The 4th of November 2015 marks the 17th National Stress Awareness Day, an event that is held annually to celebrate helping people to beat stress. Stress is the body’s reaction to changes in life that require an adjustment or response. Many of life’s events can cause stress, particularly work related issues, financial problems and relationships; when you start to feel stressed, issues can seem harder to deal with and can affect almost everything you do.
We often think of stress as an emotional problem, but it can manifest itself in a number of ways; not only having an effect on the way you feel and behave, but also how your body works. Some of the most common signs of stress include:
• Neck, shoulder and upper back pain
• Sleeping problems
• Loss of appetite
• Sweating
• Feelings of anxiousness
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Muscle tension and pain
Osteopaths believe that regardless of what effects stress has on the body, it is intrinsically linked to the central nervous system. As all functions of the body are controlled by the nervous system, any change to the nervous system can result in illness. By treated common symptoms of stress, like helping to improve the movement of joints and remove muscle tension, osteopaths can not only treat other symptoms that occur as a result of stress, but the also the route of these symptoms – the nervous system.
One of the basic beliefs that osteopathy is based upon is that the mind and body are interdependent, so by treating the body, this can have a positive effect on the mind. When we feel overstretched by work, or left feeling anxious about financial deadlines, it’s fair to say that we completely forget about the importance of good posture when our mind is on other problems. As we haunch our shoulders, this can put extra pressure on our bones and joints, leading to pain and tension, and sometimes causing previous complaints to flare up. However, by treating these problems and releasing tension, osteopaths can help to make patients feel much better emotionally.
It is also worth noting that touch itself can have a therapeutic effect, calming and relaxing us. This sense of relaxation can help us to sleep better and stand a much better chance of facing problems with a clear head.
At Fiona Passey & Partners, our osteopaths regularly treat patients suffering from stress as well as symptoms that are closely related to stress. As well as treating patients physically with gentle manipulative adjustments and joint realignment, we can also offer advice on exercises, diet and other techniques for dealing with stress correctly.
As well as treating stress through osteopathy, we can also provide support for stress through counselling at our Halesowen practice. Counsellors are trained to listen and respond affectively, helping you to explore your feelings and make more sense of confusing feelings and stressful situations.
If you are suffering from stress, call us today at our Halesowen practice on 0121 585 8555, where we can provide osteopathic treatment and counselling, or contact our Wombourne practice on 01902 894 894 where we can provide osteopathy.
