Indian Head Massage: Discover the power of touch. Narendra Mehta

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       WHAT CAUSES STRESS?

      So, if stress can be good for us, when do stress levels become harmful? The factors that seem to make any situation dangerously stressful are:

      • Lack of predictability

      • Lack of control

      • Lack of outlets for frustration

      When these elements are present, even innocuous situations can become stressful and produce a reaction that is completely out of proportion to the cause. It comes down to the fact that it’s not the situation but our reaction to it that creates the stress in our lives. Our fears and anxieties about past events repeating themselves add to the vicious circle, and the uncertainties of life crowd our mind with frightening possibilities.

      CASE HISTORY

      Age: 37

      Sex: Male

      Profession: Small business owner

      • Symptoms: Carlos came to my clinic suffering from upper back pain. He was anxious and depressed – chiefly because of the constant pain. When Carlos was thirteen, he had had a bad riding accident. Stress and the pressure of running a small business had exacerbated his back problem.

      • After the first treatment: He felt a little dizzy (this is normal) but very mellow. His upper back was still aching. I advised him that, for something to get better, there often has to be a period of transition when the pain almost seems worse. However, the following day Carlos noticed a considerable decrease in the pain.

      • After subsequent treatments: He felt spaced out, but in a nice way. His back problem was no longer a cause for concern because he no longer suffered from pain.

      • Further recommendations: To attend my clinic once a fortnight for a month, then once a month for a further three months.

      As human beings we have a tendency to focus on the past and the future and withdraw our attention from the present moment. Yet it is in the present moment that we have the greatest clarity to deal with any situation. Life is a journey and enjoying it can replace the holding back and the holding on which in turn create fear and ultimately stress. Struggle begins almost at birth and we must not forget that positive lessons can be learned through adversity. If you or I truly knew what stretched out before us there would be no growth.

      Growth is usually preceded by change. However, handling change can be difficult in the short term and the following life-changing events have been identified as the most likely to cause negative or harmful stress:

      • Bereavement

      • Moving house

      • Debt

      • Ill health

      • Difficult relationships

      • Stressful work

      • Family problems

      Even positive events, such as a marriage, pregnancy or a child starting school or university may cause you stress, and may ultimately lead to illness. In war, which is a state of extremely heightened and continual stress, front-line soldiers will eventually go into shell shock or battle fatigue if kept under fire for too long, and the same is true of our daily struggles. But remember that your personality and coping-mechanisms will largely determine how you deal with these daily stresses and strains. Now you have a very important ally in the battle against stress: Indian head massage!