect or its affiliates.
