The body holds onto stress, tension, and trauma in surprising ways, and one of the most common areas where emotional trauma is stored is in the hips.
Many people experience tightness or discomfort in their hips without realizing that it’s not just physical strain—it can also be a result of stored emotional pain.
This raises a common question: How long does it take to release trauma from the hips?
The truth is, that releasing trauma from the hips is a deeply personal process that depends on several factors. However, understanding the process of hip trauma release can help set realistic expectations and guide you toward long-term healing.
In this article, we’ll explore how emotional trauma gets stored in the hips, what you can do to release it, and how long the healing process typically takes.
Why are hips the storage center for trauma?
The body’s response to stress or fear is to enter a fight, flight, or freeze mode.
During these moments, our muscles contract, and energy is stored in the body.
The hips, being one of the largest joints in the body, are a common place for this energy to be stored. This is especially true if the stress or trauma resulted in a freeze response, where the body was unable to physically flee or fight.
Here’s another thing: the hips are also a part of the body where we tend to hold emotional stress.
It may seem strange to associate emotional trauma with a part of the body like the hips, but in yoga and bodywork traditions, the hips are considered a “junk drawer” for unresolved emotions.
According to practitioners, the hips are connected to the sacral chakra, which governs emotions, relationships, and creativity.
When these areas of our lives are disrupted—by grief, loss, or trauma—emotional energy can become stored in the hip area.
It’s important to note that the actual physical sensation of trauma can vary greatly from person to person.
Some may feel a heavy sensation in their hips, while others might experience sharp pain or discomfort.
- Physical tension: This can present as tightness or stiffness in the hip area.
- Emotional distress: There can be feelings of sadness, anger, or anxiety associated with the physical tension.
- Sensation: The actual physical feeling can range from heaviness to sharp pain.
The emotional-physical connection: How trauma manifests in the hips
Have you ever noticed your hips feel tight or achy after an emotionally tough day?
That’s not just in your head.
Emotional and physical stress are intricately linked.
When trauma or chronic stress occurs, your body reacts by tightening the muscles, especially in the hips and lower back, as a protective measure.
This is why so many people who suffer from anxiety or unresolved trauma also report stiffness or pain in their hips.
The connection between the body and mind is undeniable, and trauma can manifest in the body long after the emotional event has passed.
Trauma doesn’t simply disappear—it needs to be processed and released.
For many people, this starts with the physical act of loosening the hips and bringing awareness to the area.
How long does it take to release trauma from the hips?
The time it takes to release trauma from the hips varies from person to person.
It can depend on factors such as:
- The severity and duration of the trauma: Deep-seated or long-held trauma may take longer to release than more recent experiences.
- Personal willingness and readiness: Healing emotional trauma requires not just physical work but emotional readiness. If you’re willing to confront the emotions tied to the trauma, the process may be quicker.
- Consistency of practice: Regular practice of hip-opening exercises, yoga, breathwork, or somatic therapy can help accelerate the release process. Sporadic efforts may slow it down.
- The methods used: Different techniques can produce varying results. Some people experience a quicker release through bodywork like myofascial release or trauma-sensitive yoga, while others may need more time using gentler practices like breathwork and meditation.
For instance, some people may start to feel relief after just a few yoga sessions or bodywork treatments, while others may require weeks, months, or even longer to fully release deep-seated trauma from the hips.
The key is to approach the process with patience and compassion for yourself.
4 effective methods for releasing trauma from the hips
Yoga, due to its focus on the mind-body connection, can be a powerful tool for releasing trauma stored in the body.
Specific poses can target the hip area, helping to release stored tension and promote healing. It’s important to approach this practice with patience and kindness towards oneself, as releasing trauma can be an emotionally laden process.
Here are a few methods that can be particularly helpful:
1. Yoga and hip-opening poses
It’s a common fact, backed by scientific studies, that yoga can help with emotional trauma.
But guess what?
It can also be one of the most effective ways to release stored trauma in the hips.
Hip-opening poses such as Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana), Lizard Pose (Utthan Pristhasana), and Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana) help stretch the muscles around the hips and encourage the release of tension.
Many people experience emotional breakthroughs in these poses, as the physical release often triggers a corresponding emotional release.
It’s not uncommon to feel an unexpected wave of emotion—whether it’s sadness, anger, or relief—after holding these poses for extended periods.
2. Breathwork and meditation
Breathwork is another powerful tool for releasing trauma from the hips.
In fact, as experts claim, diaphragmatic breathing can be an effective solution for chronic pain.
The thing is that focusing on deep, intentional breathing can help you calm the nervous system and signal to your body that it’s safe to let go of stored tension.
This can be especially helpful when combined with yoga or other bodywork practices.
Mindfulness meditation can also assist in processing emotions that arise during the release of hip trauma. By staying present with the sensations in your body, you can begin to integrate the emotional release and heal on a deeper level.
3. Somatic therapy
Somatic therapy is a form of body-centered therapy that focuses on how trauma is stored in the body.
It can help guide you through the process of releasing emotional trauma from specific areas, including the hips.
Somatic Experiencing is a well-known method that helps individuals gently release trauma by tuning into their body’s sensations and allowing the nervous system to reset.
A certified somatic therapist can guide you through movements and body awareness exercises that help discharge trauma and return the body to a state of calm.
4. Massage and myofascial release
Targeted massage therapy and myofascial release are also effective for releasing physical tension in the hips.
These techniques help break up tight fascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles) and encourage better blood flow, which aids in releasing stored trauma.
Massage can trigger emotional releases as well, as it works deeply into the muscle tissue. This, in turn, releases both physical and emotional tension.
What to expect during the release process
Releasing trauma from the hips is often an emotional experience.
Many people report feeling sadness, anger, or even unexplained tears during or after their practice.
This is completely normal and a sign that your body is beginning to let go of the stored trauma.
It’s important to create a safe and supportive environment for yourself as you go through this process. Allow yourself to experience the emotions without judgment and know that they are part of the healing process.
Surround yourself with people who support your journey, or consider working with a therapist or bodyworker who specializes in trauma release.
Signs your body is releasing trauma
Recognizing the signs that your body is releasing trauma is an integral part of the healing process. Each person’s experience will be unique, but there are some common signs to look out for.
Increased mobility in the hip area and reduction in physical discomfort are two direct indications that the stored trauma is beginning to release.
Emotionally, you may experience sudden surges of emotions or memories during or after your yoga practice. This is a normal part of the process as your body begins to let go of the stored trauma.
- Increased mobility: A noticeable increase in flexibility or decrease in stiffness in the hip area can be a sign of trauma release.
- Reduced physical pain: As the tension releases from your hips, you may notice a reduction in any persistent pain or discomfort.
- Emotional release: Emotional surges during or after yoga practice can be a sign that your body is releasing stored trauma.
It’s crucial not to rush this process. Healing takes time, and it’s normal for the process to involve periods of progress and regression.
Be patient with yourself and remember that each step forward, no matter how small, is a step towards healing.
Final thoughts: Finding freedom from trauma in your hips
Releasing trauma from the hips takes time, dedication, and emotional readiness.
There is no set timeline for how long it will take, as every individual’s experience is unique. Some may find relief in weeks, while for others, it could take months or longer.
What’s most important is that you remain patient with yourself throughout the process and understand that healing involves both physical and emotional work.
Through yoga, breathwork, somatic therapy, and other mindful practices, you can begin to unlock the tension stored in your hips and move toward long-term healing and emotional freedom.
