The body is a fantastic machine that is constantly working to keep us alive and functioning. However, it is also constantly bombarded with stressors that can lead to tension and pain.
Stress tension can build up in any part of the body, but some areas are more prone to it than others.
Here are the top 6 body parts that hold the most stress tension:
Upper Body
The upper body includes the shoulders, neck, and head. These areas are particularly susceptible to stress tension because they are constantly in use.
Head
When you experience stress tension in the head, you’ll most likely get a tension-type headache. A tension-type headache is the most common type of headache. The pain is usually mild to moderate and feels like a band of tightness around your head. There are two types of tension-type headaches: episodic and chronic.
Episodic tension-type headaches last from 30 minutes to a week and occur less than 15 days a month. Chronic tension-type headaches last for hours and occur more than 15 days a month. Massage therapy for head and migraine pain can help relieve the symptoms of tension-type headaches by reducing stress levels.
Neck and Shoulders
There are many reasons why your neck and shoulders might feel tense. Maybe you slept in an awkward position, or you’ve been sitting at a desk all day. Maybe you’re holding in a lot of stress and tension.
Massage can help to relieve this tension by increasing blood flow and relaxing the muscles.
Mid Body
Your mid-body is the foundation of your overall posture and includes your back and abdomen.
Back
Back pain is a common problem that can be caused by a number of different things. Poor posture, muscle strain, and arthritis are all possible causes of back pain. Massage can help to ease back pain by increasing blood flow and relaxing the muscles.
If you’re experiencing stress-related back pain, massage can also help to reduce stress and tension.
Abdomen
When you experience stress or anxiety, it can often manifest in physical symptoms like a tight or “nervous” stomach. This is because when you are anxious or stressed, your body goes into “fight or flight” mode, which means that your sympathetic nervous system is activated. This causes a number of changes in your body, one of which is increased muscle tension.
To help ease the pain, you can engage in relaxing techniques such as a massage.
Lower Body
The lower body includes the hips, legs, and feet. These areas often carry a lot of stress because they support the body’s entire weight.
Hips
The hips are another common area where people tend to hold tension when they are stressed or anxious. This is because the hips are home to some of the largest muscles in the body, including the gluteus maximus (buttocks) and the iliopsoas (hip flexors). When these muscles are tight, it can cause a feeling of discomfort or pain in the hips.
You can alleviate the stress and pain through massage therapy to generate blood flow, loosen the hip tension, and relax your muscles.
Legs
The legs are used so much throughout the day and can be subject to a lot of wear and tear. If you are spending a lot of time in the gym or even standing up, you will probably experience tension in your legs. At times, it may feel stiff and even restless from long hours of strenuous exercise or lack of movement while standing up.
Massage therapy can help relieve tension in the legs by increasing blood flow and relaxing the muscles.
Feet
The feet are one of the most essential parts of the body, as they support the entire weight of the body and are used for walking, running, and other forms of exercise. When you experience stress, you may feel your feet cold or tingly. This is because your sympathetic nervous system is activated, which causes a decrease in blood flow to your extremities, leading to a feeling of coldness or numbness in your feet.
One of the best ways to increase blood flow is through massage therapy.
Conclusion
Many different parts of the body can hold stress and tension. Some of the most common areas include the head, neck, shoulders, back, hips, legs, and feet. If you are feeling stressed, it is important to take some time to relax and release the tension in these areas. You can do this through exercise, relaxation techniques, and massage.
MetaTouch offers alternative healing massage therapy that can help relieve stress and tension in the body. Massage therapy can help to improve circulation, increase flexibility, and release muscle tension. Let us help you find the relief you need! Schedule an appointment today!
