08/14/2026
WHERE EMOTIONS GET STORED
The Emotion–Organ Connection
In Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture theory, emotions and organ systems are closely connected. In our practice, we frequently see these same relationships show up during muscle testing and emotional work with our patients.
When we talk about an emotion being “stored,” we aren’t necessarily saying the emotion is physically sitting inside an organ. Rather, we are describing a pattern in which the body continues to respond to an emotional stress—and that stress may correspond with particular organs, muscles, meridians, or areas of the body.
Here are some of the emotion–organ relationships we commonly work with:
🧠 Head & Brain
Overthinking • Mental stress • Worry • Feeling overwhelmed
😬 Jaw & Neck
Anger • Frustration • Unspoken words • Difficulty expressing yourself
🫁 Lungs
Grief • Sadness • Difficulty letting go
❤️ Heart
Joy • Heartbreak • Emotional hurt • Connection
🌿 Liver & Gallbladder
Anger • Frustration • Resentment • Irritability
🌿 Spleen & Stomach
Worry • Overthinking • Rumination
🌿 Kidneys & Bladder
Fear • Insecurity • Feeling unsupported
☀️ Solar Plexus / Upper Abdomen
Stress • Worry • Feeling powerless or out of control
Lower Abdomen & Pelvis
Fear • Vulnerability • Emotional stress surrounding safety and security
🦶 Legs & Feet
Feeling stuck • Difficulty moving forward • Lack of support or grounding
WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
At The Center for Natural Health, we don’t look at emotional health and physical health as completely separate.
Using muscle testing, acupuncture principles, and other techniques, we can evaluate patterns of stress and determine whether an emotional component may be contributing to what the body is experiencing.
We’ve seen again and again in our practice that when the appropriate emotional stress is identified, the body can respond differently.
Our goal isn’t to eliminate normal emotions. Anger, fear, grief, sadness, and worry are all normal parts of being human.
The goal is to identify when the body may still be reacting to an emotional stress long after the original experience has passed—and help support a healthier, more balanced response.
Sometimes the symptom tells us where to look.
Muscle testing can help us ask the body a few more questions. 💚
