We
are constantly subjected to various forms of stress in our daily
lives. A certain amount is necessary, to provide us with
challenges, and to stimulate us to strive for survival and
progress. For example, a mind that is not challenged
by problems to be solved becomes bored and stagnates; to
maintain and strengthen muscles, they must be provided with the
mechanical stress of exercise.
The
body is designed to be self-healing. It has mechanisms that
constantly monitor every function that is taking place, and is
continuously adapting to both external influences and stresses,
and to internal changes and stresses.
Health
may be defined as: The body's ability to constructively deal
with all the stresses to which it is subjected. In this way
it is constantly repairing itself, and maintaining its optimum
level of efficient functioning.
Certain
stress factors will cause a temporary reduction of the body's
efficiency, or health, eg. a strained muscle will be stiff and
painful for a few days; then it will return to its normal
condition.
The
body is capable of healing wounds and fractures, counteracting
harmful chemicals, adapting to sudden changes in temperature, etc.
Stress overload Stress becomes a negative, destructive factor in life when it goes beyond
the individual's ability to adapt to it. When the point of
stress overload is reached, instead of the stress being released
from the body, it becomes stored as "body
stress". As we differ in our emotional and physical
makeup, we have varying degrees of susceptibility to stress
overload.
THE
CAUSES OF BODY STRESS
EMOTIONAL
/ MENTAL STRESS FACTORS These
include fear of the future, financial worries, competition in the
work-place, disintegrating family relationships. At times we
experience sudden violent emotions, such as anger or shock, or we
undergo milder but ongoing forms of mental strain, e.g. anxiety,
depression and resentment.
We
may become aware of the physical effect of emotional pressures, as
the diaphragm, jaw, neck and shoulders tighten in a defensive
posture, to armour us against the onslaught of life's stresses.
MECHANICAL
STRESS FACTORS The
body is designed to withstand a certain amount of physical force -
bumps, jerks and falls, but if the mechanical stress goes beyond
the body's limit of adaptability, the effects may become stored as
body stress.
The
causes may be sudden and violent, such as a car accident, a severe
fall, or lifting a heavy object incorrectly. Or, there may
be a gradual accumulation of milder mechanical stress, eg.
habitually sitting incorrectly, or doing inappropriate exercises. CHEMICAL
STRESS FACTORS The
sources of chemical stress include pollutants in the air,
insecticides and certain food additives and preservatives.
Harmful chemicals may be consumed, inhaled, or even absorbed when
contacting the skin.
THE
EFFECTS OF BODY STRESS
When
the point of stress overload is reached, the stress becomes
"locked" into the body and manifests as lines of
tension.
The
body adopts a protective mode of action by means of automatic
reflexes, causing adjacent and overlying muscles to splint the
area.
It
appears that this action has a dampening effect on the nervous
system, thereby causing the brain's filtering mechanism to ignore
the areas of body stress.
In
time when the body is required to take greater defensive action,
stiffness may become noticeable, ultimately leading to postural
distortion. It may also lead to loss of flexibility, pain or
numbness.
A
person with body stress may also feel tense, tired, and lacking in
energy and enthusiasm for life. Headaches, backache and
indigestion may follow.
It
is also possible for the body stress to be present without the
individual feeling any pain or stiffness - he or she will simply
come to accept as normal their sense of having less than 100 per
cent well-being.
While
the stress or tension remains stored in the body, the normal tone
of the body is disturbed, causing a reduction in its general
efficiency. As its defence mechanisms become weakened, the
body becomes less and less able to deal with further stresses to
which it is subjected daily. In this way the individual
moves increasingly further away from the optimum state of health.
REDUCING
THE NEGATIVE STRESS IN OUR LIVES
We
all need to take responsibility for our own health, by striving to
reduce the negative stresses to which we are subjected.
To
minimise chemical stress, it makes sense to follow a balanced and
varied diet. Eat foods in forms as close as possible to
their original state, and choose those containing the fewest
additives. We should avoid exposure to harmful substances,
by minimising skin contact and being careful not to inhale sprays.
We
can reduce mechanical stress by improving our posture, by sitting,
bending and lifting correctly, and avoiding potentially harmful
exercises. Obviously it is helpful to pursue moderate and
sensible forms of exercise to strengthen muscles.
As
for the emotional/mental stress in our lives, we need to learn to
consciously relax when we feel ourselves becoming tense. It
is also advisable to seek out whatever activities and techniques
help us, as individuals, to approach emotional balance and inner
peace.
By
minimising stress overload, together with Body Stress Release, we
allow ourselves the opportunity of expressing our highest life
potential.
BSR AND THE LOWER BACK
THE
CAUSES OF BODY STRESS IN THE LOWER BACK
The
jarring effect of accidents and falls may cause body stress to
become locked into the lower back.
Also, heavy or incorrect
lifting or bending may strain ligaments and muscles and result in
stress becoming stored in the structures.
The wrong kinds of
exercise - those which involve twisting movements or repeated
forward bending - may stress the lumbar spine.
Another cause
is poor posture, especially sitting in a slumped position which
reverses the normal lumbar curve.
Sitting
like this may give temporary relief from back pain, as it causes
the joint spaces to open up at the back and thus reduce pressure
on spinal nerves for a short time. However, this posture
builds up pressure on the discs and in time the back walls of the
discs may weaken and develop a bulge. This would result in
pressure being exerted on a spinal nerve.
THE
EFFECTS OF BODY STRESS IN THE LOWER BACK
Irritation
to the spinal nerves of the lower back may result in back pain and
this may be referred along the nerve pathways into the abdomen,
groin, hips, legs or feet. Often pain is felt along the
large sciatic nerve which passes through the buttock and down the
back of the leg. There may also be sensations of numbness in
any of these areas. Muscle function may be affected,
resulting in stiffness or weakness.
The compression effect
in the lower back may be so severe that the back muscles lock up
in a protective spasm, pulling the spine sideways or forwards.
While
body stress remains stored in the lower back, the irritation to
the nerves may undermine or disturb the normal functioning of the
areas and organs they supply. Thus body stress may lead to
digestive problems, e.g. constipation/diarrhea, bladder complaints
and may adversely affect sexual function.
Sometimes
a person may not be aware of the body stress in the lower back
other than feeling stiffness on arising in the morning.
After BSR a person may be pain-free for a period, then experience
a return of the problem for no apparent reason. This signals
that the lower back is ready to undergo further deeper releases of
body stress.
If
the body stress has been present in the lower back for a long time
(the cause may have originated in childhood), it may be necessary
for the stored tension to be released in "layers" over a
period of time.
As
the foundation of the spine, the lower back area affects the
stability of the rest of the spine. Therefore, if body
stress is stored in the lumbar area, muscular tension will be
referred to the upper back and neck.
CASES - LOWER BACK ISSUES
A
48 year old man was experiencing such intense calf pain that he
was unable to walk. He was not aware of any pain in his
lower back. A week of traction in hospital had not eased the
problem. After the first BSR session the lower back become
very painful as feeling was restored to numbed nerves. The
calf pain was unchanged. After the second session three days
later the pain withdrew from the calves and was felt in the hips
and lower back. After further releases 5 days later, the
pain in the lower back began to lessen. The final
session was 3 days after that. Within two weeks the client
was pain-free and was able to return to work.
For
several years a 15 year old boy had experienced the embarrassment
of frequent bed-wetting, as well as intermittent lower back
pain. After three sessions, in which pressure was released
in the lumbar spine, he had no further bladder problems. The
bed-wetting recurred a year later after a heavy fall at rugby, but
cleared up once more after two sessions of BSR.
A
31 year old woman had walked with one foot rotated outwards, ever since a
motor accident in her teens. She frequently woke with her
lower back in a painful spasm. She underwent regular BSR
over a period of 3 months. Her foot was restored to its
normal position and her buttock muscles, which had been wasted,
had rebuilt.
ADVICE
TO MINIMISE STRESS IN THE LOWER BACK
When
bending down, bend your knees rather than bending at the waist.
When
lifting, use the thigh muscles to take the strain. Hold the
object close to the body and avoid twisting.
When
sitting, ensure that the lumbar curve is maintained and that the
knees are level with or lower than the hips. Do not sit with
the feet up or recline for a long period in the bath.
Avoid
exercises which reverse or strain the lumbar curve, e.g.
toe-touching, sit-ups, double leg raisers.
Take
a few minutes to do the daily morning exercise which your BSR
practitioner recommends, in order to strengthen the lower back and
abdominal muscles.
Your
mattress should be neither too hard nor too soft. It should
support the normal hollow of the lower back.
BSR AND THE NECK
THE
CAUSES OF BODY STRESSIN THE NECK
MECHANICAL
CAUSES
Jarring
or jerking the neck as in a fall or a whiplash in a car accident;
working or reading with the head tilted downwards for lengthy periods; twisting the neck as in reversing a car.
MENTAL/EMOTIONAL
CAUSES
Emotions
like intense anger, anxiety or shock, which cause a person to
hunch the shoulders and tighten the neck muscles. A state of
ongoing depression will also bring about postural distortions.
In
addition, the physical discomfort resulting from the body stress
will reinforce the negative emotions and lead to a vicious circle.
CHEMICAL
CAUSES
Exposure
to harmful chemicals may severely irritate the nervous system and
cause the neck muscles to tighten, e.g. chemicals which we inhale,
such as car fumes and insecticides; substances which we absorb
through the skin, such as cleaning materials and certain
cosmetics. Some people react adversely to certain foods and
to preservatives and colourants. Very often an infection, such as
the flu or cold virus, will result in neck stress.
THE
EFFECTS OF BODY STRESSIN THE NECK
The
body stress stored in the neck structures may cause pain and
stiffness and an inability to fully turn the head. As the
lower neck supplies the nerves to the arms, there may be pain or
numbness in the shoulder, arm or hand. Muscles may be
weakened, resulting in difficulty in grasping objects. The
tension in the neck may cause headaches or pain in the face or
jaw. There may be sensations of dizziness or nausea.
The pressure may irritate nerve pathways which connect with the
eyes, nose and mouth and this could adversely affect vision and
the senses of smell and taste. Another effect may be a
burning, dry mouth or excess saliva. Body stress in the neck
area may also have an impact on nerve connections to internal
organs, such as the heart, lungs and digestive system, undermining
normal function.
CASES A
woman of 28 had been experiencing almost constant headaches for 6
months, as well as a stiff and painful neck. She had 2
sessions of BSR. After each one, the pain withdrew but returned
within a day. Detailed questioning revealed that she had
started using a new skin cream about 6 months before. She
stopped using it, and after one further session of BSR her neck
stabilised and the headaches ceased.
A
man of 42 complained of numbness in his arms, pins and needles in
his fingers, and weakness of the hands. Body stress was
released in his neck over 3 sessions. He reported that full
sensation and strength had returned to his arms a week later.
A
woman in her thirties had suffered from frequent attacks of
asthma since a neck whiplash in a car accident, four months
previously. After three sessions of BSR full movement was
restored to her neck and all symptoms of asthma had ceased.
ADVICE
TO MINIMISE STRESS TO THE NECK Never
sleep on your stomach, as lying with the neck twisted may be harmful.
If
you sleep on your back use a soft pillow which you can mould to
support the hollow of your neck. Do not use a thick pillow
which would tilt the chin downwards.
If
you sleep on your side, double the pillow over to ensure that your
head remains level and does not tilt towards your shoulder.
Do
not do neck exercises. They are not necessary and may stress
the neck muscles.
Each
morning and evening and at any time when you may have stressed
your neck. (e.g. working with your head tilted down) take a
few moments to check your neck for sensitive spots and ease them
in the way your BSR practitioner has shown you.
Beware
of a backwash at the hairdresser - insist on having a rolled-up
towel between your neck and the edge of the basin.
BSR AND THE MID AND UPPER BACK
CAUSES
OF BODY STRESSIN THE MID AND UPPER BACK
The
chest and back areas may be strained by working in a hunched or
twisted posture, e.g. bending over a sewing machine, doing
woodwork, etc. Body stress may be caused by lifting heavy
objects or by holding something up for a long time.
Body
stress may also occur as a painful spasm of the diaphragm
muscle.
Besides the mechanical causes mentioned above, the
cause may be emotional tension, such as shock or anxiety, e.g. the
typical "butterflies in the stomach" feeling.
In
addition the cause may be chemical, e.g. irritation from eating or
drinking something spicy, acid or very cold. If
there is body stress in the lower back, it may be referred into
the muscles of the chest and upper back.
THE
EFFECTS OF BODY STRESS IN THE MID AND UPPER BACK
There
may be a mild, nagging ache in the upper back between the shoulder
blades, or possibly a persistent itching. The body stress
may also manifest as a severe stabbing pain in this area, or in
the chest. The pain is worsened by deep breathing.
Body stress in the diaphragm muscle may result in indigestion or heartburn, or a feeling of breathlessness.
It may also manifest as a constant feeling of hunger.
Body
stress in the mid and upper back may have an impact on the nerve supply
to various internal organs, such as heart, lungs, kidneys and bladder,
and may interfere with normal function.
CASES Every
few months a four year old girl would wake up in the night with
severe stomach pain.
On
each occasion she was rushed to hospital but all tests were
negative. After a few hours the pain would ease. The
BSR assessment showed body stress in the lower rib and diaphragm
areas. Questioning the mother revealed that the little girl
at times requested iced fruit juice before going to sleep.
The problem did not recur as the mother withheld the iced drinks.
After
cutting his lawn with a heavy mower, a 40 year old man experienced
sudden severe chest pain and breathlessness. The condition
continued for two weeks, although medical tests were all
negative. After body stress was released in the sternum and
rib area the pain withdrew and did not recur.
ADVICE
TO MINIMISE STRESS TO THE MID AND UPPER BACK Do
not remain working in a hunched or twisted posture for any lengthy
period. Take frequent breaks or change
position. In heavy lifting the object should be held close
to the body. Do not carry heavy objects without
assistance. Avoid foods and drinks which tend to cause
indigestion or heartburn, and certain food combinations which
cause bloating and pressure in the diaphragm area.
BSR AND THE ARMS AND LEGS
THE
ARMS
THE
SHOULDER JOINT
The
upper arm bone fits into a shallow socket on the side of the
shoulder blade. As this allows a wide range of movement the
shoulder joint is easily subject to body stress. Reaching above
the head, stretching the arm backward, jarring effects in sport
like tennis - these actions may strain the ligaments and muscles
of the shoulder and tension becomes locked into the joint.
The
shoulder may be stiff and painful. If there is a build-up of
inflammation the pain may be intense. Most likely the release of
the stored tension would have to be carried out several times over
a period of time, to enable the joint to stabilise and healing to
take place.
In
a long-term case of body stress of the shoulder, the joint may
become "frozen", i.e. its mobility is severely
restricted. In certain of such cases, full movement of the
shoulder is restored immediately after the stress is released. In
other cases this may occur only after several sessions of BSR.
Therefore it is advisable to have the shoulder attended to as
early as possible.
THE
ELBOW, WRIST AND HAND
These
joints may be stressed by jarring the arm, as in a fall, by
twisting movements, such as using a screwdriver or opening a tight
jar, or by vigorous actions such as scrubbing or using woodworking
tools.
Tension
becomes locked into the elbow joint, between the small wrist
bones, or between the hand bones. Carrying heavy shopping bags
with the handles looped around the fingers may induce body stress
in the joints of the fingers or at the knuckles.
As
a result pain or stiffness will be experienced, and possible
numbness or tingling. There may be weakness of the muscles when
attempting to lift or grasp an object.
CASES
A
pianist was aware of a sense of restriction in the palm of one
hand. Body stress was located between the hand bones. A few days
after the release, he reported that the reach of his hand had
increased, enhancing his skill in playing the piano.
A
woman in her sixties sought BSR care for relief from pain and
stiffness in her neck. In the third session she reported that her
neck was fully moveable and pain-free, but her left wrist had
become painful. She explained that ever since a fall off a horse
in her teens she had lost all movement in her wrist.
Body
stress tests of the arm revealed tension stored between the bones
of the forearm and between the wrist bones. A few days after the
releases the pain withdrew and normal movement of the wrist was
restored. The client reported that she was able to fulfill a lifelong
ambition to take up golf.
Note:As
the nerve supply to the arms and hands originates from the spinal
nerves of the neck, it is essential that any body stress in the
neck is released. In many instances, pain, stiffness and numbness
in the arm or hand is due to compression in the neck and not in
the arm itself.
THE
LEGS
THE
HIP JOINT
The
ball-shaped structure at the upper end of the thigh bone fits into
a deep, secure socket in the pelvis. However this joint may be
stressed by movements such as mounting a bicycle, or a horse, or from a
fall, or from sitting cross-legged when unaccustomed to this
position.
As
tension becomes locked into the hip joint there may be
restricted mobility, a sharp jabbing pain deep in the joint, or a
milder ache when walking or dancing.
THE
KNEE JOINT
This
joint undergoes a great deal of daily strain, as not only does it
bear the weight of the body, it is designed for the flexibility of
a hinge joint. The cartilage pad in the knee joint and the
ligaments supporting the joint may be stressed by twisting the
knee, by jarring it in a fall or in a hard kick.
When
there is body stress in the knee, besides being painful, the knee
joint may be weakened to the point of collapsing when pressure is
exerted on the leg, as in going up or down stairs.
THE
ANKLE AND FOOT
Body
stress may become locked into the joints if a person jars or
twists the ankle, as in stepping off a pavement incorrectly, or as
a result of a kicking action. Besides pain, there may be a
sensation of the ankle collapsing when placing the weight of the
body on that leg. The joints of the toes may also become stressed
and this may in time contribute to the development of a bunion - a
distortion in the area of the big toe.
A CASE
A
woman in her mid-fifties fractured an ankle bone. Two years later
it was still swollen and stiff, although there was no pain. She
was experiencing lower back pain and an ache in the back of her
thigh. After body stress was released in the spine over several
sessions, the back and leg pain withdrew. No stress was detectable
in the ankle. A month later she returned and reported that her
ankle had become painful. Body stress was released in the ankle
and heel regions. By the following day the ankle swelling had
subsided and the foot was fully flexible and free of pain. It is
significant that the tension stored in the ankle could be located
and dealt with only once efficient nerve supply to the area had
been restored.
NOTE:As
the nerve supply to the legs and feet originates from the spinal
nerves of the lower back, it is vital that any body stress in this
area of the spine is released. Very commonly, any pain, stiffness
or numbness in the legs or feet is a result of compression in the
lower back.
BSR AND PREGNANCY
Body
stress in the lower back may affect the nerve supply to the ovaries and
uterus, undermining their efficient functioning. This may result in
menstrual cramps, excessively heavy menstruation, irregular ovulation
and infertility.
During pregnancy it is
essential to keep the lower back free of body stress as pressure in
this area may cause tension of the ligaments connecting the uterus to
the sacrum (the bone at the base of the spine). This could lead to
lower back discomfort and also may irritate the nerve supply to the
legs resulting in leg pain (sciatica).
A woman of 32, four months into her second pregnancy, was experiencing
twinges of hip and leg pain. She dreaded the situation developing into
the severe “pinched nerve” pain which she had undergone during her
first pregnancy. After several sessions of BSR all lower back and leg
pain withdrew. With monthly maintenance sessions she remained pain free
until the birth.
Following the birth of her fourth child several months previously, a
woman of thirty five was experiencing lower back pain and almost
constant diarrhea. All medical tests were negative. After three
sessions of BSR she no longer had diarrhea at night. Over the following
six months, with regular BSR care, the tension in her lower back was
relieved and the muscles were restored to their normal tone. The bouts
of diarrhea became less frequent during this time and finally ceased.
There have been many cases in which women who were assumed to be
infertile were able to become pregnant after the pressure had been
released in the lower back.
A woman of 24 tried to conceive over a period of two years. Her medical
examination revealed that she was not ovulating. After three months of
regular BSR she became pregnant.
A mother of two girls had experienced mild lower back pain for several
years. When it suddenly worsened she turned to BSR for relief. After
eight sessions over a three month period the pain had completely
cleared and she found to her amazement that she had become pregnant.
Initially this was a shock as she and her husband had long abandoned
the hope of having a third child - their younger daughter was eight
years old. However they were delighted when their first son was born.
BSR AND BABIES AND CHILDREN
By keeping a child's
body free of body stress, it is assisted in ensuring that the
growth and development are normal and healthy.
CAUSES
OF BODY STRESSIN BABIES
If
the birth process was difficult, a baby may be born with body
stress, especially in the neck and lower spine.
Small
children are likely to accumulate body stress as a result of
frequent falls and jerks while playing, or trying to lift heavy
objects.
Children
may sit incorrectly, e.g. reading or studying while sitting
hunched over on a bed will induce stress in the neck and lower
back.
Watching
television while in a half-lying position which reverses the
normal lumbar curve will cause pressure to build up in the spine.
As
they approach puberty, children become more self-conscious and may
develop poor posture. Hunched shoulders, a contracted chest and
downward tilted head occur as a defensive mechanism against the
new challenges and stresses in life. Muscles tighten and tension
becomes locked into the body.
WHEN
SHOULD A BABY OR CHILD BE ASSESSED FOR BODY STRESS?
The
birth process can be stressful to the baby. It makes sense to
have a baby assessed for body stress within a few months of the
birth, even if there do not appear to be any problems. In
this way, if there is any tension stored in the baby's neck or
back it will be released before it accumulates to have an adverse
impact on the nervous system.
The
BSR practitioner carries out the checks and releases while the
baby is lying on the mother's chest or lap. The pressure
applied is very light and comfortable for the baby. After
the stored stress is released a baby very often will fall into a
sound sleep.
Small
children cannot always verbalise what they are feeling, but the
parents may observe signs indicating the presence of body
stress. For example, a normally good-natured child will
become sullen and uncooperative, or the child may talk about a
"funny feeling in the tummy", or complain of sore legs.
Children
enjoy experiencing BSR as it is a gentle procedure and they become
aware of how different they feel once the stored tension has been
released. Often a small child will be aware of the body
stress and will ask to be taken for a BSR session.
Babies
& children respond very quickly to BSR, as the pressure has
not been present in the body for a long time and is readily
released.
CASES A
two day old baby could not suckle, as her tongue kept flicking to
the corner of her mouth. After body stress was released in
the neck she began suckling normally.
A
mother reported that her twelve week old baby had cried almost
constantly since birth, and he hunched his shoulders and screamed
when moved. Immediately after body stress was released in
the neck the exhausted baby fell asleep for 10 hours. Much
to the relief of the distressed parents, he became placid and
contented.
A
five month old baby kept his arms in spasm against his chest and
his gaze appeared to be unfocused. Cerebral palsy was
suspected. After one session of BSR his arms relaxed.
After a second session his mother reported that he was able to
focus on her face and respond to her. Six months later his
grandmother sent a photograph of him and a letter to say that his
development was normal in every way.
A
six year old brain-damaged boy had both arms and legs bent in
constant spasm, and his mobility was limited to rolling on the
floor. After 4 sessions of BSR the limbs had relaxed
completely and he began crawling. Two weeks later his
parents reported that he was walking.
A
three year old girl was described by her father as naughty, as
medical tests showed no reason for her continual
bed-wetting. During the two weeks after the stress in the
lumbar spine was released, the bouts of bed-wetting steadily
decreased in frequency, and then ceased entirely.
THE
EFFECTS OF BODY STRESSON BABIES AND CHILDREN A
common sign that a baby has body stress in the neck is constant
crying for no apparent reason. When body stress is present
in the lower back the baby will cry when the hips are lifted while the
nappy is being changed. The impact on the nervous system may
cause constipation. Body stress in the area of the diaphragm
may result in colic.
Toddlers
who refuse to walk and demand to be carried, or who complain of
sore legs, (so-called growing pains) very likely have body stress
in the lower back. The leg muscles may be affected, causing a
tendency of the feet to turn inwards. Bed-wetting may occur
if the nerve supply to the bladder is irritated.
At
school, a child with tension in the neck may lack concentration
and become disruptive. If there is pressure in the lower
back, the child may be restless and unable to sit still.
Ceramic artwork above by Sandra Uttridge - representing the Body Stress Release Logo
Music by Mike and Matt for your pleasure. Album under construction - title: Surena:
