Understanding The Body
We experience life through the physical reality of our bodies. Our pleasures and pains and the
ups and downs of daily life all affect the body in ways that people never fully comprehend. Stress
is something that everyone deals with, it is imperative that we recognize our stress levels so we
may come to terms with them. Let's take a look at the mechanics of stress and the role
therapeutic massage can play in stress management.
Understanding The Stress Response
Stress is an unconscious and automatic reaction to anything we believe may be threatening to
us. In the stress response, the body is primed for fight or flight by messages carried by the
sympathetic branch of the nervous system. Whether we are confronted by a mugger in the street
or find ourselves in a long line at the bank or a short lunch hour, the effects are the same,
impacting all levels - physical, mental and emotional.
We are at full readiness as our body tenses and our breathing becomes shallow and more
rapid. There is an increase in heart rate, blood pressure and adrenaline production, with a
corresponding decrease in blood flow to the extremities, digestive function, and immune system
activity.
Ideally, this defensive reaction will subside once the situation has resolved, allowing our body to
return to its normal state. We often help this process with some rest, the right exercise or
massage therapy.
However, a person who is frequently under stressful influences will tend to remain locked into a
pattern of stress response, unable to relax or let go. This type of pattern is damaging to the body.
As it escalates, it ultimately leads to discomfort or pain and is a contributing factor in most
disease processes.
The longer we are in pain, the more likely it is that we will try to block it out. It is at this point that
alcohol and drugs often enter the picture. Unfortunately, as one uses substances which deaden
the nervous system to reduce the perception of the pain, awareness of oneself and others are
reduced in the process.
In Our Everyday Experience
Like driving a car with one foot on the gas and the other on the brake, we experience stress
whenever we initiate an action and hold it back at the same time. Our ever-obedient muscles try
to obey both messages and work against each other.
In this same way, we have our own unique muscular responses to the expression of emotions
such as anger, sadness, fear and exhilaration. We use our muscles to block, control and restrain
these strong feeling and our reaction to them. Although we may be completely unaware of the
amount of tension we store within, it is putting extra wear and tear on both mind and body over
time.
Maintaining these patterns of chronic tension is like leaving the lights on all night - it takes
energy; but once it's a habit, we no longer recognize it as such. What we do notice are the aches,
pains, fatigue, headaches, digestive problems, PMS, or a host of other stress-related symptoms.
These symptoms are important signals to be heeded, rather than ignored or bypassed.
Accumulated stress and tension will always diminish the amount of energy and vitality we have to
enjoy life, be creative and productive and strive for better things.
The Relaxation Response
The antidote to stress is known as the Relaxation Response, which is triggered by the
parasympathetic branch of the nervous system. This action sends messages to the body to
relax, to slow down and to take a deep breath - saying in effect, it's time for rest and healing.
There are a number of ways to promote this response, such as exercise, meditation, listening to
calming music, guided visualization, biofeedback, and of course, therapeutic massage.
Massage takes place in a comfortable and safe environment, which is generally away from the
source of most stress triggers. As massage stimulates the relaxation response, muscular
tension is released, circulation is increased and sensory receptors are activated. Areas that have
been "cut off" by accumulated stress can begin to feel once again. Massage teaches us to tune
in to body signals and soothes us at the same time.
All of this results in greater body awareness which can help you to carefully monitor your own
body's responses and needs. Allowing you to time to release tension before it becomes chronic
and damaging. Living in a more relaxed and balanced body will enable you to better handle the
stresses in your life, and nothing can take you back to that state of well-being more quickly than a
massage.
We experience life through the physical reality of our bodies. Our pleasures and pains and the
ups and downs of daily life all affect the body in ways that people never fully comprehend. Stress
is something that everyone deals with, it is imperative that we recognize our stress levels so we
may come to terms with them. Let's take a look at the mechanics of stress and the role
therapeutic massage can play in stress management.
Understanding The Stress Response
Stress is an unconscious and automatic reaction to anything we believe may be threatening to
us. In the stress response, the body is primed for fight or flight by messages carried by the
sympathetic branch of the nervous system. Whether we are confronted by a mugger in the street
or find ourselves in a long line at the bank or a short lunch hour, the effects are the same,
impacting all levels - physical, mental and emotional.
We are at full readiness as our body tenses and our breathing becomes shallow and more
rapid. There is an increase in heart rate, blood pressure and adrenaline production, with a
corresponding decrease in blood flow to the extremities, digestive function, and immune system
activity.
Ideally, this defensive reaction will subside once the situation has resolved, allowing our body to
return to its normal state. We often help this process with some rest, the right exercise or
massage therapy.
However, a person who is frequently under stressful influences will tend to remain locked into a
pattern of stress response, unable to relax or let go. This type of pattern is damaging to the body.
As it escalates, it ultimately leads to discomfort or pain and is a contributing factor in most
disease processes.
The longer we are in pain, the more likely it is that we will try to block it out. It is at this point that
alcohol and drugs often enter the picture. Unfortunately, as one uses substances which deaden
the nervous system to reduce the perception of the pain, awareness of oneself and others are
reduced in the process.
In Our Everyday Experience
Like driving a car with one foot on the gas and the other on the brake, we experience stress
whenever we initiate an action and hold it back at the same time. Our ever-obedient muscles try
to obey both messages and work against each other.
In this same way, we have our own unique muscular responses to the expression of emotions
such as anger, sadness, fear and exhilaration. We use our muscles to block, control and restrain
these strong feeling and our reaction to them. Although we may be completely unaware of the
amount of tension we store within, it is putting extra wear and tear on both mind and body over
time.
Maintaining these patterns of chronic tension is like leaving the lights on all night - it takes
energy; but once it's a habit, we no longer recognize it as such. What we do notice are the aches,
pains, fatigue, headaches, digestive problems, PMS, or a host of other stress-related symptoms.
These symptoms are important signals to be heeded, rather than ignored or bypassed.
Accumulated stress and tension will always diminish the amount of energy and vitality we have to
enjoy life, be creative and productive and strive for better things.
The Relaxation Response
The antidote to stress is known as the Relaxation Response, which is triggered by the
parasympathetic branch of the nervous system. This action sends messages to the body to
relax, to slow down and to take a deep breath - saying in effect, it's time for rest and healing.
There are a number of ways to promote this response, such as exercise, meditation, listening to
calming music, guided visualization, biofeedback, and of course, therapeutic massage.
Massage takes place in a comfortable and safe environment, which is generally away from the
source of most stress triggers. As massage stimulates the relaxation response, muscular
tension is released, circulation is increased and sensory receptors are activated. Areas that have
been "cut off" by accumulated stress can begin to feel once again. Massage teaches us to tune
in to body signals and soothes us at the same time.
All of this results in greater body awareness which can help you to carefully monitor your own
body's responses and needs. Allowing you to time to release tension before it becomes chronic
and damaging. Living in a more relaxed and balanced body will enable you to better handle the
stresses in your life, and nothing can take you back to that state of well-being more quickly than a
massage.
Stress and the Body
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