What Stress feels like
Stress feels like you have been in a competitive push-up contest all day. It feels like you have been walking through cold wind and rain, curling into yourself to keep warm. Stress feels like your central nervous system is in hyper-drive causing: burnout, injury, chronic pain, headaches, back pain, TMJ, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, heart attacks, digestive and sleep problems. When I feel high levels of stress in a person, I know making their pain go away is only the tip of the iceberg.
Stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol make the heart work harder, as muscles tighten, blood pressure rises and your breathing rate increases. Some of the physical problems listed above are also accompanied by emotional problems, such as: depression, anxiety, low sex drive, memory and concentration problems and mood swings.
Massage is a great way to help combat stress, but it would be good to come up with ways to manage your stress, giving yourself a fighting chance. Many of the articles I read, suggested developing some level of spirituality, getting enough sleep, eating nutritious food, getting physical activity, connecting with people, serving, reducing sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and drugs, managing your time, and finding fun and relaxing things to counter the stress.
BREATHE. There are many apps and lots of information on meditative, or breathing patterns that help to control and lower the hyper-drive of the central nervous system.
See, hear, touch, taste, smell. Ground yourself in the moment if it seems to be getting away from you. Life is a special occasion. Live and move optimally.
*If you are looking for a physical therapist, I highly recommend Luke Hartmann, he is excessively knowledgeable. (stayunbroken.com)