The Incredible Bio-Mechanical Machine
Wouldn’t it be nice if our bodies came with a dial that we could just turn down (or even off) whenever we felt our stress levels rising?
Well actually, it does… on a normal day.??
On a normal day, our nervous system cycles through what is called the short-term stress response pretty regularly. When it senses anything that requires immediate action, it releases hormones that provide a burst of energy, enabling us to do what is necessary to meet that challenge. Afterward, the body returns to homeostasis (a stable equilibrium). It’s like an automatic internal dial that turns itself up and down naturally without us even having to think about it.??
Usually, these “challenges” are not that serious or long-lasting. You might have a research paper due in less than 24 hours or a job interview in less than 20 minutes.? Or your partner may have left their dirty socks on the bathroom floor for the umpteenth time.? But most of these stressors are usually either short-lived or not that big a deal. Your mind and body work together seamlessly to bring you back to homeostasis.?
But those “normal days” seem to have taken a prolonged sabbatical since the pandemic began in March 2020. The cumulative effect of long-term stress is beginning to hijack our sympathetic nervous systems, putting us in a permanent state of acute stress (i.e. the “fight or flight” response).? As a result, the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the relaxation state (i.e. the “rest and digest” response), isn’t able to take over as it normally does.??
That’s because our internal dial is stuck in overdrive.? As a result, our mind and body are physiologically unable to wind down and return to the relaxation state.??
Nervous System Dysregulation
This is termed nervous system dysregulation and I’m witnessing it increasingly in my massage therapy practice.??
Symptoms of nervous system dysregulation are experienced on the physical, mental, emotional, and the energetic level, and include:?
In addition, if a person has pre-existing conditions such as chronic pain, PTSD, ADHD, addiction, and others, the symptoms of nervous system dysregulation can become exacerbated.?
Nervous System Reset with Acupressure and Sound Healing
My new treatment, Nervous System Reset, incorporates pressure point therapy (i.e. acupressure) with sound therapy to unwind the body's physical, mental, emotional, and energetic layers to return to homeostasis.?
Like acupuncture, acupressure stimulates specific acupoints along the body’s biological pathways to balance the flow of energy, but instead of needles, the practitioner uses her fingers, thumbs, and elbows.??
Certain acupoints are directly linked to the parasympathetic system, and when stimulated, they can reactivate the relaxation response, allowing the mind and body to re-regulate itself and return to homeostasis.??
Sound therapy as a healing practice dates back to ancient Tibetan and Himalayan cultures where singing bowls were used in spiritual healing ceremonies.? In the Western world, sound therapy was used as far back as the 1940s to treat WWII soldiers.??
领英推荐
The effect of music on brain wave patterns has been well-documented.? In fact, when the brain is exposed to specific sound frequencies, it becomes synchronized in a process called brainwave entrainment.? These frequencies induce the theta brainwave state which is the frequency most beneficial for healing the body.
Nervous System Reset benefits:
What To Expect
Nervous System Reset is what we call a “dry” treatment; that is, the client is fully clothed and the practitioner does not use oils or creams during the session (except on the feet).? In addition to pressing specific acupoints connected to the parasympathetic nervous system, this technique includes slow compression and kneading of major muscle groups, gentle rocking, slow mobilization and cradling of the joints, and aromatherapy (optional).??
As many of you already know, my massage space has a very peaceful atmosphere, and because of the vaulted ceiling, really nice acoustics.? The effect is very nurturing and conducive to deep relaxation.? I will have different sound therapy recordings available based on the client’s preference, including solfeggio frequencies, Tibetan singing bowls, deep relaxation, ocean waves, singing bowl sound baths, and others. Check out my website (soon) for a full list.? If your optimum sound therapy is not offered, please let me know beforehand and I will find a recording of your preference.
Sources:
Dhabhar, Firdaus S. “The Short-term Stress Response -? Mother Nature’s Mechanism for Enhancing Protection and Performance Under Conditions of Threat, Challenge, and Opportunity.” HHS Public Access Author Manuscript. PubMed Central - National Library of Medicine. April 1, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5964013/?
McEwen, Bruce S. “Neurobiological and Systemic Effects of Chronic Stress.” Chronic Stress (Thousand Oaks). PubMed Central - National Library of Medicine.April 10, 2017.
Goldberger, Jeffery J. Arora, Rishi. Buckley, Una. Shivkumar, Kalyanam. “Autonomic Nervous Dysfunction.” HHS Public Access Author Manuscript. PubMed Central - National Library of Medicine. March 19, 2019.?
Longhurst, John C. “Defining Meridians: A Modern Basis of Understanding.” Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies - ScienceDirect. Volume 3, Issue 2, June 2010. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2005290110600143
Li, Qian-Qian. Shi, Guang-Xia. Xu, Qiang. Wang, Jing. Liu, Cun-Zhi. Wang, Lin-Pen. “Acupuncture Effect and Central Autonomic Regulation.” Hindawi. PubMed Central - National Library of Medicine. May 26, 2013.?
Kucikiene, Domante. Proninskiene, Ruta. “The Impact of Music on the Biological Oscillations of the Brain.” Acta Medica Lituanica. PubMed Central - National Library of Medicine. 2018. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6130927/
Tang, Yi Yuan. Tang, Rongxiang. Rothbart, Mary K., Posner, Michael I. “Frontal theta activity and white matter plasticity following mindfulness meditation.” HHS Public Access Author Manuscript. PubMed Central - National Library of Medicine. August 28, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6778007/