This blog marks the second in a series on releasing tension in the body and will focus on the lower back. Tension in the lower back is commonly known to be caused by sitting for long periods of time and strain from heavy lifting. However, it can also be caused by psychological stress. As mentioned in the first of this blog series, tension in the neck and shoulders is also often caused by psychological stress; prolonged tightening of neck and shoulder muscles can lead to lower back pain. In the previous blog post, somatization is also described, which explains how certain areas in our bodies store certain emotions. Pain in the lower back can be associated with feelings of guilt, shame, and unworthiness. Examples of this include a low sense of self-worth or lack of self-acceptance. Furthermore, since the lower back is connected to the pelvic region and sexual organs, it is also possible that pain in the low back could also be a result of stored sexual trauma.