When my anxiety was at its worst during part of my menopause and for most of the 2020 lockdowns, my nervous system became extremely dysregulated. In the beginning, it manifested as constant palpitations and stomach churning. I tried and failed to relax in an effort to dial down the agitation that I was experiencing. For instance, I couldn't read a book as I couldn't concentrate and, alarmingly, the words kept 'jumping' around the page. These physical symptoms of anxiety wouldn't allow me to sleep. After weeks of sleep deprivation, I was starting to feel depressed. My body ached all over, and my shoulders and neck were tense and painful. Unsurprisingly, my migraines increased. I felt lonely, isolated, and uncared for. No wonder, as my physical, mental, and emotional well-being was so impaired.
The amygdala is one of the oldest parts of our brain and is part of our limbic system. These almond-shaped structures are located on either side of our head and are the major processing center for emotions. When we become stressed over long periods of time, the amygdala becomes overstimulated, resulting in the symptoms I have described above. Interestingly, while studying canine psychology, I learned that dogs have an amygdala too and presumably experience stress and fear in a similar way to humans. When my Bulgarian rescue dog arrived in the UK in 2023, she had been extremely traumatized by the journey here. In terms of 'fight, flight, or freeze,' she was the latter. She is a work in progress but unsurprisingly responds well to kindness, reassurance, a supportive routine, and therapeutic touch. There have been many studies that show that this type of social interaction with our companion animals is also good for us humans too!
Touch has a regulating influence on the amygdala. As part of my wellness plan (which included speaking to my doctor), I booked in for regular holistic massage treatments. Therapeutic touch sends a safety signal to our brain, which in turn slows down our heart rate, regulates rapid breathing, and cortisol/adrenaline production, and soothes our nervous system. It reduces pain by releasing tension and relaxing tense muscles. It increases feel-good hormones such as oxytocin, serotonin, endorphins, and dopamine. I started to feel physically better, which in turn allowed me to focus more easily on my mental and emotional health. I managed to start regular meditation, which led to an improvement in my sleep. Gradually, I started to feel like myself again.
It continues to be a great pleasure to share my knowledge with clients. Whether you choose reflexology, a full-body or a 'targeted' back, neck, shoulder massage, or a combination of both, I always find it incredibly rewarding to see the positive effects of therapeutic touch. I offer 60, 75, or 90-minute treatments. Your session will be gentle, relaxed, and unhurried, providing the calm and reassurance that an anxious and fearful mind and body require to heal. I look forward to helping you feel better.
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