Do you feel constantly stressed out? Do you feel like there’s never enough time in the day to get everything done? Are you constantly juggling multiple tasks at once? If so, osteopathy may be the solution for you!
Osteopathy is a form of manual therapy that can help release tension and stress from your body. It is a very effective way to combat stress, and it can help improve your overall quality of life.
Osteopathy may be just what you need if you’re looking for a way to reduce stress and live a healthier lifestyle.
What is stress?
Stress is an imbalance often exacerbated when confronted with a situation we feel unable or poorly equipped to handle.
Stress is a normal part of life and is the body’s reaction to physical, mental, or emotional demands that necessitate a change or adaptation to a new situation. Stress can be used to our advantage, keeping us motivated, alert and ready to avoid danger.
A stressful situation may help our mind and body become stronger and more resilient to future stressors.
However, when we are exposed to stress in a negative way, such as through chronic or intense situations, our mind and body’s capacity to manage, process, and tolerate the perceived stress becomes insufficient.
When this happens, the prolonged activation of our stress response affects our mental and physical health.
Stress can change how we see a problem, which diminishes our reasoning skills and ability to understand the issue.
Without treatment, stress can cause mental health issues like anxiety and depression. It can also dictate the emotions and behaviours of those suffering from it.
Common symptoms of stress
You may experience the following symptoms as a result of prolonged stress:
- Headaches
- Stiff and raised shoulders
- Increased perspiration
- Breathing problems
- Palpitations in the heart
If no medical diagnosis has been indicated by your GP, We would advise seeking help from a Registered allied health professional such as an osteopath.
Let us help you investigate other potential causes and give you the tools necessary to manage stress more effectively and relieve your symptoms.
Osteopathic treatment for stress release
To relieve the symptoms of chronic stress, osteopathy can help to balance the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system is in charge of the “fight or flight” response, while the parasympathetic nervous system restores calm, so it’s critical to maintain a balance between the two.
When your body is constantly stressed, your muscles can tense for extended periods. Muscles are not designed to do this, so that they can cause fatigue, aches and pains, and conditions like headaches.
Osteopaths employ several gentle techniques to help relax tight muscles. The central nervous system is calmed by releasing tension and allowing the body to relax. This physical relaxation will make your body feel more at ease, and you may notice that you are more mentally alert.
The respiratory system is another area of the body affected by long-term stress—our breathing rate increases when the “fight or flight” response is activated.
We recommend using breathing techniques to reduce your heart rate to help treat this. Utilise your breath as a pillar within your body to relieve stress and tension.
These techniques can be used anywhere and at any time. In addition to helping you with pain relief, your osteopath can also teach you breathing exercises to help manage stress.
Stress can also cause the muscles surrounding the gut to tighten, affecting the digestive system. This can result in bloating, diarrhoea, or constipation, making you uncomfortable and in pain.
Our osteopaths can gently release this tension, which aids digestion. We also recommend that you stay active and move around to aid digestion.
Can osteopathy release emotions?
Osteopaths can use many different osteopathic treatment methods on the body that can help ease emotional tension, which is being trapped in the tissues of the body. Osteopathic techniques include soft tissue manipulation, myofascial (soft tissue) techniques, craniosacral therapy, counterstrain, facilitated positional release, and muscle energy techniques.
Final thoughts on osteopathy for stress release
We’ve all felt stress from various situations at some point in our lives. And we all know how difficult it is to live with physical and mental stress. It is also prevalent in this fast-paced era.
Overall health can only be achieved when the body and mind are in balance. As a result, mental health is just as important as physical health.
Osteopathy can be a great way to relax and de-stress after a long day, or it can be used as a part of a regular stress management plan. Osteopathy may be your answer if you’re looking for a way to reduce stress levels. Give it a try today!
Book an appointment at Foundation Health for osteopathic care for stress release!
