What is Stress?

Stress is the emotional and physical strain caused by our response to pressure from the outside world. An outside stimulus excites us (traffic, workload, a rude comment, saber tooth tiger... ) and our body reacts instantaneously by creating a hormone response known as the 'fight or flight'.

This chemical reaction sends us into a hyperdrive for protection and survival. Our heart speeds up, blood is pumped to our limbs (to run or fight), blood to our brain increases (to help make quick decisions), digestion is stopped, muscle tension increases, and our breath becomes shallow and quick.

This reaction is very helpful in dangerous situation where we have to think and act quickly (such as being threatened by an avalanche). The problem is when daily stressors create an overactive stress response it has deterimental effects on our health.

Signs of Stress Overload:

**An estimated two-thirds of doctor visits are stress related problems according o the American Academy of Family Physicians.

How Does Stress Overload Hurt Us?
Physical changes associated with stress may contribute to the leading causes of death - heart disease and cancer.

• Stress can cause chronic fatigue, digestive disorders, headaches and back pain
• Stress can affect the blood cells that help fight infection - causing more colds and infection
• Constant stress increases blood pressure and can increase risk of stroke
• Stress can increase risk of heart attacks (especially if mistrustful or angry)
• Stress makes inflammation worsen - which affects asthma, arthritis, injury recovery, etc.
• Stress makes it difficult to make other healthy choices, such as quitting smoking and eating well.

How Does Massage Therapy Help?
Touch stimulates the sensory nerve receptors in our skin sending messages of relaxation to our brain. Our brain then tells our body we are safe and activates the parasympathetic nervous sytem. This counteracts the effects of 'fight or flight' or the sympathetic nervous system.

The picture below shares with you the specific body reactions associated with the parasympatetic and sympathetic nervous systems.

 

Massage therapy helps keep the body out of the danger zone of stress and disease. Studies have shown that massage can help reduce and reverse symptoms of the following: