 Nature's
Way
with Alan Hayes
Rid Yourself of Stress
All of us at some time suffer from sore, tight and aching muscles. Often this problem is the result of prolonged stress, caused by intense physical or emotional tension over time. Muscles are worked beyond their limits, resulting in a lack of electrolytes in the blood.
This type of stress, which is usually manifested in our necks, can be caused by emotional problems at work or home. The inability to be able to express our emotional state results in tight or stressed muscles, also known as spasmed muscles. The neck muscles are more often than not the muscles where this stress is felt.
Over a prolonged period stress of this nature restricts blood supply to the muscle, which then becomes so starved of nutrients and oxygen that it is unable to return to its former relaxed state. At this stage the spasm is chronic and becomes painful. If this condition persists, it will cause further emotional stress, intensifying the pain and discomfort, until the spasm is relieved.
Spasmed muscles are sometimes not painful to begin with, but are noticed as the inability increases to move the neck or a limb through its full range of movement.
Stiffness of the neck is not just a physical condition, but is also reflected in mental inflexibility. It is difficult to think creatively and be able to consider someone else's point of view objectively. A stiff and inflexible neck leads to stiff and inflexible thinking.
The muscle most often spasmed in the neck is the trapezius; that large muscle on top of the shoulder stretching from the base of the neck out to the arm socket. However, a good massage will quickly relieve stressed neck muscles.
You can use a simple self-massage technique to alleviate this problem. The most suitable time to carry out the massage is just after a warm shower or bath, or at work while you having a break, or whenever you need to alleviate tension and stress.
To alleviate built-up tension, place your opposite hand on the top of the trapezius muscle, with your fingers resting on the top of your back and your thumb resting just under your collar bone. Knead the tissue gently by working the fingers together in a circular motion from your shoulder, along the trapezius, to the base of the skull. The thumb supports the hand from the front while the fingers do the work.
To relieve tight and spasmed muscles due to sporting activities, massage well with a mixture of equal parts of rosemary essential oil and linseed oil.
A herbal tea of one teaspoon of powdered cinnamon, half a teaspoon of powdered cardamon and a quarter of a teaspoon of powdered nutmeg will also help to ease muscular cramp. To make your tea, add all the ingredients to a ceramic cup, fill the cup with boiling water, stir until thoroughly mixed, cover, and infuse for five minutes. Sip the tea while it is still warm.
If you engage in strenuous activities, such as sport, you can help to prevent tight and spasmed muscles, help to loosen them and get them ready to go, by using the following natural liniment. Mix eucalyptus or rosemary oil with almond oil, ensuring that it remains strongly scented, and massage into muscles until you feel a warm glow.
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