The Effects of Stress on Muscle Tissue & How Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) Can Help

Too much stress effects practically every aspect of health as stressful experiences leave the body in physical, mental, and emotional tension. Stress prepares the body for “fight or flight” (sympathetic nervous system) by tensing muscles and constricting blood vessels which is beneficial if facing an emergency…temporarily. A prolonged stress-response creates limited movement and poor circulation.  Thus, lowering the immune system, leaving us more susceptible to disease.

Muscle response
⬇️
️less elastic, less able to contract or stretch during movement
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️leads to overcompensation of surrounding structures
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Injury, pain, limited range of motion

How MLD & Diaphragmatic Breathing can Help

  • The gentle, repetitive movements have an instant calming effect on the mind and pain. Stimulating the parasympathetic relaxation response, inhibiting muscle tension and pain.
  • MLD gives your lymphatic system a tune up. The increase flow of lymphatic fluid can reinvigorate your immune system and sweep out harmful toxins.

The Role of Diaphragmatic Breathing

  • Process of taking deep breaths right into your abdomen.
  • Promotes the activation of the diaphragm; which causes a drop in heart rate and blood pressure. Also, activating the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest).
  • A decrease in neural stimulus to muscle tissue, causes a relaxation and release of the muscle tissue.
  • By practicing during times of stress/anxiety, we can decrease the stress response, limiting the effects on muscle tissues.

A few of the common healing responses you may experience shortly after a session:

  • Deep, more restful sleep
  • Decrease in swelling and headaches
  • Sinus/ear drainage
  • Thirst
  • Tiredness, wanting to nap
  • Body feels “light and fluffy”
  • Brain fog
  • Increase in sweating/urination/bowel movements
After multiple treatments:
  • Decrease in chronic pain/water retention/allergies/skin conditions/PMS symptoms
  • Increase in energy/metabolism
  • Improved range of motion/immune functionBook your treatment to give your system the care it deserves!

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