Understanding the effects of tension

A certain amount of tension is necessary to stimulate the body and motivate one to change a situation or strive to reach one's potential.

However, when everyday stress accumulates and becomes trapped in the body it becomes adverse tension. This type of stress reduces one's ability to recover from emotional and physical overload. Our neural balance is constantly disturbed by the need to adapt to ever-changing internal and external forces in the environment. Further stress is added by adverse physical, mental, emotional, chemical and genetic tension.

 

The different types of tension

Physical tension manifests in a variety of ways:

• bad posture
• sitting in front of a computer or TV
• lack of exercise
• incorrect exercise
• disturbed sleeping patterns
• lack of rest
• overwork
• trauma caused by incidents such as falls, car accidents or lifting heavy objects or weights

 

Mental and emotional tension manifests in the body in different ways. Warning signs often appear in a tightening of the muscles in the jaw, neck, shoulders and the diaphragm. The body is unconsciously trying to create a body armour to protect one from the impact of daily stress. This physical discomfort can lead to negative emotions and creates a vicious cycle that repeats itself if intervention does not occur.

Mental and emotional tension is often caused by:

• financial problems
• family
• work issues
• panic attacks
• depression
• shock and trauma
• anger

Emotions can play havoc with the spine. It is both useful and interesting to reflect on what has been happening emotionally in one's life when one puts one's back out. Worry creates a build-up of adverse tension that strains the motor nervous system. This causes stiff over-strained muscles, resulting in pain.

Emotional stress can cause the autonomic nervous system to malfunction. One feels 'tied up in knots', which can lead to immune, circulatory, hormonal and digestive problems.

 

Chemical tension is caused by exposure to toxins in the environment. This can result in a severely upset nervous system and a  tightening of neck muscles. Chemical tension includes:

• car fumes, insecticides and other substances that are inhaled
• household chemicals and cosmetics absorbed through the skin
• food additives, for example MSG
• dental work, for example mercury fillings
• too much sugar

These factors combined with a poor diet compounded by fast foods, fats, salt and alcohol as well as the insufficient intake of fresh green vegetables, fruit and high quality protein, can cause a deterioration of health and weaken the body's defences.

 

Chronic genetic  problems create a tension that results in issues such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and  heart attacks.