Understanding Body Pain – Episode 1: Hands, Wrists, Arms & Shoulders
Pain is one of the body’s most intricate communication systems. It alerts us when something is out of balance, misaligned, or overworked. Yet pain is rarely the true source of a problem—more often, it is the loudest voice in a much larger conversation happening between muscles, meridians, fascia, reflexes, and the nervous system. In our first episode of the Understanding Body Pain trilogy, we explored this complexity through the lens of the hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders—areas that often carry tension from not only physical strain but also emotional load and energetic imbalance.
At the heart of this conversation lies the science behind pain and the remarkable system of Touch for Health, created by Dr. John Thie and rooted in the groundbreaking work of Dr. George Goodheart. These tools offer a way to understand pain not as an isolated event, but as a reflection of the body’s deeper patterns of communication.
Pain Is Not the Problem — It’s the Messenger
Modern medicine often teaches us to chase the symptom:
a wrist brace for wrist pain, a shoulder stretch for shoulder tension, or a topical cream for elbow discomfort.
But pain is rarely localized. A weak anterior deltoid can cause wrist strain. Tight forearm flexors can come from misalignment in the upper thoracic spine. Shoulder pain can originate from stress patterns in the jaw. Even finger stiffness can link back to the small intestine meridian.
Touch for Health works because it respects the body’s interconnected nature. It recognizes that:
- Muscles communicate through meridians
- Meridians communicate through organ systems
- Organ systems influence posture, mood, and function
- Structural misalignment affects emotional and energetic flow
This is why in Episode 1 we shared examples of how upper body pain often points to deeper imbalances in the body’s bioenergetic network. Once you understand these relationships, you can finally stop fighting pain—and start listening to what it’s trying to tell you.
The Science Behind Touch for Health
While many people assume that energy-based systems are “woo-woo,” the science behind Touch for Health is grounded in:
1. Applied Kinesiology & Neurophysiology
Dr. George Goodheart discovered predictable relationships between muscles and organ systems. For example:
- The deltoid corresponds with the lung meridian
- The supraspinatus aligns with the central meridian
These links reflect neurophysiological pathways—reflex arcs—that influence strength, tone, and function.
2. Proprioception & Biofeedback
Muscle monitoring allows us to access the body’s feedback loop. When a muscle responds weakly, it indicates an imbalance in the energetic or neurological pattern behind it—not simply a lack of strength. This makes muscle monitoring a precise tool for identifying the priority behind pain patterns.
3. Fascia & Biotensegrity
Pain often travels along fascial lines. The upper body, for example, contains spiraling patterns that cross from shoulder to hip, wrist to neck, and elbow to ribcage. Touch for Health techniques—like neurolymphatic reflexes and neurovascular points—help restore hydration, flow, and mobility through these fascial chains.
4. Chinese Medicine & the Five Elements
Touch for Health bridges Western anatomy with Eastern philosophy. Pain is understood not only as mechanical strain but as energetic stagnation. For example:
- Wrist and elbow pain often relate to Metal (lungs, large intestine)
- Shoulder tension may reflect Wood (liver, gallbladder)
- Grip strength relates to Water (kidneys, bladder)
This gives practitioners and individuals a holistic map of pain—physical, emotional, and energetic.
Tools That Transform Pain
In our first episode on hands and arms, we demonstrated several Touch for Health concepts that anyone can explore:
1. Muscle Monitoring
Helps identify the priority imbalance rather than guessing at symptoms.
2. Emotional Stress Release Points
Releases mental tension that contributes to chronic pain patterns.
3. Neurolymphatic Reflex Points
Helps reduce inflammation and restore flow through muscle and organ systems.
4. Meridian Tracing
Clears stagnant energy and supports the body’s natural healing pathways.
5. Posture Awareness
Simple alignment shifts in the shoulders, wrists, and neck can dramatically change pain levels.
Each technique empowers the individual, restoring the understanding that healing doesn’t come from fighting the body—but partnering with it.
A New Way to Experience Pain & Healing
The goal of Touch for Health and bioenergetic wellness is not just relief—it is awareness.
When you know how to interpret the body’s signals, pain becomes a guide rather than a barrier.
Our trilogy will continue to explore:
- Episode 2: Feet, Ankles, Knees & Hips
- Episode 3: Back & Neck
Each episode builds on the science and self-care practices introduced in Episode 1, offering practical tools and a deeper understanding of how pain reveals our path to healing.
You can reach out to Denise Cambiotti at www.muscletuners.ca to learn more about her special programs and the power of her techniques.
You can find Kate Montgomery at katemontgomery@me.com and you can find her two exceptional books on amazon: Sports Touch and End your Carpal Tunnel Pain without Surgery.
Are you looking for a Touch for Health class? Michelle will be offering a Level 1 starting in January. You can email your intent to info@greenwellcenter.com. You can find more information in the shop as well as the description about Touch for Health.
Michelle also offers in person and online movement classes that are embedded with Touch for Health information, this is a great way to understand the power of the information in real time. You can find these courses here.
Looking for a deeper dive? Michelle will be offering a Tai Chi Retreat in West Kelowna, BC in March with Wine Country Tai Chi Society. You can learn more in a few weeks when the full details are released. This is a chance to work in person and gain a deeper understanding of how the concepts reveal themselves through movement patterns.
New knowledge and experience is just one class away. Enjoy the podcast!