When the body speaks, it tells the story of our emotions. Here's how to understand them… and soothe them gently. In our fast-paced lives, the body often speaks before the mind understands. A stiff neck in the morning, a pulling lower back after a long day, a constricted ribcage as if breathing is restricted…
These signals are not simply “pains”. They are physiological messages , rooted in the mechanics of the body, but also in the emotional realm.
It is in this space — where the body meets the mind — that physiotherapy offers a rich and profoundly human perspective.
The body retains memory: understanding muscle chains
During my physiotherapy training, I learned that the body functions in chains .
No voltage is isolated:
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A tense shoulder can affect the neck.
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A tense diaphragm can alter posture.
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Weakened gluteal muscles can put extra strain on the lower back.
Muscle chains are like lines of balance.
When one of them is disrupted, the body compensates.
And these compensations, accumulated over time, become persistent tensions.
What I have observed in practice:
Emotions play a role.
Stress → shallower breathing → tension in the neck and trapezius muscles
Anxiety → tight diaphragm → strained lower back
Mental workload → raised shoulders → tense back
The body is a story in motion.
The diaphragm: the great emotional witness
In our classes, we were repeatedly told that the diaphragm is an essential muscle , both mechanically and emotionally.
It is a respiratory muscle, but also a “stress reflector” muscle.
When it is tense, it can lead to:
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difficulty breathing deeply
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thoracic pressure
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fatigue,
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lower back tension,
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feeling of “never being totally relaxed”.
When he relaxes, the whole body follows.
That's why in physiotherapy, we place enormous importance on:
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breathing exercises,
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to lateral stretches,
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to gentle mobilizations of the thorax,
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to the release of the psoas (another muscle very sensitive to emotions).
A relaxed diaphragm literally changes the internal atmosphere.
The body-emotion link: what science confirms
Studies in neuroscience show that:
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The autonomic nervous system influences muscle tone.
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Chronic stress maintains a state of underlying tension.
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The limbic brain (seat of emotions) is in constant dialogue with the body.
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Breathing and smells have direct access to the emotional centers.
It's not "all in the head".
It's not "imaginary" either.
It is a real, observable, documented physiology.
And that explains why physical tension can have an emotional dimension, and why a simple gesture can bring profound relief.
How to soothe the body: techniques I learned in physiotherapy
Here are some techniques from my experience, accessible to everyone in a non-therapeutic setting:
Gentle and slow stretches
They target the muscles that are often used: trapezius, pectorals, glutes, hamstrings.
Simple joint mobility
Shoulder circles, ankle mobility, chest opening.
Diaphragmatic breathing
It relaxes, rebalances the nervous system, and relieves the thoracolumbar area.
Targeted self-massage
Trapezius muscles, nape of the neck, soles of the feet, hands — areas rich in nerve receptors.
Regular micro-breaks
30 seconds to breathe + relax the jaw → immediate effect.
Each of these gestures creates a micro-movement in the nervous system, a signal of calm, an inner permission to slow down.
How does aromatherapy fit into this understanding of the body?
Aromatherapy is not a medical treatment — but it works on a level that overlaps with physiotherapy:
the nervous system and inner feelings.
The smells:
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act quickly on the emotional brain.
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influence the state of tension,
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can support a ritual of appeasement,
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amplifies the feeling of being present with oneself.
A gentle fragrance during a breathing exercise, a mist before a break, a soothing synergy during a moment of relaxation…
These are simple gestures, but they strengthen the mind-body connection .
Brume & Bloom: a natural continuation of my journey
Brume & Bloom was born from these learnings.
From this deep conviction:
Emotional well-being begins with being present in the body.
That's why I created sensory rituals that:
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support relaxation
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invite deep breathing
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accompany moments of rest,
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They envelop everyday life in gentleness.
Each fragrance tells a story.
Each texture is designed to complement a simple gesture.
Each ritual is an invitation to refocus.
Because taking care of yourself is first and foremost about giving yourself a space where your body can finally breathe.
The body speaks, and when we listen to it… everything changes
Our tensions are messengers.
Our emotions are internal movements.
Our actions, possible responses.
When the body is listened to, it calms down.
When the mind slows down, it unfolds.
And between the two, there is a gentle space — that of care, of breathing, of feeling.
This is where Brume & Bloom comes to life.
And that's where I invite you to come back, one step at a time.