Stress has been linked to many types of physical ailments. Who among us has not experienced the tight neck and upper body muscles that accompany stress? Those kinks that prevent us from being able to move freely occur as the result of both long term and short term stress when our muscles do something called
"bracing"
Bracing is, according to Kottler and Chen in the book Stress Management and Prevention, an involuntary muscle contraction in the neck and back muscles. Many people don't realize that they are in a braced posture during the course of a day. So just think about what happens when there is a known stressful encounter. The tightening and bracing of the muscles can easily intensify. The benefits of massage therapy are numerous. Elliott Greene in the Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, refers to massage as
"a non-drug intervention"
for counteracting the damaging effects of stress. Massage is instrumental in addressing bracing and relieving the tension in those muscles but also in promoting the healing and relaxation for the body, mind and spirit. Massage also promotes increased blood flow throughout the body, reduced inflammation and soothing of the nervous system. There are different types of massage including Swedish, Deep tissue, Oriental massage, and my favorite - Hot stone massage! Each has specific benefits and techniques but all have the same effect - wonderful feelings of relaxation and calm. So, when was the last time you had a massage? I think starting off with scheduling a massage once a month is a good goal. When was the last time you had a massage? What do you think?
Reference: Kottler, J. & Chen, D. (2011). Stress Management and Prevention, chapter 2. Thomson Wadsworth Publishing.
Greene, E. (1998). Massage and Touch in Jennifer Jacobs, ed. The Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Journey Editions Publishing.
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