Is stress taking a physical toll on your body?

Are you struggling with headaches? 

Finding that your wheat bag is a firm favourite in the evenings to ease your aching shoulders or back? Or are you clenching your jaw? Getting up all the time to pass urine or struggling with constipation?

All of the above are signs that the body may be stuck in a perpetual state of stress.

We are living in stressful times and many are facing work, economic and social pressures not to mention spending hours on Zoom meetings and online platforms in poor postures.

As a physiotherapist I have noticed an increase in patients with neck pain, headaches, jaw pain and pelvic pain all of which can be driven by the stress of our current environment.

If you struggle with these symptoms it may be a physical manifestation of a body stuck in “Fight /Flight” response.

The Fight/ Flight response refers to a physiological reaction that occurs when we are in the presence of something harmful or potentially threatening.

This is a normal response to stress and causes the body to get ready to stand and deal with a threat or run away to safety.

This causes blood flow to increase to your muscles and they tighten up ready for action!

After the “fight” or the “flight” your body should go back to a relaxed state.

But when the “potential of harm” does not go away and we are unable to disconnect from our source of stress.

Often, we as physiotherapists see that if a patient is struggling to release and deal with their emotions they manifest in their body! It is the body’s way of getting our attention to slow down and manage our emotional and mental well-being.

The good news is we can actively help our bodies to move from a state of fight/flight to a state of rest and calm.

Here are a few ways to manage stress and take our bodies into a physiological state of calm:

· Low intensity exercise (such as stretching, Pilates, walking or Yoga).

· Deep breathing and relaxation exercises.

· Meditation (There are great apps available to assist; including Calm, Abide and Headspace)

· A relaxing bath

· Taking time out to do the things you love

· Getting out into nature

· Doing something creative

· Music

Do not neglect your body, seek help from a physiotherapist, massage therapist, psychologist or chiropractor.

Salt Rock resident Tarryn Graham has a BSc in Physiotherapy from Stellenbosch University, and has a special interest in and further training in women’s health physiotherapy.

She has 10 years’ experience in women’s health and pelvic floor physiotherapy.