In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Gulf Coast residents now face the daunting task of starting over. For those who suffered significant losses, moving forward may feel overwhelming. Where to start? Could this happen again?

This month's feature explores an important first step—creating a disaster plan. While a storm like Katrina may never affect you again, something else might. William Lynott can help you prepare for an uncertain future.

By Kerri Pienschke

hat causes the most stress during the holidays? Money issues ranked highest for causing holiday stress, according to a 2004 survey by the American Psychological Association (APA).

The survey found that 61 percent of Americans listed lack of money as the top reason for holiday stress followed by the demands of gift giving and lack of time. Survey results also showed that younger Americans are more worried about lack of money and gift giving compared to people 35 and older.

One in five Americans said they were worried that holiday stress could affect their physical health, but 36 percent admitted they either eat or drink alcohol to cope with holiday stress instead of utilizing something healthy – like therapeutic massage – for stress management.

The International Stress Management Association defines stress management as the ability of an individual to manage the perceived pressures they face on a day to day basis.

Stress is individual. What one person finds highly stressful, another may not even notice. Some people love the holiday crowds, noise and bright lights. Others find it chaotic and don’t enjoy it at all. Everyone reacts differently and can handle different amounts of stress before feeling negative effects.

Stress is not necessarily a bad thing. It can promote positive change and growth. But too much stress can be harmful. Research shows that as stress grows, people may become more susceptible to physical illness, mental and emotional problems, and accidental injuries.

How Stress Affects the Body

Stress affects the body through the nervous system, which is its control center. Every thought, action, and emotion reflects the activity of the nervous system. The nervous system is also responsible for the stress-related fight or flight response.

When a person faces situations of extreme stress, such as losing sight of a child in a crowded mall full of holiday shoppers, muscles tense, and the heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure all increase while adrenal glands pump adrenaline through the body. Systems that are not needed for immediate survival shut down. The body is prepared for “fight” or “flight.”

Most of the stresses we face are minor compared to losing a child in a mall. But when someone is genuinely worried about things like holiday gift-giving, money and family issues, the body has much the same response that it has to that fear in the mall. Because it’s not acceptable to either fight or run, the body does not as easily return to a normal state. The effects of stresses build up, and over time, the body spends more time in the fight or flight state.

Without a physical outlet to diminish the effects of stress, it can have considerable health consequences. Prolonged periods of stress can affect many systems of the body. Stress has been shown to aggravate, or even cause, such problems as heart disease, gastrointestinal disorders, memory loss and decreased immune function.

Relieving Symptoms of Stress with Massage

To prevent health problems, it’s important to reduce stress. Massage therapy is one of the best stress management methods available. Approximately 47 million adult Americans received a massage within the past year, according to results of AMTA’s 2005 Annual Consumer Survey. The survey also showed that many health care providers promote the benefits of massage to their patients. Twenty-one percent of consumers surveyed said they had discussed massage therapy with their healthcare provider. When asked who recommended massage therapy, sixty percent of respondents said a physician, followed by a physical therapist (50 percent) and a chiropractor (38 percent). Why do health care professionals recommend massage therapy? The positive effects massage has on the body are numerous.

Increased circulation is one of massage therapy’s primary benefits. Chronic tension produces tight muscles, the results of which are an inhibited inflow of nutrients and outflow of toxins. Increased circulatory flow brings more oxygen to cells and helps get rid of metabolic wastes. This can help reduce pain, increase range-of-motion and begin to eliminate the muscle “knots” that are associated with tight necks and shoulders.

Massage also boosts the body's immune system, which can become compromised from extended periods of stress, and triggers the opposite of the fight or flight response. The relaxation response lowers heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure and increases the blood supply to the body, helping it perform at an optimal level.

Pain relief is another advantage of massage therapy and is a very common reason why consumers seek massage therapy. AMTA’s 2005 Annual Consumer Survey showed that massage therapy actually tied with medication as the preferred method of pain relief for 28 percent of those surveyed. During a massage, the body releases endorphins, the body's own natural pain killers. The resulting reduction in pain allows tight muscles to loosen, which calms the nerves.

Consider Massage this Holiday Season

During holiday periods, it’s quite natural to expend a lot of energy, both mentally and physically. While preparing for family gatherings, buying gifts, fighting crowds and feeling like there’s not enough time to do it all, the holidays can take their toll. The holiday season leaves many feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.

This year, instead of turning to unhealthy means of relaxation, consider getting a massage. It will help restore the balance between body and mind frequently lost in stressful situations, reduce anxiety and promote a feeling of well being. Your holidays will be much more enjoyable if you’re relaxed and as stress-free as possible.

To find a qualified AMTA massage therapist near you, visit AMTA's Find a Massage Therapist locator service online today or call toll-free at 888-THE-AMTA [843-2682].

~ Kerri Pienschke is the Communications Projects Coordinator at the American Massage Therapy Association, based in Evanston, Illinois. She can be contacted at: kpienschke@amtamassage.org.  

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DID YOU KNOW?

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The devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina touched many lives, including AMTA members. AMTA extends its heartfelt condolences to those who lost loved ones and those who now face the challenges of re-establishing their lives. Like the rest of the population in the affected areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas, many members lost their homes and their livelihoods.

AMTA members have demonstrated their courage and caring nature throughout the ordeals brought on by the hurricanes. “All of us in AMTA can pull together to help our members who lost everything start practicing again,” said AMTA President Mary Beth Braun in an email to all member. “This is what AMTA is really about – a community of caring and compassionate massage therapy professionals.”

AMTA is proud of how massage therapists responded to both the initial disasters and to the needs of people trying to regain health, hope and normalcy. Many members volunteered to help relief workers cope with the physical and emotional stress of their efforts. AMTA members provided massage for Red Cross volunteers, initial responders and to some evacuees.

AMTA messages in response to the hurricanes are available in the Newsroom of the AMTA Web site.

Because of the magnitude of the effects of Hurricane Katrina, the AMTA National Board of Directors made some decisions on how to best help our members who were directly affected by the storm.

At the AMTA national convention, members donated more than $3,000 as an initial contribution through the New Mexico Chapter toward a National plan to offset AMTA dues and Chapter fees for members in the affected areas.  AMTA will match funds raised through this Chapter program up to $50,000, so members in the affected area will not have to pay their dues for one year. 

AMTA is coordinating a Practitioner Member Rebuilding Kit, which will include basic equipment and supplies, donated by leading companies, to help members in the affected areas get started again.

AMTA also has opened the online Career Center  to all, offering free listings for open massage therapist jobs and for members to post their resumes. If you own a massage-related business and have openings for massage therapists, we encourage you to hire AMTA members from the devastated region.

Q: Can I get lasting benefits from receiving only one massage?

A: Certainly, any amount of massage is wonderful for your mind and body. However, massage has its greatest benefits over time. The therapeutic effects of massage are cumulative, so the more often a person gets a massage, the better he or she will feel, and the more quickly one’s body will respond. From one session to the next, relaxation deepens as the chronic patterns of stress in the body are affected and released. These changes are readily felt in day-to-day life as well, which adds another dimension of reinforcement. If you are getting massage to address chronic muscular tension or recovery from a soft-tissue injury, more than one session is usually needed.

Find an AMTA-member massage therapist in your area through the association’s free Find a Massage Therapist national locator service or call 1-888-THE-AMTA.

For a different massage tip each week, visit AMTA’s Massage Room.

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