Relaxation Techniques Can Reduce Pain and Inflammation because they can help lower muscle tension, pressure on the joints and reduce stress that causes inflammation. The main reason why relaxation therapy techniques are included in pain management programs.
Why A Relaxation Teacher And Therapist Can Help Clients Reduce Pain
A Qualified Relaxation Therapist can not only use their relaxation skills to help clients reduce their anxiety and stress levels. But the relaxation teacher or therapist will often help clients lower long-term chronic pain. The relaxation exercises used in relaxation therapy not only move the mind and body out of the physiological stress response into the relaxed response. But the right relaxation techniques can reduce pain by helping the body let go of old tension and physical trauma.
Why Relaxation Techniques Can Reduce Pain And Postural Problems
Relaxation Therapy involves a range of relaxation techniques designed to teach the body and mind how to let go of muscle tension, pain and inflammation. It encourages the body into a naturally relaxed state of being.
When we are in a state of chronic mental, emotional or physical stress we tend to tense a lot of muscle areas. This creates a lot of pain and then further tension within the body. When we already have a condition or injury that causes us chronic pain. We can too very easily get caught up in the chronic stress and chronic pain cycle. Whether we started with chronic stress or chronic pain, both can lead to more muscle tension and increased inflammation. Stress can cause pain and pain can cause stress. Pain and stress can also lead to poor posture, which puts more strain on the body.
Poor posture pushes us to overwork specific muscles, especially those muscles in the neck and back. The physical strain on these muscles increases inflammation which can then lead to other issues such as joint issues, arthritis. That is why we teach our relaxation teachers and therapists different relaxation techniques including one used mainly by with physiotherapists.
Why Chronic Stress Can Lead To Cortisol Dysfunction
Another problem with chronic stress and pain is cortisol. Cortisol is a natural anti-inflammatory hormone that kicks in during the stress response. But when someone suffers long periods of chronic stress or chronic pain and struggles to relax. The body struggles to rest or repair itself, this, in turn, creates cortisol dysfunction and increased inflammation. That is why stress management should be part of any pain management program.
Common Pain Management Techniques
Common techniques used in pain management are muscle relaxation techniques including body scans. Muscle relaxation techniques directly reduce muscle tension and soreness in the muscles. That is why relaxation techniques help reduce the pain in fibromyalgia if used correctly. Body scanning helps you be more body aware, helping you be aware of poor posture or poor breathing. Which if not corrected can lead to further anxiety, stress, inflammation, and sleep disorders.
The Effective Use Of Breathing Techniques With Postural Challenges
Simple breathing techniques when used correctly with other techniques such as muscle relaxation techniques can help reduce poor postural chest breathing. Especially in those with conditions such as asthma and COPD who can find breathing painful at times. Anger, anxiety or stress combined with chest breathing is a major cause of hyperventilation. Where one tends to breathe very fast in the upper chest area. Rather than a full healthy deep breath. But sadly I see a general overuse of many breathing techniques in anxiety and stress management that can actually exacerbate client’s problems. Breathing techniques have to be part of a carefully constructed treatment plan, taught only by a suitably qualified therapist.
Relaxation Therapy As An Effective Pain Reduction Tool
We know that chronic stress is one cause of chronic pain, so is poor posture. We know that long-term pain can get stressed because of their pain. That is why relaxation therapy is a very valuable tool in not just stress management but pain management and sleep therapy.
And why there is an increased need for more qualified Relaxation Therapists & Relaxation Teachers
