Massage Therapy And Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Many people experience stress and anxiety in their everyday lives. Anxiety is inherent to living and can be part of having a job and establishing relationships with other people. Worrying about getting a project done at work or having a fight with a spouse can provoke anxiety in many people. These events, however, can be emotionally strengthening at times; they can widen your comfort zone and help clear up misunderstandings with others.
For some individuals, however, anxiety is ongoing. The feelings of nervousness and stress wear them down rather than building them up. These individuals carry fear with them every day. Anxiety overtakes them, preventing some sufferers from performing daily activities. The Report of the Surgeon General on Mental Health states that 16% of adults between the ages of 18 and 54 suffer from various anxiety disorders for at least one year. Generalized anxiety disorder, with its hallmark symptom of persistent anxiety in everyday situations, is quite common among adult anxiety patients.
Generalized anxiety disorder can be attributed to many factors. Environmental factors can contribute to high levels of anxiety. Unusual amounts of emotional stress from situations like separations, conflict, financial difficulties, and lack of support networks can cause anxiety disorders. Similarly, people who have experienced trauma have a higher risk of anxiety-related health issues. Heredity can partially determine brain chemical balance, as well. Furthermore, certain personality types are more prone to heightened symptoms of stress than others.
Many anxiety sufferers experience worry, tension, fatigue, and the sense that they are constantly 'on edge.' Even a prolonged, perpetual need for stimulation - including strong urges for coffee, alcohol, money, or praise - can be symptomatic of an anxiety disorder. And, chemicals, caffeine, and excess work, ironically, can all exacerbate anxiety symptoms.
Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms can be reduced with massage therapy
If you, like many Americans, are a person with a job and meaningful relationships, you will likely never fully rid yourself of stress. Effective therapy will teach you how to manage those symptoms. You should choose the type of anti-anxiety treatment that is best suited to your income level, time constraints, and personality. Some people choose anti-anxiety medications. Others choose psychotherapy or counseling. Still others choose natural treatments such as herbal remedies or massage therapy.
Many anxiety patients turn to -- and have found relief in -- natural treatments. Holistic and homeopathic medication can alleviate the symptoms associated with generalized anxiety disorder. Such treatments heal the body as a whole, taking the balance of physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the human system into consideration. Holistic therapies aim to remove toxins that facilitate the negative effects of stress. Other individuals turn to massage therapy or acupuncture to relieve anxiety. Massage can help break down built up toxins or waste in muscles, and often has a calming effect on anxious patients.
Some individuals are leery of certain treatments. For example, anxious patients who are afraid of drug side effects might wish to avoid psychotropic medications. Other patients might be reluctant to be touched by a specialist, so they might shy away from massage therapy.
Perhaps you have wanted to try massage therapy to treat your anxiety symptoms, but are reluctant or scared. The following tips might help you to relax:
How can you use massage therapy to fully treat your symptoms?
-First, be assured that uncomfortable situations are exceptionally rare when it comes to how you are treated by a massage therapist. These people are professionals who attended school to learn how to give you the best possible holistic treatment. Besides, massage therapists rely on repeated customers and referrals to succeed. They want you to have a positive experience.
-You do not have to be nervous about your massage therapist seeing your body. You can get massages where you are full clothed, totally nude, or anywhere in between. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of undressing, a massage while fully clothed massage might help you ease into the idea. You will see that the benefits far outweigh any negative impressions you may have. You may even request a masseuse of the same or opposite sex to make you more comfortable.
-Try not to talk while you are recieving your massage. Sometimes when people get nervous, they have the habit of chattering, which ultimately makes them more anxious. Try clearing your mind instead. Let your brain and your mouth relax, and the rest of your body will follow suit. Try not to think about work or your family -- or anything else that might prevent the massage from having the best possible effect on you.
-Persistent pain or tension will be alleviated over time, so don't give up on massage if you don't see immediate results.
Massages will help relieve the tension associated with general anxiety disorder -- but all of your symptoms will not be cured after the first or even second massage. It is also unrealistic to avoid your feelings of anxiety. Denial will not help you to cope with the problem areas in your life. You must create a whole mind-and-body strategy for handling stress.
For some individuals, however, anxiety is ongoing. The feelings of nervousness and stress wear them down rather than building them up. These individuals carry fear with them every day. Anxiety overtakes them, preventing some sufferers from performing daily activities. The Report of the Surgeon General on Mental Health states that 16% of adults between the ages of 18 and 54 suffer from various anxiety disorders for at least one year. Generalized anxiety disorder, with its hallmark symptom of persistent anxiety in everyday situations, is quite common among adult anxiety patients.
Generalized anxiety disorder can be attributed to many factors. Environmental factors can contribute to high levels of anxiety. Unusual amounts of emotional stress from situations like separations, conflict, financial difficulties, and lack of support networks can cause anxiety disorders. Similarly, people who have experienced trauma have a higher risk of anxiety-related health issues. Heredity can partially determine brain chemical balance, as well. Furthermore, certain personality types are more prone to heightened symptoms of stress than others.
Many anxiety sufferers experience worry, tension, fatigue, and the sense that they are constantly 'on edge.' Even a prolonged, perpetual need for stimulation - including strong urges for coffee, alcohol, money, or praise - can be symptomatic of an anxiety disorder. And, chemicals, caffeine, and excess work, ironically, can all exacerbate anxiety symptoms.
Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms can be reduced with massage therapy
If you, like many Americans, are a person with a job and meaningful relationships, you will likely never fully rid yourself of stress. Effective therapy will teach you how to manage those symptoms. You should choose the type of anti-anxiety treatment that is best suited to your income level, time constraints, and personality. Some people choose anti-anxiety medications. Others choose psychotherapy or counseling. Still others choose natural treatments such as herbal remedies or massage therapy.
Many anxiety patients turn to -- and have found relief in -- natural treatments. Holistic and homeopathic medication can alleviate the symptoms associated with generalized anxiety disorder. Such treatments heal the body as a whole, taking the balance of physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the human system into consideration. Holistic therapies aim to remove toxins that facilitate the negative effects of stress. Other individuals turn to massage therapy or acupuncture to relieve anxiety. Massage can help break down built up toxins or waste in muscles, and often has a calming effect on anxious patients.
Some individuals are leery of certain treatments. For example, anxious patients who are afraid of drug side effects might wish to avoid psychotropic medications. Other patients might be reluctant to be touched by a specialist, so they might shy away from massage therapy.
Perhaps you have wanted to try massage therapy to treat your anxiety symptoms, but are reluctant or scared. The following tips might help you to relax:
How can you use massage therapy to fully treat your symptoms?
-First, be assured that uncomfortable situations are exceptionally rare when it comes to how you are treated by a massage therapist. These people are professionals who attended school to learn how to give you the best possible holistic treatment. Besides, massage therapists rely on repeated customers and referrals to succeed. They want you to have a positive experience.
-You do not have to be nervous about your massage therapist seeing your body. You can get massages where you are full clothed, totally nude, or anywhere in between. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of undressing, a massage while fully clothed massage might help you ease into the idea. You will see that the benefits far outweigh any negative impressions you may have. You may even request a masseuse of the same or opposite sex to make you more comfortable.
-Try not to talk while you are recieving your massage. Sometimes when people get nervous, they have the habit of chattering, which ultimately makes them more anxious. Try clearing your mind instead. Let your brain and your mouth relax, and the rest of your body will follow suit. Try not to think about work or your family -- or anything else that might prevent the massage from having the best possible effect on you.
-Persistent pain or tension will be alleviated over time, so don't give up on massage if you don't see immediate results.
Massages will help relieve the tension associated with general anxiety disorder -- but all of your symptoms will not be cured after the first or even second massage. It is also unrealistic to avoid your feelings of anxiety. Denial will not help you to cope with the problem areas in your life. You must create a whole mind-and-body strategy for handling stress.
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