Case Studies – Effects of Body Stress
We often take the body’s wisdom for granted, not giving any thought to how it performs its daily miracles. In order to understand the effects of body stress, it’s critical to appreciate that the body functions by sending and receiving complex information through the nervous system.
Many of the body’s nerves originate from the spinal cord (and exit via little holes in the spinal vertebra), so it’s logical that if there was tension in any area of the spine, causing compression – this could compromise the effectiveness of the nervous system’s communication.
When the point of stress overload is reached, the stress becomes “locked” into the body and manifests as sites of tension. The body adopts a protective mode of action by means of automatic reflexes, causing adjacent and overlying deep muscles to splint the area. This tension can cause compression on the spine, thus disrupting the nervous system.
In time when the body is required to take greater defensive action, stiffness may become noticeable, ultimately leading to postural distortion. It may also lead to loss of flexibility, pain or numbness. A person with body stress may also feel tense, tired, and lacking in energy and enthusiasm for life. Headaches, backache and indigestion may follow. It is also possible for the body stress to be present without the individual feeling any pain or stiffness the person may simply feel fatigued, or a loss of energy and vitality.
While the stress or tension remains stored in the body, the normal tone of the body is disturbed, causing a reduction in its general efficiency. As its defence mechanisms become weakened, the body becomes less and less able to deal with further stresses to which it is subjected daily. In this way the individual moves increasingly further away from the optimum state of health and may be more prone to illness and frequent infections.
