This paper demonstrates by a case report the nonverbal communicative power of muscle action. Action became a regressive substitute for verbalization between the patient and her child and her analyst. As a nonverbal communication, action can convey sadomasochistic and aggressive impulses which are difficult to decipher in an analysis. Muscle action appearing as a substitute for words is a regression and displacement from oral regression and anal sadism, and serves as a defense against the manifestation of these impulses. Fusions of sadism and aggression

can be communicated to an infant by action of his mother before language can serve this purpose.