Stress

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) was discussed in Chapter 3 in connection with the reflex effects of massage. That discussion is extended here, applied specifically to stress and autonomic arousal. The relevant function of the ANS to relaxation massage is that when an individual experiences severe fear or pain, or has a strong emotional reaction, the hypothalamus is stimulated to transmit impulses to the spinal cord which cause a sympathetic discharge, resulting in the alarm response, or general adaptation syndrome (Seyle 1982) (Fig. 10.1). This is the protective mechanism which prepares an animal or human for ‘flight or fight’, to ensure that, whichever of these actions is chosen, the animal is physiologically prepared for vigorous activity. The changes include an increase in blood levels of glucose, cortisol, adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine), and an increase in blood pressure, blood flow to skeletal muscles, muscle tone and heart rate—the sympathetic stress response (Figs. 10.2 and 10.3).

Figure 10.1 • • Control centres of the hypothalamus.

Reprinted from Textbook of Medical Physiology 8e, Guyton (1991) with permission from Elsevier.

Figure 10.2 • • Current concepts of the stress syndrome.

Reprinted from Anatomy and Physiology 6e, Thibodeau & Patton (2007) with permission from Elsevier.

Figure 10.3 • • Seyle’s hypothesis about activation of the stress mechanism.

Reprinted from Anatomy and Physiology 6e, Thibodeau & Patton (2007) with permission from Elsevier.

In Chapter 3 the concept of a stressor was briefly examined in relation to various types of touch and other stimulation via the sense organs. A stressor acts to arouse the sympathetic branch of the ANS; massage is frequently used to achieve the opposite effect, the aim being to provoke a decrease of activity in the sympathetic branch and an increase of activity in the parasympathetic branch of the ANS, thus returning the body to a normal balance.

Arousal is the result of an individual’s personal response to any stimulus perceived as a threat. Clinical stress may occur if the arousal persists and the individual develops feelings of being unable to cope; thus, stress can be viewed as a form of chronic arousal. Prolonged stress may result in raised levels of cortisol, which can have further harmful effects, such as decreased immunity and hypertension. Unremitting stress is undesirable for the human organism. To maintain health there must be a reversal of the arousal and a return to a normal baseline state of homoeostasis (Table 10.1).

Table 10.1 Stress-related diseases and conditions

From Anatomy and Physiology 6e, Thibodeau & Patton (2007), Elsevier.

Some people with clinical stress initially require pharmacological intervention, but longer term therapies focus principally on developing coping strategies which may be in the form of:

Therapists who work in mental health care find that massage is a useful component when teaching body awareness techniques; this is often the first stage of physical treatment which attempts to reverse the musculoskeletal aspects of stress, such as muscle tension. Massage is not used in isolation but as an integral part of the rehabilitation programme; it may enhance relaxation and also promote integration of the physical senses.

Outside the orthodox health care setting, people often seek massage for ‘stress’, which has become a common term used to describe feelings of fatigue, tension and general weariness brought on by, for example, overwork, lack of sleep and worry. This condition is clearly to be differentiated from clinical stress, but massage is an appropriate prophylaxis if used in conjunction with exercise and other activities which promote physical and mental well being.

Anxiety and depression

Feeling anxious or depressed is a normal response to harrowing life events such as bereavement, loss of a job or financial difficulties. In healthy people these feelings reduce as the person adapts to the situation, uses coping strategies and returns to a state of mental well being. Anxiety and depression become mental disorders when the feelings are prolonged and constant.

In anxiety

Related posts:

Massage in context Assessment and treatment planning A biological basis Therapeutic and reflex effects Pathological principles Regional application of classical massage techniques

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel

Join