The pain we are discussing is caused by the physical reaction of the muscle contracting and becoming tense due to stress and it is physical treatment that is necessary to relieve the pain. This physical treatment that is necessary to relieve the pain can be done by the person at home or by a therapist.
The aim of the treatment is to relax the muscle and, if possible, address the cause - the stress. The muscle problem and the stress cause are inextricably linked and should both be addressed at the same time. A therapist should handle both aspects of the treatment.
However, people may well find that they can treat themselves. They can treat the muscles by following the specific advice given below, as far as they are able, or by adapting it to their own convenience. They can treat the stress by recognising problems, talking them over with trusted colleagues, and taking action to overcome the problem, if this is possible. In some instances this is not possible by self counselling and advice of a trained counsellor should be sought.
Physical relaxation of the muscle is obtained by:
- Heat
Heat by either a hot water bottle, hot packs or a heat lamp. The heat should be appreciably warm, but don`t, obviously, burn yourself.
Heat is necessary for the following reasons:
a) Heat brings more blood to the muscles. The oxygen in the blood neutralises the excess lactic acid that has built up as a result of muscle tension. Over-used muscles make excess lactic acid and excess lactic acid keeps the muscle short and prevents it from returning to its original length. It is important to realise this, because the person with the pain may already have learnt the art of relaxation and be good at it, but if there is excess lactic acid, the muscle will remain in a shortened state and therefore not be relaxed.
b) Heat helps to relax the muscle. Just as heat makes the majority of matter extend, so it makes the muscle extend.
- Massage
Massage of the muscle can be a help and can be from a willing relative, friend or colleague, or from a professional therapist.
- Relaxation
To help achieve this, try slow rhythmical breathing . Breathe using the diaphragm , by letting the tummy come forward when breathing in, and drawing it back towards the spine when breathing out . Repeat this again and again and at the same time, think about the breathing rather than thinking about your problems. At the same time, if lying down, try and let the limbs feel heavy and lifeless.
There are additional treatments, such as pain killers or electrical therapy which may be provided by a doctor, chemist or therapist. But always, action to deal with the underlying cause of the stress should be undertaken, personally or with the help of a counsellor.
The media tend, these days, to suggest that we must be relaxed all of the time. This is wrong. If we were totally relaxed all of the time we would be like cabbages.
The opposite of relaxation is tension. To be tense means to be alert, to be ready for action. We will never get anything done unless we are tense or alert . The only trouble with tension is that, in the case of muscles, when they are tense for too long, they become painful. Remember, as already explained, when a muscle, or a few fibres in a muscle, REMAIN TENSE, they become painful.
People should learn the art of relaxation so that when they have the need to use it, they know what to do. They should learn `to melt the pain away` by relaxing, rather than trying `to fight the pain away` by remaining tense. Stress affects the emotions which, through Body Language makes the muscles tense. If the muscles remain tense they become painful.
So which emotion affects the Body Language of the back?
The emotion that affects the Body Language of the back is one where we desperately wish to be disassociated from a situation we are in or are affected by.
And which are the muscles involved?
The muscles involved in stress related pain are the prime movers, that is the main muscles which produce a specific movement and they lie in the deeper layer of the muscles.
| In the back the main muscle is the Quadratus lumborum |
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| When the left Quadratus lumborum is severely tense, look how it twists the back. The left shoulder is lower and the arm hangs away from the body. |
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There are other muscles commonly involved with stress related pain in the back. They are down the back and side of the leg. Pain down here is often called Sciatica. Muscles down the leg which are often involved are Biceps femoris, Semimembranosus, Semitendinosus, Tensor fasciae latae, and Soleus.
Muscles down the leg which are often involved.
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Stress affects the emotions which, through Body Language makes the muscles tense. If the muscles remain tense, they become painful.
So which emotion affects the Body Language of the Neck?
The emotion that affects the Body Language of the neck is one where we want to be on top of a situation, where we want to be in control.
And which are the muscles involved?
The main muscles involved in stress related pain in the neck are Rectus Capitis posterior major and minor, Levator Scapulae; and over the head are Occipito Frontalis and Auricularis.
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In fact , one can see quite easily where the pain occurs from the position of these muscles. We all have headaches from time to time at these positions.
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