Stress: The Silent Driver of Poor Wellbeing

In an adapted version of her blog, FHT Member Marialine Cifre considers the role of stress on our wellbeing and how massage therapy can help

The Role of Massage Therapy in Stress and Nervous System Overload

Have you ever paused and pondered how beautifully intricate the functioning of the human body is? Well, in today’s world you may not even take the time to sit down and enjoy the simple joy of a meal in peace and quiet. Although perhaps our Spanish neighbours know a thing or two about the rest and digest phase after a meal thanks to their Siesta afternoon power nap tradition! In fact, long before, some 2,000 years ago, did you know that the Romans already took a midday rest period?

Fast-forward back to today, every BODY can be affected by nervous system dysfunction, at any age and regardless of your social background.

What is the long-term effect of constantly pushing the boundaries of our body’s resilience? Depending on your genetic predisposition, you will most certainly end up at some point in your life with a nervous system overload. As the saying goes “if you don’t make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness” which explains why it is important to prioritise self-care and well-being to prevent future health worries and maintain a good quality of life. 

What is Nervous System Dysregulation?

Your nervous system plays an important role in your overall health. It is the communication system of the body with all the other body systems, e.g. your endocrine system.

Nervous system dysregulation means a state of imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The two systems have opposite roles but are meant to work together in harmony to keep all body systems in a state of internal balance and optimal function, in other words a state of homeostasis.

Nervous system dysregulation may start affecting your overall health and wellbeing when stuck in high alert for a prolonged period of time; the stress hormone, cortisol, will be released into your bloodstream more often and for longer than it should be which will affect the body’s ability to repair itself, ultimately meaning more risk of disease and illness.

What Are The Symptoms of Stress That Might Be Linked to a Dysregulated Nervous System?

With nervous system dysregulation potentially being an underlying cause of many symptoms, it may eventually manifest as a chronic health condition for example or be linked to certain mental health, cognitive issues and behavioural challenges. The below symptoms and health conditions can be helped to some extent by regulating our nervous system:

·       Chronic muscle and joint pain

·       Neck and shoulder tension – your body seems to be holding tension all the time with no relief in sight

·       Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) pain caused by jaw clenching or teeth grinding at night

·       Sleep disturbances like insomnia or sleep anxiety

·       Appetite regulation – difficulty gaining weight or losing weight

·       Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

·       Fibromyalgia

·       Brain fog

·       Extreme sensitivity and emotional outbursts

·       Impaired cognitive functions and poor decision making

·       Stress-related skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis

·       Endocrine disruption e.g. Amenorrhea for women

·       Panic attacks

·       High-functioning depression

·       Frequent cold and flu as stress and strain on the nervous system weaken your immune system

Overall, pain is positive and protective because it is telling you something is not right. It is essentially a call for action. Your body has its own unique way of communicating – we have to interpret what it might be.

As symptoms are part of the communication system of the body, they are messages to be decrypted and understood, not suppressed or covered up. When ignoring that little niggle, the signals will become louder over time and you may experience more acute pain or discomfort. As the saying goes, “if you listen to your body when it whispers, you won’t have to hear it scream”.

If a symptom is closely intertwined or somewhat subtly linked to a dysregulated nervous system, it means that if you focus on lifestyle changes, chances are that some of your symptoms may improve as you tap into the rest, digest and repair mode of your body’s self-healing capabilities. However, providing the right environment for this to happen is paramount. The key word is relaxation.

The consequences and long-term effect of nervous system dysregulation are unique to you.

In any case, addressing the root cause of any symptom – whether be it mild or acute – can bring long-term relief and even in some cases a permanent cure.

Care: how can massage help me regulate my nervous system?

We shut down our computer, we recharge the battery of our phone but do we systematically do the same for our own body’s optimal functioning? We might not have much control over today’s life stressors but what we do have control over is our stress management techniques. One of the best ways to achieve nervous system regulation is through the medium of massage.

Massage can take off the musculoskeletal load and the emotional load, which might come in the form of stress, anxiety, depression, worry, thought patterns and beliefs, fears and traumatic memories.

So, if you are “stuck” in a state of constant hyper vigilance i.e. fight-or-flight mode, one of the best ways to slowly get back into that lovely and peaceful feeling of rest and recover phase is to have a massage; life may seem beautiful and joyful again all of a sudden!

In Conclusion

A symptom is a call for action or in some instances a call for rest… and yes, a healthy mind gives a healthy body but what might actually help in the very first instance? A flexible, regulated and balanced nervous system with both sympathetic and parasympathetic systems working in harmony so we have the resources to respond to life’s stressors in a graceful manner.

Massage Therapy is a natural painkiller and can indeed assist you to get into the vital rest and recover mode we talked about. It also enhances the healing process by improving blood supply to the cells of your body. The better the blood supply, the better the healing process and overall health! Finally, you are more likely to make good choices after a massage as your mind is clearer, your body systems are relaxed and overall, your nervous system is regulated.

Life is a never-ending healing journey. Rest first and the rest will fall into place. 

Read the full blog here