Fight, Flight, or Freeze – Achieving Balance with Iler Method® Therapy
Our therapy's initial goal is to get clients out of physical pain, while our highest achievement is helping them achieve a balanced state. We help clients move from constant stress to equilibrium, addressing stress's physical, psychological, and neurological aspects.
Did you know that prolonged stress can cause muscles to tighten, leading to chronic pain? According to the Journal of Neurophysiology, the body's "fight, flight, or freeze" response, while useful in short bursts, can cause physical discomfort when activated for long periods. At Iler Method® Therapy, we transform this stress response into relaxation and healing through specialized sports massage techniques. This post will explore how managing your stress response can reduce pain and enhance your well-being.
Understanding the Stress Response
At Iler Method® Therapy, we specialize in transforming the body's innate stress response into a state of relaxation and healing. The "fight, flight, or freeze" response is a natural reaction to stress. This response, controlled by the sympathetic nervous system, prepares the body to confront, flee from, or become immobilized by a threat. While beneficial in short bursts, prolonged sympathetic arousal can be detrimental.
This state of arousal often contributes to muscle tightness, pain, and overall discomfort. We aim to transition clients from this heightened state into the "rest and digest" phase, controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system. This phase is crucial for recovery, promoting relaxation, digestion, and healing.
The Science Behind the Iler Method® Therapy
Our therapy's initial goal is to get clients out of physical pain, while our highest achievement is helping them maintain a balanced state. We assist clients move from constant stress to equilibrium, addressing stress's physical, psychological, and neurological aspects.
We iterated our processes and procedures to achieve better outcomes that positively affected the nervous system. Our understanding of the nervous system continues to evolve as we work with sensitive, physically aware, and responsive clients. This evolution led us to refine our sports massage techniques to address pain and stress.
Physical -
Following our trigger point holds, we briefly release pressure for 1-3 seconds to promote essential blood flow, oxygen, and hormones like HGH, IGF-1, insulin, and testosterone. These elements aid tissue repair and pain management, enhancing healing. This method accelerates healing, allowing clients to recover quickly and return to the daily activities they love. These holds contribute to the physical changes in our therapy, facilitating the body's transition from sympathetic to parasympathetic dominance.
Neurological -
The neurological aspect of our therapy focuses on calming the central nervous system. When stress activates a fight, flight, or freeze response, the sympathetic nervous system becomes overactive, enhancing chronic pain. Our techniques aim to reset this response by engaging the parasympathetic system, which promotes relaxation and healing. We calm the nervous system through rhythmic breathing, mindful touch, and intentional pauses during the massage, which signals the body to shift from alertness to calm. By repeatedly stimulating this transition, we help retrain the nervous system to respond more appropriately to stress, reducing overall pain and improving health.
Psychological -
The psychological aspect of our therapy is integral to addressing the mental and emotional dimensions of stress and pain. We create a therapeutic environment that encourages clients to relax and trust the process, essential for effective healing. Our therapists use affirming communication to reinforce positive responses, such as saying,
"Take in two more deep breaths," guiding them both in and out, or noting significant tissue changes, like reducing a trigger point or muscle release. This approach validates their experience and fosters a sense of empowerment and cooperation, which is crucial for psychological resilience. Encouraging clients to shift from a sympathetic to a parasympathetic state helps them achieve a deeper level of relaxation and mental clarity.
Addressing Stress-Induced Physical Issues
Stress keeps the body in a heightened state of arousal, dominated by the sympathetic nervous system, leading to muscle tightness, pain, and various health issues. The continuous activation of this stress response can cause the muscles to remain tense and overworked, resulting in discomfort and potential injury.
Over time, this state can contribute to a range of physical ailments, including headaches, neck and upper back pain, thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)Our specialized hold-and-release rhythm technique is optimal for managing "good pain" during trigger point and adhesion treatments..
Our specialized hold-and-release rhythm technique is optimal for managing "good pain" during trigger point and adhesion treatments. It involves applying deep pressure massage and holding trigger points for 10-15 seconds and adhesions for up to 30 seconds to facilitate their release. This targeted approach helps alleviate immediate pain and addresses the underlying issues contributing to long-term discomfort, aiding the transition from sympathetic to parasympathetic dominance.
Our comprehensive treatment plan not only provides relief from pain but also supports long-term recovery. By systematically releasing tension and promoting relaxation, we help the body transition out of its stressed state. This holistic approach ensures that clients experience sustained improvements, reducing the recurrence of stress-related physical issues.
Enhancing the Therapeutic Experience
We consciously opt not to use background music during medical massage sessions, allowing for more transparent communication that enhances the overall effectiveness of the bodywork. This direct interaction helps us better understand your verbal and non-verbal cues, which are key for addressing your specific conditions and ensuring optimal recovery.
Our mirroring breathing technique is particularly beneficial when clients feel unsettled or anxious. Demonstrating deep breaths helps reduce stress and tension, promoting faster healing. Steady, rhythmic breathing aids in easing the nervous system and allows clients to control their pain more.
Ongoing Support and Education
With our extensive knowledge base, we strongly emphasize education during our sessions. We inform clients about any changes we detect in their tissues and explain their significance. This transparency helps clients better understand their condition and prepares them for the next steps in their treatment plan.
Providing detailed information enhances clients' motivation and adherence to recovery protocols. When clients understand the reasons behind their treatment, they are more likely to follow through with the recommended exercises and lifestyle adjustments. We find that active participation is crucial for achieving the best outcomes.
Understanding the treatment process empowers clients and fosters a proactive approach to their health. Educated clients are better equipped to manage their symptoms and make informed decisions about their care. This empowerment leads to improved health outcomes and a more satisfying therapeutic experience.
Final Thoughts for Achieving Balance - Iler Method
At Iler Method Therapy, we aim to provide comprehensive care that addresses stress's physical, psychological, and neurological impacts. Utilizing our specialized sports massage techniques, we help clients transition from a state of fight, flight, or freeze to one of balance and healing. Our holistic approach ensures that we alleviate immediate pain and promote long-term recovery.
Understanding the intricate relationship between the nervous system and physical health is crucial in therapy. effective treatment. This method empowers clients to manage their heightened arousal responses better and achieve sustained improvements in their overall health.
Whether dealing with chronic pain, stress-induced physical issues, or seeking a way to enhance relaxation, the Iler Method® Therapy provides a tailored and effective solution. Our commitment to ongoing support and education ensures that each session contributes positively to your health journey. Begin with a same-day phone consultation to decide whether we fit nicely into your self-care plan.
Disclaimer: Please note that at Iler Method® Therapy, we specialize in massage therapy and related techniques. All clients must understand that we are not medical professionals; our services are not substitutes for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Our practices support and complement your overall health but do not replace professional medical consultation when needed.
