Stress

One of the biggest causes of Pain in the body is Stress.
No stranger to stress myself, reducing stress, and treating the symptoms can be very difficult, however I have learned that there are many different things we can do to try to eliminate as much stress from our lives as possible.

Stress Facts:

- Forty-three percent of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress.
- 75 to 90 percent of all physician office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints.
– Stress is linked to the six leading causes of death–heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide.
So what exactly is stress?
Stress is the body’s reaction to a change that requires a physical, mental or emotional adjustment or response.

There are many many “Stressors” in our life, not only emotional or mental, but we also place our body under physical stress at times as well, and none of this is beneficial to our health.

Signs of Emotional Stress:

Signs of stress can include poor judgment, a general negative outlook, excessive worrying, moodiness, irritability, agitation, inability to relax, feeling lonely, isolated or depressed, aches and pains, diarrhea or constipation, nausea, dizziness, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, eating too much or not enough, sleeping too much or not enough, social withdrawal, procrastination or neglect of responsibilities, increased alcohol, nicotine or drug consumption, and nervous habits such as pacing about or nail-biting.

Massage Therapy and Stress:
Massage Therapy can help reduce the symptoms of Stress, as well as often assist in the release of emotions related with emotional stress. It boosts the body’s immune system, often compromised when suffering from Stress for long periods of time.
Your muscles can often suffer from a build up of tension, which decreases circulation and nutrient delivery to tissues.

By manipulating soft tissue during massage we can release muscular tension, increases removal of metabolic waste and promotes nutrient delivery to he tissue as it heals. Taut bands and Trigger points in your muscles can inhibit your ability to perform regular, daily tasks.
As other parts of your body try to compensate for the aches and pains of a tight muscle, they also start to become tight and uncomfortable. Before long, an injury that began in your neck can trace to your shoulder, down your arm and into your wrist. The reaction chain can take innumerable forms, but none of them are pleasant.
Massage has also been found to reduce the amount of Cortisol (Stress inducing hormone) which can often lead to improved Psychological well being.

Massage is not the only factor when considering treatment for stress.
You should also consider exercise regime as well as a healthy diet, as stress can also be an effect of nutritional deficiency, or lack of physical activity.

Most importantly, if you feel overwhelmed by stress, please don’t keep it to yourself, talk to someone. My gran always said that a problem shared, is a problem halved, and often the release from just sharing with someone can be therapy in itself.

Additional Resources:
http://www.stress.org.uk/

http://www.amtamassage.org/news/MTIndustryFactSheet.html

http://www.holisticonline.com/massage/mas_workplace.htm

http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/03/10/stress-relieved-through-massage-simple-relaxation/12010.html