Mechanical and Emotional Aspects of Tension
(adapted from lecture notes for Massage Therapy students) Contractibility is one of the natural functions of muscle tissue. Individual muscle fibres are designed to contract, causing the entire muscle to tense. Without this tension there could be no activity, no movement of the joints and limbs. The problem arises when the muscle fibres fail to relax again, resulting in a pattern of excess tension. This tension pattern may have either an emotional origin or a mechanical one or a combination of both. Also it may be acute or chronic. Acute, mechanical tension can usually be dealt with immediately by direct application of massage. If there is an emotional aspect to it as well it can often be dealt with as a direct result of touch on the affected area, though it may require at least a verbal acknowledgement of the relevant emotion to transform the mind state and effect a cure. Chronic tension is a little harder to deal with. For a start there is almost always a deeply set emotional state tied up with the whole pattern which would require specific attention. It is important to stress here that you are not expected to have the skills of a trained psychologist; however, as a massage therapist, you must at least be aware of the emotional correspondences to physical pain and be prepared to offer some empathy and encouragement. The mind will always be affected by treating the body; the body and the mind are one thing. So if you give a careful, nurturing massage with a feeling of support, this will often be enough to assist your partner to integrate and resolve their emotions. As well as the emotional aspects, chronic tension patterns have distinctive physical characteristics. There will be a build up of hard tissue, fibrosis, and a great deal of adhesion between the layers of connective tissues, both of which must be mechanically broken down and the muscle tissue coaxed back into its natural shape. In many cases the nerves will be dulled and the patient may experience increasing pain during the first few treatments before the tension pattern eases. In other cases the situation may be worsened by inflammation of the tissues, requiring much greater care in the application of massage. Chronic tension always requires a series of treatments to be adequately dispersed. It is important to find out the cause of any excess tension pattern so as to have as full an understanding as possible and thereby maximise the chances of a successful result. The major mechanical causes of tension are poor body use, injuries, and misalignment of joints. Poor body use covers a wide range of situations. One of the commonest is a general lack of mobility and exercise. Sitting at a desk all day long or driving a car is barely enough activity to maintain a minimal peripheral blood flow. People who get little or no exercise will always be subject to poor circulation, low energy and inadequate immune response. Bodies require exercise as much as they require food in order to maintain good muscle tone and circulation of the fluids. The heart and lungs ought to be exercised rigorously at least three times a week to optimise the fitness and well being of the individual. Energy needs to be used in order to be replenished. Other examples of poor body use include slouching in chairs (if it is a chronic habit and not balanced with compensating exercise), overuse of one side of the body (habitual carrying of heavy weights in the same hand; playing tennis, etc.) and bending the back to lift heavy loads rather than bending from the hips. Lifestyle habits can be a major contributing cause of tension, high healed shoes and tight clothing are obvious examples. In the search for fitness people will often over-exercise, putting undue stresses on their joints and limbs.
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