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Page 5. Stress, Pain Relief and Relaxation |
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STRESS, PAIN RELIEF AND RELAXATION A great many illnesses are a result of the stresses and strains of daily life. Touch therapies such as Reflexology and Massage have been used for centuries to help soothe tension and relax the mind and body.
Massage or stroking triggers the release of endorphins, the body's own painkillers which also induce a feeling of comfort and well-being.
When people feel pleasure they focus on the present moment rather than staying involved with their worries and preoccupations.
TOUCH THERAPIES AND PAIN RELIEF
The skin is the body's largest sensory organ. Thousands of specialied receptors in the skin react to external stimuli by sending messages to the brain, this helps the brain to focus on the present moment rather than staying involved with worries. The pressure exerted on these numerous nerve endings can often cause the brain to have too many sensations to respond to which can help to interrupt the stress and pain cycle enabling the person receiving the treatment to relax.
I have had some incredible experiences using Reflexology whereby the person could be in extreme pain when they arrive for their treatment but find that it has totally disappeared by the end of the session.
I have often used Reflexology on my friends and family to ease the pain of headaches, backaches, tummy aches etc.
HOWEVER, this kind of pain relief does not happen in all cases and often only occurs when the pain is acute, chronic pain is much more difficult to treat although most people do get some benefit from the treatment due to the deep relaxation that is experienced.
N.B. Pain is always an indication that something is wrong and undiagnosed pain should always be investigated by a Medical Professional.
STRESS
A stressor is the body's 'fight or flight response' to an emergency. It was needed in primitive times for survival against danger and was designed for short bursts of activity.
The strain of being in a constant state of alert, without the release that physical activity brings, leads to problems such as back and neck pain, headaches, raised blood pressure, indigestion, sweating, palpitations, irritability, insomnia, anxiety and depression.
The word stress comes from the Latin word 'stringere', which means 'to draw tight'. Constant stress causes the muscles to become tight resulting in pain. Please refer to page 3 for more information under the heading 'Reason why muscles become tight'.
During short burst of stress, the number and activity of the white blood cells are increased in order to fight off invading bacteria, but in the long term the activity of these cells actually decreases leaving the body's defense system vulnerable to infection. This is why continued stress can be so dangerous to our health. Eventually the body will become exhausted.
Chemical substances such as alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, additives, drugs and environmental toxins also cause stress on the body's systems which in turn deplete energy levels.
STRESS AND DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS
When stress hormones flood the system, the blood vessels that supply organs involved with exercise or fighting off danger dilate, allowing a greater blood flow through their tissues. The blood vessels that supply organs which are not essential to the 'fight or flight' response such as the kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract actually constrict to enable the blood to go to where it is most needed. The processes that are not essential for meeting the stressful situation are inhibited such as muscular movements of the gastrointestinal tract. Digestive secretions slow down and may even stop for a while, interrupting the normal activities of digestion and excretion. The body needs to expel fecal matter regularly as this waste product provides a home for many unfriendly bacteria which will multiply causing poor colon health and inflammation of its lining which could lead to digestive problems such as IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME.
When the body relaxes, the opposite to the 'fight or flight' response occurs, this is known as 'REST AND DIGEST'. During this period the bodily functions that conserve and restore energy during times of rest and recovery are more active. The blood is diverted back to the digestive system and impulses are sent to the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract allowing energy-supplying food to be digested and absorbed. This is one of the reasons why people often feel energised the day after a period of deep relaxation and why stress relief plays an important part in the treatment of irritable bowel and other digestive problems.
RELAXATION
Relaxation has the opposite effect to that of stress on the body.
It will decrease the amount of adrenaline, the stress hormone, which in turn will lower blood pressure and therefore relieve pressure on the cardiovascular system.
It helps to increase the activity of white blood cells which will make the body less susceptible to illness.
Due to the body not being in a state of alert the blood supply will be diverted back to the digestive organs which will improve digestion and can ease the problem of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
The muscles will relax and become less painful.
Breathing will become slower and deeper, therefore improving lung function and metabolic rate.
It helps to bring emotional calm which in turn brings increased alertness and energy.
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