What is the role of stress management at the osteopathic health centre?
We recognise how stressful life has become. The fast pace of life, with increased pressure from demands at work gives rise to stress at many different levels.
When you enter the Osteopathic Health Centre, the atmosphere with the relaxing music, and gentle herbal incense is soothing. Comfortably seated in the waiting area, sipping herbal tea, is often the time when a patient will begin to relax. We believe that the natural healing process is facilitated by this relaxation.
Many problems in the musculo-skeletal system arise from the high levels of stress that we encounter on a daily basis. It can manifest as tight, tense and aching muscles or in extreme cases as muscle spasm. If stress is not dealt with effectively and regularly, it can give rise to any of the following symptoms.
Physical:
- Muscular tension in the neck and shoulders
- Lower back pain
- Exhaustion
- High blood pressure
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Shallow and rapid breathing
- Palpitations
- Stomach ulcers
- Depressed immune system (frequent colds etc.)
Emotional and psychological:
- Irritability
- Moodiness
- Emotional turmoil
- Anxiety
- Worry
- Confusion
- Lack of focus
A physician, or an osteopath (as the need may be) will help you with the physical manifestations of stress. However in order to prevent the symptoms from recurring, it would be beneficial to learn a simple technique for stress management.
What is the relaxation technique?
There are many techniques to release stress from the body/mind. At the Osteopathic Health Centre, we focus on the physical release of tension and stress in the muscles of the body. This is achieved by a combination of awareness exercises, muscle contraction and release exercises, stretching and deep breathing instruction. With most people who are experiencing stress, the breathing pattern tends to be shallow and rapid as opposed to deep breathing. With simple yet specific instructions, we encourage individuals to breathe differently, and in doing so to notice the slowing down of their heart rate.
There are three stages to the relaxation technique that we teach at the Osteopathic Health Centre.
Stage 1
During this stage we help the individual to release the physical manifestations of stress, such as muscular tension, joint restriction, fatigue and shallow, rapid breathing.
This is achieved by a series of movements that are designed to stretch out tense muscles, mobilise and ease tension from the joints. The spine is eased gently, through its full range of movement releasing accumulated tension.
When Stage 1 is complete physical relaxation is experienced.
Stage 2
Now that the musculo-skeletal system is relaxed, we focus on the breathing patterns. Imagery is used to help diaphragmatic breathing. This deep breathing replaces the shallow and rapid breathing that is so typical of the stress pattern.
At the end of Stage 2 the patient achieves an even deeper level of relaxation.
Stage 3
At this stage we address the mind, and the thoughts that create stress. It is well recognised that tension in the mind manifests as physical tension in the body. Learning to “slip into the moment” beyond thought is a valuable skill, and once learned can be used in any situation to switch off negative and destructive thought patterns that create so much stress.
Perfecting this stage will have the effect of relaxing your mind, and leaving you feeling calm and peaceful within yourself. You will notice the additional benefits of improved concentration and increased focus and clarity of mind.
These principles guide our practice in the relaxation and meditation group.
Dealing with psychological issues
In the event that unresolved psychological issues are causing stress, we recommend counselling, and we have a list of recommended counsellors and psychiatrists to give to people who need it.