We know that the disease or the symptoms that accompany it are the visible (and often painful) expression of an unconscious malaise or of feelings, emotions, frustration, of a deep unexpressed feeling.

There are ailments that affect several parts of the body or that combine several illnesses. This is the case with arthritis. In "Le grand dictionnaire des malaises et des maladies" by Jacques Martel, arthritis is defined as inflammation of one or more joints. It is therefore characterized by inflammation. Also by muscular stiffness and especially by strong articular pains. It can affect different parts of the human locomotor system. Its most invasive form is rheumatoid arthritis, more often called chronic progressive polyarthritis.

THE SYMBOLISM OF ARTHRITIS

Symbolically, the main qualities and functions of a joint allow for freedom of movement, suppleness, flexibility and grace. In contrast, from an emotional and metaphysical point of view, Jacques Martel attributes arthritis to closure, criticism, grief, sadness or anger. The affected person becomes hardened. It becomes inflexible and shows a certain form of rigidity both in the body and in thoughts, attitudes and behaviors. As a result, deep emotions that should be expressed but are not, end up being physically manifested through this disease. When this type of pathology occurs, the questions to ask should be:

• Would I be too inflexible, too demanding with others or with myself?
• Would I be stubborn stubborn, intolerant, self-righteous, overly critical of others or of myself?
• Perhaps I am too narrow in my outlook or too prideful about myself, others or situations in my life?

The person often feels helpless in the face of his or her problem, and the physical pain hinders and restricts his or her freedom. This is how his life becomes a constant struggle. There is often an unspoken feeling of being unloved, of not being appreciated at its true value.

In the long run, this leads to many disappointments, new frustrations, a growing bitterness towards a limited life. This eventually manifests itself in a bad mood, a sourness towards life, a life in which the person often experiences a form of chronic insecurity. The person defines him/herself as a "victim" and feels powerless. She feels unfair about this situation and sometimes blames others for her own condition. It is at this point that we can question the benefits that this person is getting "thanks" to this sometimes extremely painful disease. Even though there is always an unconscious "benefit" in a chronic illness. To get out of this victim situation, it is often necessary to seek the help of a competent therapist who will help to dislodge the unconscious motives that led to the development of this illness.

SUPPRESSED EMOTIONS BEHIND THE DISEASE

In the case of the onset of arthritis, people who work in decoding of illnesses mention or observe the following reasons: the fear of softness, tenderness, love that inhabits the patient, but also the fear of these feelings emitted by a spouse or loved one. There may also have been a traumatic experience (unconscious and repressed) during childhood. Any strong and traumatic emotion experienced in silence can potentially contribute to the development of a subsequent health problem.

The location of the arthritic joint can also provide information on the emotional and unconscious background that participates in the installation of this pathology. Arthritis can affect the whole body, but it can also be quite localized in the hands (fingers), wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, hips, ankles or spine.

Each joint or each part of the body is itself connoted with a certain symbolism to be decoded knowing that in a general way, the joints ensure the joint or the junction of two or more bones. They normally allow a movement adapted to the anatomy of the human body, but also to the numerous situations that life presents us. In this type of condition, the person may feel locked out of one or more aspects of his or her life due to joint stiffness and pain. It thus experiences difficulties of adaptability, flexibility, mobility or fluidity.

In short, she became unable to be spontaneous, unable to surrender and trust. This is how she finds herself unable to move and stuck in a straitjacket locked by beliefs or by buried emotions.