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What is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a Psychological injury that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event. Leaving the body and mind in a disorder of mental and physical ailments.
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Effects of PTSD:
During a traumatic event, a million things happen in the body in an attempt at self-preservation. The "fight or flight" response is a name given to the instinctual bodily processes that spring into action during moments of extreme stress, fear or trauma.
A flood of adrenaline is released as well as Cortisol (Stress Hormone) from the Adrenal glands flooding the Neurological, Physiological, Psychological make up of the brain. The Nervous System dumps high amounts of hormones into the system, while the Amygdala and Hippocampus (parts of the brain responsible for nightmares, fear, emotion and stress) make up the Fight or Flight in the body, placing the body in an immense tense state. The Amygdala shrinks in size due to all of this flooding of releasing from our systems. This is called the "Freeze", your body and brain literally freeze from the fear of the traumatic event. Ultimately if not dealt with appropriately, all of this brings about muscle tension, indigestion, Anxiety, rapid heart beat, tight shoulders, back pains, Hypervigilence, Depression, other mental illnesses and ailments within the body, often times leading to reasons why one might commit suicide.
PTSD literally changes the brain and our emotional makeup. It's a natural response, but unless the after-effects are dealt with, the initial traumatic event can have a lasting effect.
Constant stress and exposure to traumatic events stays stuck in the body: cells, muscle fascia, jaw, neck, stomach, diaphragm, shoulders, face, nervous system, reproductive system, hormones and so on
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Treating PTSD
The generally accepted protocol for healing from trauma can include a combination of mental health support such as counseling, as well as prescription medications. However, research now shows us that statistics from the American Massage Therapy Association, PTSD can be healed and/or managed with holistic therapy, without the negative side effects from medications. (Please see links below and resources).
During a massage therapy session, the Massage Therapist addresses muscles, muscle groups, tendons, and soft tissues to loosen up tightness, work out knots and trigger points, and create more flexibility and movement for the client.
Even when a client is not experiencing effects of PTSD, kind human touch stimulates positive-feeling hormones in the body and starts the relaxation response. For a client with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, the long-held stress patterns can begin to dissolve.
Resources:
(Please click on each link)
Hippocampus
Amygdala
PTSD
Stress on the brain
Stress/Cortisol and the shrinking brain
Massage
Trauma/Stress is stored in the Gut
