There is no definition of stress that everyone can agree upon. What is stressful for one person may have little effect on other person. We all react to stress differently.
For ex children feel stressed before exams for reasons very individualistic for them. Some may feel stressed for will they remember things; some may feel stressed for will they be able to do well, someone may feel stressed for will they reach on time, or someone may feel stressed for fear one experiences on hearing about exams, being doubtful if they are yet prepared enough…
Stress motivates us to react and some amount of stress is good as it makes us prepared and increases our ability to handle situations.
But when stress goes to a level where a person finds himself incapable of handling the challenges, the stress then causes adverse reactions.
It becomes harmful when people use alcohol, tobacco, or drugs to try and relieve their stress.
Thus, each one can develop a pattern to deal with it, based on their perception of a stressor. At times we are able to deal with it, but at times we feel inadequate to deal with it.
Functional symptoms like palpitation, nervous feeling, neck pain, back pain are some of the ways the disturbed patterns find an expression
The type of stress matters
Stress can affect you both instantly (acute stress) and over time (chronic stress).
Acute (short-term) stress is the body's instant response to any situation that seems demanding or dangerous. Your stress level depends on how intense the stress is, how long it lasts, and how you cope with the situation.
Most of the time, your body recovers quickly from acute stress. But stress can cause problems if it happens too often or if your body doesn't have a chance to recover. In people with heart problems, acute stress can trigger an abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia) or even a heart attack.
Chronic (long-term) stress is caused by stressful situations or events that last over a long period of time. This could include having a difficult job or dealing with a chronic disease. If you already have a health problem, stress can make it worse.
Stress affecting joint and muscle: Increased muscle tension is an important part of the "fight or flight" stress reaction to demand and pressure. Noradrenaline from the sympathetic nervous system alerts the muscles to tense up in preparation for action. Tense muscles get set to act quickly in response to threat or danger. You move faster and have greater strength during an emergency because of this extra boost.
If no action occurs, muscle tension may remain. You adopt an "on guard" posture that lasts as long as you feel threatened: shoulders up, arms slightly forward causing "pain in the neck”.
Stress also contributes to inattention to your body's signals, increasing the likelihood that you will sit, stand, or move in ways that strain your muscles. Most people under stress are less likely to continue their exercise leaving the muscles vulnerable to strain when called upon for strenuous effort.
Unrelieved muscle tension leads to tension headaches, back pain, and TMJ, temporo-mandibular joint (jaw pain).
Chronic muscle tension pulls on the muscle's tendon, and can lead to pain where the tendon is attached to the bone. Chronic tension on a joint or tendon can pull the body out of balance, creating pains. This may also cause an inflammation of the tendons, resulting in the painful condition called tendinitis. When weakened muscles are pushed beyond their physical limits, the spasm, which we experience as cramps in large muscles.
Chronic stress confuses the immune system which may make you susceptible to infections. It can lead to overproduction of cytokines, which results in inflammation. This can be particularly painful with autoimmune diseases such as Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis or Rheumatoid Arthritis. Stress is known to worsen autoimmune disease symptoms and can trigger lupus flare-ups.
Even injuries take time to heal, when one experiences stress of any particular thing.
Resolving the strain with homeopathic medicines deals with understanding the pattern of each individual person, methodically by taking their case in detail. Once the disturbed pattern is understood a medicine is selected on basis of symptom similarity. Healing in homeopathy occurs on similia principle.
It’s not only the chief complaint that gets relieved but also the collateral complaints get healed under the influence of good homeopathic remedy.
Dr. Sonali Bhonsle,
BHMS, PG Hom (London), PG Dietetics,
Fellowship in Advance Homoeopathy.
