Managing Stress

Bodywork to the Rescue

 Stress, typically thought of as a bad thing, can be good if it is properly managed. Stress, like gravity, provides a level of resistance in our lives that makes us stronger. The foundation of joy and ecstasy are related to the build up of stress that has a positive resolution. It is the stress of working out that makes us stronger. The stress of studying makes us smarter. Stress, in and of itself, is not a bad thing.

 So why is stress such a big issue in modern life? There are a number of factors. If it is extreme, repetitive, or we lack the ability to cope with the stress, it can cause a build up of stress hormones known as cortisol. Cortisol is released by the adrenals in response to stress, which causes changes in body functions for survival. It is a conditioned response that makes us stronger, faster and more able to recover from physical damage. Cortisol is metabolized by exercise, which is the key to why stress is a major issue now.

 Now we are in primarily sedentary environments where we do not have a way of metabolizing the cortisol and all the biochemical changes that it produces. If we have a close call while driving, we receive bad news over the phone or have conflict in the workplace, we are limited in our physical response. Therefore the stress chemicals continue to build up in the body without the benefit of being metabolized.

 Unfortunately, the presence of stress hormones for extended periods of time contributes to significant side effects such as weight gain, high blood pressure, emotional instability, tunnel vision, heart disease and many degenerative diseases. People are more likely to have accidents, conflicts and personal problems during times of high stress. Recent studies have found that the stress hormones actually cause aging on a cellular level.

To make the problem even worse, our bodies cannot evolve as quickly as our culture and environment are demanding and the end result is that the increase in stress is outpacing our ability to adapt. With computers, more driving, cell phones and constant pressure to perform, our lifestyles do not support getting the exercise and relaxation needed to metabolize the hormones. Added to this is the stress of pollution, processed foods, noise and increased awareness of bad news through the ever-present media.

The Challenge

Many people have attempted to manage stress through self-medication with drugs and alcohol which is an additional stressor. Traditionally the medical community has approached the symptoms and diseases caused by stress through medications as well but this also  is a source of stress.

There is no reason to believe that the levels of stress will reverse and diminish. There is nothing moving us towards being less sedentary or reducing the levels of stress. The pattern of change indicates that it will only become worse and the pace of change will be even faster every new technology that is developed.

The Solution

Exercise, diet, managing your environment and various forms of life style adjustments are helpful. However, it takes time and energy and sometime the effort of trying to modify your lifestyle creates even more stress. As a culture we are looking for more efficient ways.

Top performers in life find that therapeutic bodywork is the shortcut that helps them manages their stress, adapt to change and improve their performance. From the presidents of the country and business to athletes and performers, massage and other forms of bodywork are a standard part of their personal management strategy. Why? Because it works really well. 

Why does it Work

Depending on the type of bodywork there are different reasons it works. On a physical level massage helps improve circulation and stimulates the lymphatic system, which helps the immune system. On a psychological level a good practitioner will teach you to respond to pressure by breathing and relaxing, just the opposite of what leads to stress. The end result is a healthier body and a mind that is more relaxed and clear.

Other forms of bodywork like Polarity Therapy create a balanced flow of energy throughout the body, which includes the sublime energy body that extends out three to six feet from the core. The work is based on the combination of Ayurvedic (Ancient Indian principles), nuclear physics and traditional bodywork techniques. Polarity also includes energy exercises, an understanding of energetic nutrition and the energy of thoughts and beliefs. It is a powerful holistic approach that produces amazing results for people dealing with serious conditions to those looking for improved creativity and clarity.

Choosing a Therapist

There are literally hundreds of forms of bodywork available to choose from and every practitioner is unique. Therefore the process of finding what works best for you is a journey that should include trying several different modalities and multiple therapists. When you find the right person and type of work for you it is very clear.

Maine is blessed with a wonderful selection of very dedicated therapists to choose from. However, it is very important to recognize that there is a wide range in the skill levels of various practitioners based on where they learned the work and their dedication to becoming an outstanding professional. When seeking a practitioner it is a good idea to interview them first. Ask where they went to school, if the school is focused specifically on training professional body workers and what types of bodywork they use. You may also want to find out if they specialize in any specific conditions or if they do deep tissue work or energy work.

If you feel comfortable with the person in the initial interview, the next step is wonderful. Get a session and see how it works for you. If it is a great session and you work well with the practitioner, that is great. However, if you come away feeling less than wonderful, keep looking. A practitioner who is properly trained recognizes that successful bodywork is a partnership between the therapist and client and that the chemistry and the modality need to be a perfect match to be the most effective. A true professional will help you evaluate the results of the session and will never be attached to “hanging on to you” if the results were not satisfactory. You are empowered to continue your search until you find the perfect match. Or what many experienced clients do is have several people that they use for different situations. There is no disloyalty in doing this.

The next step is yours. There is no reason to suffer from stress. People that make bodywork a regular part of their life are more adaptable and live fuller and happier lives. They know they have no control over the source of stress; the stress will always be there. They also know that they do have control over how they manage the stress and to this end, they have become masters of their own reality.

Kris Stecker is the owner of Spa Tech Institute, a school that trains professional massage therapists, polarity therapists, holistic aestheticians and cosmetologists for careers in the therapeutic spa and salon industries. The school has locations in Portland and Westbrook, Maine as well as Ipswich, Westboro and Plymouth, Massachusetts.  

For more information go to www.spatech.edu