The Freeze Response & Body Memory
by Jonathan A. Tripodi, NCTMB
The “freeze” response is a protective function of the mind that immobilizes and stores energy in the body that is threatening or overwhelming. This includes the energy of thoughts, emotions and physical sensations. Once immobilized, the energy is stored as “body memory.” Below is a theoretical model of how body memory develops and it’s symptoms.
 |
Phase 1: The Freeze Response
The freeze response occurs due to a perceived feeling of helplessness or fear, ie. “I am too overwhelmed to do anything. Or, I am afraid to do anything.” The sympathetic nervous system’s “fight or flight” response is activated during this time and triggers you to release your energy by either confronting or running from the perceived threat. When unable or unwilling to act, we “freeze.” When we freeze, a neuromuscular holding pattern is created that tenses the muscles in our body that would have been active if we had acted instead of froze. This holding pattern remains active until we come out of the freeze response at which time these muscles will complete the action of this past event. |
Phase 2: Magnetic Warps
The electrical energy generated by an experience is localized by magnetic warps in the bodies energy field. Once localized, these electrical currents of information are stored in the body.
Phase 3: The Neuromuscular Response
When body memory is stored in the body, patterns of muscle tension are produced - a phenomenon referred to as neuromuscular holding patterns. Until you come out of the freeze response, neuromuscular holding patterns remain active. This is one reason why you experience chronic tension that persists despite treatment and therapy. For you to be free of chronic muscle tension, you must come out of the freeze response and
fully release the stored energy that has accumulated in your body.
Phase 4: The Fascial Response
When a person remains in the freeze response over time, muscles and the surrounding fascia shorten. Overtime, restrictive cross links of collagen develop between individual fibers of fascia that solidify the muscle and the fascia in their shortened position. In response, muscles, joints and organs often become compressed,
twisted, stressed and painful. Symptoms of long term fascial restrictions are fibromyalgia, arthritis, pain, headaches, TMJ, spasm, and mis-alignment of the spine and pelvis just to name a few.
 |
Phase 5: Cellular Health & Communication
Extracellular fluid (ECF) refers to the fluid “outside” of cells. The ECF is stained purple in the picture to the right with strands of fascia intermixed. ECF is the fluid medium for the transport of oxygen, nutrients, and toxins in and out of a cells. Cells communicate to each other via chemical messengers called neuropeptides that travel through ECF and attach to the outer cell membrane. Neuropeptides then transmit their chemical message by injecting it into the cell. |
When the freeze response remains active over time, the ECF becomes less “viscous” and can eventually solidify. This becomes evident in areas of the body that are not only tense and restricted but hard and tender to touch. Transportation of cellular nutrition, toxins and neurotransmitters in and out of cells is difficult through a solid-fluid and can significantly affect cellular health and communication.
Recent breakthroughs in biophysics and physiology by research pioneer Candace Pert & her colleagues have revealed that
neuropeptides are chemically communicating emotions, thoughts and beliefs to cells - profoundly influencing how we respond to and experience our world. Is it possible that when a person stores body memory, the receptor sites on the outer cell membrane changes so that neuropeptides cannot attach to them and trasmit the chemical messages of the experience being stored?
Summary of Body Memory Development
Phase 1: Freeze Response Causes Magnetic Warps
Phase 2: Magnetic Warps Cause Neuromuscular Holding Patterns
Phase 3: Neuromuscular Holding Patterns Cause Muscle Tension
Phase 4: Muscle Tension Overtime Causes Fascial Restrictions
Phase 5: Chronic Muscle Tension and Fascial Restrictions Cause Extracellular Fluid to Solidify
General Symptoms of Body Memory
Chronic Stress
Chronic Muscle Tension, Spasm, & Trigger Points
Skeletal Mal-alignment
Joint & Muscle Pain
Shallow Breathing
Organ Dysfunction
Most of us adapt to the freeze response and remain in it unconsciously for years. It becomes a habit. So every time you have a stressful experience you inevitably freeze and store it. Symptoms often become chronic, repetitive and bizarre when the energy of stored stress accumulates to a critical level and your body can no longer adapt to it. Once you come out of the freeze response, your body naturally releases the energy thats been stored. Once released, your body can function normally again. Resolution of body memory occurs when all the energy that has been stored is released and integrated. A transformational process that is both natural and necessary for physical health, vitality and personal growth |
