Stress, Illness, and Massage

Stress, Illness, and Massage

Everyone experiences stress; some of us cope a bit better with it than others. There are different types of stress—all of which carry physical and mental health risks. Stress can be one time occurrence or short term occurrence, or it can be an something that keeps happening over a long period of time.

Stress can come from:

  • Routine stress related to the pressures of work, school, family and other daily responsibilities
  • Stress brought about by a sudden negative change, such as losing a job, divorce, or illness
  • Traumatic stress experienced in an event like a major accident, war, assault, or a natural disaster where people may be in danger of being seriously hurt or killed.

If the stress response goes on for too long, such as when the source of stress is constant, or if the response continues after the danger has subsided health issues can occur. Chronic stress can cause your body’s can immune system to be suppressed, digestive, sleep, and reproductive systems, may stop functioning as well.

Different people may feel stress in different ways. For example, some people experience mainly digestive symptoms, while others may have headaches, sleeplessness, sadness, anger or irritability. People under chronic stress are prone to more frequent and severe viral infections, such as the flu or common cold.

Routine stress may be the hardest type of stress to notice at first. Because the source of stress tends to be more constant than in cases of acute or traumatic stress, the body gets no clear signal to return to normal functioning. Over time, continued strain on your body from routine stress may contribute to serious health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other illnesses, as well as mental disorders like depression or anxiety. 

Massage therapy may help with conditions that affect your state of mind, including stress, depression and anxiety. A massage helps you shift your thoughts away from everyday worries and allows your body and mind to relax.

Activation of the stress response causes muscles throughout the body to tense up; after the stressful event the muscles often relax again. However, if stress is constant, the muscles may remain in a slightly tensed state. This may lead to joint aches and pains, headaches, chronic back and neck pain and other symptoms. Massage can help relieve aches and pains, headaches, may help restore normal circulation, improve immune system activity and play a role in restoring normal digestive system function.

Massage is excellent options for relieving stress levels and can play a key role in maintaining good health. Now let’s take a minute to discuss why adding CBD to your next massage can help you double up on your stress relief.

First, I’d like to show you this interesting study:

In a 2011 study by Bergamaschi et al., 24 people with Social Anxiety Disorder were given a dose of CBD or a placebo before performing a public speaking test simulation. The patients that consumed CBD exhibited a reduction in cognitive impairment, anxiety, and discomfort during their speech when compared to those who took the placebo.

Can you think of anything more stressful than public speaking? I can’t!!  

Now the science says:

While CBD impacts the CB2 receptor and doesn’t have a binding affinity with the CB1 receptor, it inhibits the production of the FAAH enzyme which is responsible for breaking down anandamide, an endocannabinoid. As a result, CBD’s seemingly indirect impact on the endocannabinoid system improves our ability to cope with stress.

If you allow chronic stress to take hold for too long, it will eventually impact your physical and mental appearance. Prolonged exposure to stress will probably lead to depression. Chronic stress has a significant impact on our endocannabinoid system, and since CBD’s compounds impact the CB1 and CB2 receptors, it makes sense that the plant is a potential chronic stress buster.

Massage is great for stress reduction. CBD is great for stress reduction.  A massage given with CBD will leave you relaxed, relieved, and ready to take on your next stressful day.

1 Comment

  • by Jason Matsumoto Posted May 22, 2019 5:03 pm

    Good blog post. Very interesting.

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