How Stress is Recorded in the Body

How Stress is Recorded in the Body

This is a 2 part series since the topic is so extensive. This first part will discuss where and how stress is recorded in our body. The second part will address what preventative measures we can take to manage our stress levels. When we experience stress there will inevitably be a reaction in our body to the stress. The brain records any bodily pain and the emotion attached to it at the same time. Our conscience can record an event in 2/200th of a second. The brain passes on any excess stress/emotions to the organs for this is how our body unloads any excess psychological burden. Negative emotional shocks such as fear, tension, stress, and anger all transit through the brain. Since, the organs and brain share nerve centers and have hormonal connections, the organs become receptacles for our emotions. We don’t think of our organs as having a close connection to our brains or as potential receptacles for our emotions. However, if we look at the medical definition of emotion it is- an intense or painful psychological reaction that powerfully affects numerous organs.

 Also, if we think about some of our expressions we often say, it makes complete sense.

“Stop, your bellyaching”

“This gives me heartburn”

“I have a gut feeling”

Like a shock wave, stress resonates in different parts of our body. Everyone has an organ or body part that is their weak link and becomes the main target for their residue of stress. This is the organ that is most receptive and vulnerable to stress. The specific organ may be designated the weak link due to a genetic predisposition or to a certain lifestyle. Every organ has its own emotional specificity but it can’t claim sole dominion over a category of emotions.

Here are some examples

The liver is sensitive to everything pertaining to the unity of our being, to our deepest self.

The spleen and pancreas are particularly vulnerable during intense, intolerable emotional states that occur from external events such as accidental deaths or trauma.

The breasts in women tend to react to family problems and to a lack of stability and affection.

In men, the stomach tends to reflect their social life; it stores the tensions that arise from conflicts with others.

The lungs are where grief is stored.

What organ do you think is your weak link? What can you do to prevent any symptoms or disorders in your weak link? Please keep an eye out for the next blog that will discuss ways to proactively manage your stress levels. 

 

The Benefits of Cranial-Sacral Therapy: Does your child have any learning disorders, sensory integration issues or chronic ear infections?

Cranial-sacral therapy consists of very fine, gentle movements to the bones in the cranium (skull) and sacrum. There are 22 bones in the cranium. The cranial-sacral system is considered a system of its own in the body and also entails the delicate membranes surrounding the spinal cord and brain, the cranial bones, sacrum and the Cerebro-spinal fluid.  This system has an inherent rhythm and this rhythm is what produces the Cerebro-spinal Fluid (CSF) in the body. The CSF bathes the whole nervous system and provides nutrition to the nervous system. The CSF also clears out the toxins in the nervous system. A full, normal Cranial-sacral rhythm is critical for maintaining a healthy nervous system. The cranial-sacral system also strongly influences the immune system and the whole lymphatic system.

This system can be significantly impacted by trauma that can occur at childbirth from the use of forceps, suction or a very prolonged labor/delivery. The cranial bones can become compressed and/or out of balance from the compression forces exerted on them from these different measures. As a result, the compression forces can cause a myriad of nervous system disorders ranging from sensory integration issues, delayed motor skills, learning disorders or autism spectrum conditions.

The treatment soothes the nervous system by restoring the natural rhythm and releasing any tension in the membranes of the brain and spinal cord. The treatment also releases the charge from any trauma or prolonged episodes of stress. The brain is a receptacle for our everyday life stresses.  The brain and spinal cord are considered our bodies “mother board”. All communication flows through and from the brain and spinal cord and therefore its functioning affects the whole body. It would behoove us to have this system optimally operating.  Cranial-sacral therapy is also extremely helpful for diminishing symptoms of anxiety or depression.

Lastly, children with chronic ear infections can greatly benefit from having the temporal bones mobilized and re-aligned.  When these cranial bones are imbalanced the bones block the ear canals and as a result drainage can’t occur and this leads to chronic infections. 

Please consider this form of treatment for these following conditions. The results from just a few treatments can be extraordinary. Give your nervous system the opportunity to receive and fire clear signals and to enhance its ingenuity!!

·         Headaches and Migraine headaches

·         Chronic ear infections

·         Learning disorders

·         Sensory integration issues

·         Delayed motor skills

·         Anxiety/Depression

·         Trauma/prolonged periods of high stress

Is Your Body Out of Balance?

Does your body feel out of balance? Do you notice that you no longer have a “Pep” in your step? Do all your symptoms seem to be on one side of your body?

Our body is an intricate and precious machine that deserves to be honored. We need to pay attention to our body and listen to it's signals or it will breakdown. Just as we pay attention to the noises our car makes, we need to heed to the signals our body gives us. To honor our body, includes honoring our emotions. Choose to acknowledge your body’s signals and felt emotions instead of ignoring or repressing them. When we do choose to honor our body, we are choosing WELLNESS.  Otherwise, the repressed emotions and unheeded signals lead to compensations and further imbalances….. more severe health problems.

Just as our car needs a tune-up, so does your body. Re-calibration of your body can be performed with Integrative Manual Therapy. Integrative manual therapy re-balances all the different systems in your body. All the systems are integrated and need to be in balance in order to maintain Wellness. When all the different systems are in balance, and all the lines  of communication are open..... then all the systems can work synergistically.  As a result, we will experience more fluidity in our movements and more energy!

Do you crave feeling fluidity in your everyday movements and in your body? Do you dream about having more energy?  We do only get one body and your body’s harmony is very fragile. Honor your body and seek a tune-up!

How Foods Affect Our Physiology

I foremost am a Physical Therapist, but I do try to eat healthy and have learned a lot about nutrition from my own health odyssey and from my patients over the years since it does affect our health and physiology. Why would we not want to feel the best we can as often as possible? Also, why would we not want our kids to feel the best they can so they optimize their learning and growth? In general, our bodies function best with a diet of whole, natural foods.  Here are some sound facts about the different food groups and I have broken them down into high nutrient density/ /low inflammatory foods and low nutrient density/ inflammatory foods

High nutrient density/low inflammatory foods

Leafy green vegetables are low in calories and rich in minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals. They reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease. They create a more healthy gut environment by attracting the good bacteria creating more nutrients. Fiber from vegetables provide a way for toxins and other waste material to exit your body since the toxins bind to the fiber instead of recirculating back into your system.

Essential Fatty Acids are crucial to a well-functioning brain and to growth and development.  They improve concentration and provide fuel throughout the day. Omega 3 oils are not consumed as frequently as Omega 6 oils and these are really essential to get into our diet from cold-water fish (salmon, tuna) avocados, nuts, chia and flax seeds and olive, coconut, and cod liver oil.  The nervous system is made up largely of fat and we need to nourish it. Also, we need fatty acids to maintain hydration and prevent brittle nails, dry skin and hair loss.

Proteins Improve our concentration levels as well and increase our dopamine levels (regulates happiness) and increase our neurotransmitter levels.  (these help brain cells talk to each other) They also increase our endurance by slowing muscle breakdown during exercise. Good sources are organic meat and/or grass-fed meat, fish, beans, lentils, yogurt, seeds, nuts and nut butters.

Fiber eating more fiber slows down absorption of sugar into the blood stream, making it less likely to be turned into fat. Fiber reduces the risk of cancer.  Good sources of fiber are fruits (prunes, pears, mangos, berries, apples) and pumpkin, nuts and seeds, split peas, beans (kidney, navy, black, pinto and lentils) and vegetables.

Low Nutrient/ Inflammatory Foods

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, oats and rye. It is difficult for our gut to process gluten and it causes inflammation of the gut which makes is hard to absorb nutrients. Poor absorption leads to malnutrition or “over-eating”. There are many terrific gluten-free foods and flours that are rich in protein and low-carb such as almond flour, coconut flour, almond meal and arrowroot powder.

Sugar has no nutrient value whatsoever. Large swings in our blood sugar levels can in the short-term impact our energy levels and ability to focus. Long term leads to inflammation, diabetes and dementia. Processed sugar is a neuro-toxin. (Poisonous to the nervous system) Any condition with neurological symptoms like tremors, decreased balance or brain dysfunction will be adversely affected by processed sugars or artificial sweeteners. Sugar also damages our skin by decreasing collagen.  Great alternatives that contain vitamins, minerals and are anti-oxidants are: coconut palm sugar, honey, maple syrup and stevia.

The old adage “we are what we eat” definitely holds true and I challenge you to eat what you want to become!