Can Osteopathic Treatment be Effective in Stress Management?
It is tough!! We all experience stress at some point in our lives from different situations. And we all know that living with stress is very difficult, it is hard for both body and mind. Also in this fast-paced era, it is very common. Overall health can only be attained if the body and mind are in equilibrium. Hence, mental health is as important as physical health.
Don’t panic. We are here for you, to help you, to bring back your smile, don’t get stressed!!
Stress and stressors
Stress is the response of the body to the changing demands of the environment. The fight-or-flight response, controlled by the central nervous system is meant for the body to deal with dangerous situations, and our body itself makes alternative resources to deal with or escape from the situation. The sympathetic nervous system causes the fight-or-flight response and the parasympathetic system restores the calmness, putting a balance between the two.
Stressors, which produce stress which include work pressure, trauma, or anything that puts you under pressure. It can be big or small and can be different for different individuals that occur at different times.
Stress Types
Acute stress
Short term stress, often experienced in day to day life
Chronic stress
Never-ending type, such as those from an unhappy marriage, etc.
Episodic acute stress
Acute stress occurring frequently, like the one seen in a pessimistic person.
Good and bad stress
Every person experiences stress, but in different ways. The triggering factor may also be different. One has to identify the triggering factor, how and when getting stressed, and methods of management too.Â
But not all stresses are bad. In times, stress may help you become smarter, wiser, and alert.
Stress makes people more attentive, productive and motivated as it improves the cognitive function and performance of the brain.
Stress can help you build your resilience. You get adapted to situations and a similar incident in the future can help you cope with it or overcome it, in cases.
Also, stress produces a chemical (glycoprotein), that regulates the immune system and helps you fight against the common cold, etc. However, chronic stress reduces immunity and causes inflammation.
However, prolonged stress may affect the body in various ways, which in turn affects various systems and their functions, like those of cardiovascular, digestive, immune as well as reproductive system. You are more vulnerable to become sick, and recovery from trauma or injury becomes difficult.
Chronic stress can also harm your sleep cycle and can also influence your mental health.
Thus, a constant check should be kept on chronic stress for the overall sanity and wellbeing.
STRESS SYMPTOMS
Stress may produce the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Increases heart rate
- Increases sweating
- Heart palpitation
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Hypertension
- Disturbed sleep
- Fatigue
- Tightness of shoulder and chest
- Asthma and breathing difficulties
- Depression
In severe cases, stress may affect the relationships, mood, and self-esteem of the person.
Stress management through Osteopathy
It is very difficult to live with stress as it keeps on influencing your physical as well as mental health. Proper medical aid should have to seek to get rid of stress, to lead a balanced and calmer life.
Osteopathy is a holistic practice that makes sure that all bodily systems and functions are properly aligned.
Osteopathy uses gentle and safe techniques, including stretching, massage, and manipulation while dealing with the symptomatic manifestations of stress. An improvement from the symptoms of stress helps you create a better sense of wellbeing and to have control over yourself.
Osteopathy keeps a watch over systemic interrelationships is also made while considering the treatment, for instance: by reducing the tension in the muscles and doing rib-stretching techniques to reduce the tightness, respiration is improved, paving a way for better relaxation. Proper digestion may get restricted due to stress as it causes tightness of muscles lining the gut, which may cause diarrhoea, constipation, or bloating. Osteopathic techniques cause muscle relaxation, hence causing a reduction in muscle tension, thereby enabling proper digestion. As stress brings down the energy level, that eventually affects the immune system, tiredness and fatigue are felt by a person. As Osteopathy uses relaxation techniques, massage, the stress level is reduced and the patient may find calmness. A decrease in the level of carbon dioxide in the blood may lead to hyperventilation. Thus, shortness of breath may cause tightness of the chest, dizziness, etc. Osteopathy assists to deal with the condition by instructing breathing exercises and gentle massages., and live better by releasing unnecessary tensions.
Suitable exercises are also prescribed by an Osteopath that helps relaxation, by lowering the stress level and manage stress properly.
Awareness of certain lifestyle modifications can also be made by an Osteopath that can help eliminate stress by adapting you from withdrawal from unhealthy habits: alcohol, smoking, fatty junk food, etc, and practising a healthy balanced diet.