WHAT IS BODY STRESS?
When the body fails to adapt effectively to stressful circumstances stress overload is reached and the muscles may involuntarily clench in protective action. This muscular response is usually the body’s attempt to reduce mobility or limit movement of an affected joint, tendon or tissue.
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When normal stresses and strains reach the point of overload, this tension may become locked into the body’s physical structures. This stored tension is known as ‘body stress’. Over time this accumulative progression of body stress exerts pressure on the spinal nerves and may result in pain, numbness, muscle weakness, stiffness, distorted posture and impaired functioning.
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At first one may just gradually feel fatigued but later pain, stiffness, or numbness may set in. The effects may vary, but the result could be a slow decline in overall health.
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Sometimes stored body stress is so severe that even just one small movement can set off a severe cascade of painful symptoms. Body stress needs to be effectively and precisely released to encourage and restore normal functioning to stop the cycle of stress overload and compensation.
CAUSES OF BODY STRESS (STRESS TRIGGERS)
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Emotional / Mental Stress
Every day we are exposed to an onslaught of Emotional, Mechanical and Chemical Stresses. Mental stress factors include fear of the future, financial worries, competition in the work place or even disintegrating family relationships. At times we experience sudden violent emotions, such as anger or shock, or we undergo milder but on-going forms of mental strain, e.g. anxiety, depression and resentment. We may become aware of the physical effect of emotional pressures, as the diaphragm, jaw, neck and shoulders tighten in a defensive posture, to armour us against the onslaught of life’s stresses.
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To reduce emotional/mental stress in our lives, we need to learn to consciously relax when we feel ourselves becoming tense. It is also advisable to seek out whatever activities and techniques help us as individuals, to approach emotional balance and inner peace e.g. meditating.
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Mechanical / Physical Stress
The body is designed to withstand a certain amount of physical force – bumps, jerks and falls, but if the mechanical stress goes beyond the body’s limit of adaptability, the effects may become stored as body stress. The causes may be sudden and violent, such as a car accident, a severe fall, or lifting a heavy object incorrectly. Or, there may be a gradual accumulation of milder mechanical stress, e.g. habitually sitting incorrectly, or doing inappropriate exercises.
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We can reduce mechanical stress by improving our posture, by sitting, bending and lifting correctly and avoiding potentially harmful exercises. Obviously it is helpful to pursue moderate and sensible forms of exercise to strengthen muscles e.g. a brisk walk for 20 to 30 minutes every day.
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Chemical Stress
The sources of chemical stress may include pollutants in the air, insecticides and certain food additives, preservatives, colorant and artificial growth hormones. Harmful chemicals may be consumed, inhaled, or even absorbed when coming into contact with the skin. Examples of chemical stress may be severe headaches and nausea, to name but two.
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To minimise chemical stress, it makes sense to follow a balanced and varied diet. Eat foods in forms as close as possible to their original state and choose those containing the fewest additives. We should avoid exposure to harmful substances, by minimising skin contact and being careful not to inhale sprays.
DO YOU SUFFER FROM BODY STRESS?
When a health problem persists, in spite of a variety of treatments, one needs to consider whether the source of the condition has been overlooked. Dealing with effects will not resolve the situation if the cause is not addressed. If you suffer from any of the symptoms below, you may suffer from body stress:
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Pins and needles
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Numbness
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Spasms
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Dizziness
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Discomfort
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Stiffness
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Pain
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An illness/medical condition
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Feeling continuously tired and listless
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Not feeling 100% well
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