Tension, Stress and Blood Pressure Problems

The neurological and chemical responses of our bodies to the various situations we meet evolved when our ancestors faced very different problems from us. Thus our reaction to a problem is the same as for danger in past times, these powerful changes (to hormone levels, blood pressure, blood site distribution, muscular resting tension, suspension of some bodily functions, & even pupil dilation), cause no harm if only temporary. However modern situations tend to be extrapolated by comparison, and the physiological reaction causes us damage over this longer period.

How Can This Be Tackled? :

1) Avoid where possible all problems in life! (Particularly elongated ones over which you have no control). With the obviously limited practicality of this the following options become important.

2) Learn an improved level of controlled response over ones' own physiological response to stress (akin to conscious control of ones' own heartbeat).

3) Dissipate the stress by:

a. Physical exertion (as our ancestors would have), For example twice-weekly exercise, followed by a bath, & flopping into bed afterwards is effective in the relief of stress.

b. Treatment.

Osteopathy has shown positive benefits in numerous controlled trials of its treatment of stress. As early as 1966 Drs. Greenspan & Melchior found in controlled blind trials improved growth and healing rates in rats & apes subjected to physical stress (cold & hunger), and psychic stress (overcrowding & constant translocation) when general osteopathic treatment was applied. [courtesy of The Journal of The American Osteopathic Association, July 1966]. Osteopathic health maintenance treatment can raise general health and the resistance to disease by ensuring that all areas of the body have a normal blood supply and nerve supply - the two essential components that all tissues need to stay alive. Because the nerve supply to the entire body emanates from the spine this is the first place to look to ensure all nerve roots are functioning freely, then there are other sites around the body the Osteopath would check. Circulation can be interfered with at various sites around the body and an Osteopath will check and gently free these as necessary.

Cranial Osteopathy is a particularly gentle form of osteopathic treatment that can be very beneficial in the treatment of stress related disorders as well as for children and babies.

Hypnosis and Counselling Treatment for Stress; a combination of one or both of these therapies, used appropriately, can ease all obvious, or underlying causes of stress and tension by removing locked in psychological causes.

Acupuncture treatment for stress has a long track record of successfully treating stress and minor psychological disorders and has accredited research demonstrating it's efficiency in controlling raised blood pressure. Acupuncture can rebalance the hormones and internal chemistry of the body which in the case of stress means it can correctly adjust the adrenaline/histamine/cortisol cycles amongst others which become imbalanced.

Massage treatment for stress; massage has accredited research in reducing stress measured by hormonal and blood pressure changes in ways acknowledged as indicating lower stress. Regular massage of different styles are available from deep "sports" to the lighter Aromatherapy styles.

Consultation: appointment by telephone 01293 784200