Intuitive Bodywork

When Stress Hits!

by Alan Jordan, LMT, NCTMB

The kids are sick. The car won't start. Work is not going well. Housework is getting further behind. The bills are due and I haven't had a good night's sleep in weeks...

Stressed? Anxious? Exhausted? Has your neck turned to stone and your shoulders feel permanently attached to your ears?

Have you wondered, “How will I ever get out of this mess?” After all, kids do get sick, cars break down and work can be stressful at times.

Of course, stress is not always a bad thing. If there is no stress or excitement, in life, we may become bored and may not live up to our potential. However, if we find ourselves in extreme stress, or experience stress for an extended time, it can negatively affect our physical and emotional health. When stress affects our health, we may find ourselves in a vicious cycle where matters only become worse.

According to the Mayo Clinic, stress can be responsible for headaches, frequent insomnia or decreased productivity at work. Long-term stress can can result in health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes. It has been estimated that 75 - 90% of all doctor’s visits are for symptoms that are at least partially stress-related!

No matter what our situation, sudden or accumulated stress will be present at various times in our lives. Three out of four people say they experience excess stress at least twice a month. Stress and trauma can accumulate in become “stuck” in our bodies. In his 1997 book “Waking the Tiger”, author Peter Levine, Phd., noted that humans tend to hold stress in the body for years – perhaps even for a lifetime.

Our tendency is to believe that in order to feel better, we must first reduce the amount of stress in our lives. While seeking ways to minimize stress is recommended, the ability to reduce stress at a given time may not be possible. However, we can almost always take action to manage our body's reaction to excess stress.

Massage Therapy is one stress management tool that offers powerful results. By physically releasing tension in the muscles and other soft tissues, we can also rid our bodies of accumulated stress and stored traumas. After receiving massage, we feel better, have more energy and find our world to be friendlier place. As a result, we are able to think more clearly, feel less anxious, begin to implement positive lifestyle changes and restore balance in our daily lives.

Exercise, diet, rest and humor are among other important tools for coping with stress but the use of massage therapy for relief from stress is on the rise. The 2011 Industry Fact Sheet, a comprehensive survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) reports, “In July 2010, 40 percent of adult Americans said they had at least one massage in the last five years to reduce stress or relax—up from 22 percent reported in 2007.”

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About Managing Stress
A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
and the National Institutes of Health.

Take A Break From Stress Now! Enjoy

More About Managing Stress

Excessive Stress

is America's #1 Health Problem!

According to the American Institute of Stress (AIS)

It's a fact... We all encounter at least some stress every day. Thankfully, not all stress is bad. Some types of stress can even be great fun. Think of the stress that comes with competing in our favorite sport, the stress we feel on our wedding day, or the stress of completing a special project at deadline. In each of these events, the stress is exhilarating!

Other types of stress are not so pleasant. In fact, long term (or chronic) stress can be very serious, affecting us both physically and emotionally. It has been estimated that as many as 90% of doctor’s visits are for symptoms that are at least partially stress-related! According to an article in American Psychologist, Magazine Issue 45(10):1146-1153 , "The total health and productivity cost of worker stress to American business is estimated at $50-$150 billion annually."

The following chart, provided courtesy of the AIS, illustrates 50 common signs and symptoms of stress:

1. Frequent headaches, jaw clenching or pain		26. Insomnia, nightmares, disturbing dreams
2. Gritting, grinding teeth		27. Difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts
3. Stuttering or stammering		28. Trouble learning new information
4. Tremors, trembling of lips, hands		29. Forgetfulness, disorganization, confusion
5. Neck ache, back pain, muscle spasms		30. Difficulty in making decisions.
6. Light headedness, faintness, dizziness		31. Feeling overloaded or overwhelmed.
7. Ringing, buzzing or "popping" sounds		32. Frequent crying spells or suicidal thoughts
8. Frequent blushing, sweating		33. Feelings of loneliness or worthlessness
9. Cold or sweaty hands, feet		34. Little interest in appearance, punctuality
10. Dry mouth, problems swallowing		35. Nervous habits, fidgeting, feet tapping
11. Frequent colds, infections, herpes sores		36. Increased frustration, irritability, edginess
12. Rashes, itching, hives, "goose bumps"		37. Overreaction to petty annoyances
13. Unexplained or frequent "allergy" attacks		38. Increased number of minor accidents
14. Heartburn, stomach pain, nausea		39. Obsessive or compulsive behavior
15. Excess belching, flatulence		40. Reduced work efficiency or productivity
16. Constipation, diarrhea		41. Lies or excuses to cover up poor work
17. Difficulty breathing, sighing		42. Rapid or mumbled speech
18. Sudden attacks of panic		43. Excessive defensiveness or suspiciousness
19. Chest pain, palpitations		44. Problems in communication, sharing
20. Frequent urination		45. Social withdrawal and isolation
21. Poor sexual desire or performance		46. Constant tiredness, weakness, fatigue
22. Excess anxiety, worry, guilt, nervousness		47. Frequent use of over-the-counter drugs
23. Increased anger, frustration, hostility		48. Weight gain or loss without diet
24. Depression, frequent or wild mood swings		49. Increased smoking, alcohol or drug use
25. Increased or decreased appetite		50. Excessive gambling or impulse buying

According to the AIS, "As demonstrated in the above list, stress can have wide ranging effects on emotions, mood and behavior. Equally important but often less appreciated are effects on various systems, organs and tissues all over the body."

Body Systems Affected by Stress

Stress related disorders are numerous, and include:

Pain of Any Kind
Heart Disease
Digestive Problems
Sleep Problems
Depression
Obesity
Autoimmune Diseases
Skin Conditions, such as Eczema

Clearly, the consequences of excess stress are massive. But according to MedicineNet author and Associate Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles Peter J. Panzarino, Jr. M.D. F.A.P.A, stress is not the problem - It is the way we choose to think of and manage our stress that burdens us with the multiple physical and emotional consequences of stress. If we see stress as a positive force that presents us with new opportunities, the negative effects of excess stress are minimized.

Panzarino states in his MedicineNet article, How to Manage Stress, "Stress is simply a fact of nature -- forces from the outside world affecting the individual. Hence, all living creatures are in a constant interchange with their surroundings (the ecosystem), both physically and behaviorally... However, there are critical differences in how different living creatures relate to their environment. These differences have far reaching consequences for survival.

Because of the overabundance of stress in our modern lives, we usually think of stress as a negative experience. But from a biological point of view, stress can be neutral, negative, or positive" Maintaining a positive attitude about the stress in our lives plays a significant role in our health and in our quality of life.

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