Pain and stress relief by touch therapies

A great many illnesses are a result of the stresses and strains of daily life. Touch therapies such as Reflexology and Massage have been used for centuries to help soothe tension and relax the mind and body.
Massage or stroking triggers the release of endorphins, the body's own painkillers which also induce a feeling of comfort and well-being.
When people feel pleasure they focus on the present moment rather than staying involved with their worries and preoccupations.

Stress

A stressor is the body's 'fight or flight response' to an emergency. It was needed in primitive times for survival against danger and was designed for short bursts of activity.
The strain of being in a constant state of alert, without the release that physical activity brings, leads to problems such as back and neck pain, headaches, raised blood pressure, indigestion, sweating, palpitaions, irritability, insomnia, anxiety and depression.
The word stress comes from the Latin word 'stringere', which means 'to draw tight'. Constant stress causes the muscles to become tight resulting in pain.

Stress and pain relief

The skin is the body's largest sensory organ. Thousands of specialied receptors in the skin react to external stimuli by sending messages to the brain, this helps the brain to focus on the present moment rather than staying involved with worries. The pressure exerted on these numerous nerve endings can often cause the brain to have too many sensations to respond to which can help to enable the person receiving the treatment to relax. When the mind is relaxed the muscles of the body will become more relaxed, this helps to interrupt the stress and pain cycles.