Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Massage
“According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) considers PTSD an anxiety disorder developed after being exposed to, either by direct experience or witnessing, an extreme or overwhelming traumatic event where they felt intense fear, helplessness or horror.
In our anatomy and physiology classes we learn that our nervous systems usually react to threatening situations with a "flight or fight reaction." But researchers studying PTSD found some people react with a kind of "freeze" reaction instead, feeling helpless and hopeless during the trauma. Unable to either defend themselves or run away they, in effect, play dead, becoming numb to the experience. Though the memories of these experiences fade from everyday thoughts, they remain hidden in the nervous system and muscles where they become deeply imbedded.
Sometime after the initial experience, either almost immediately or in some cases much later, the person shows signs of PTSD, including hyper-vigilance, avoidant behavior and intrusive thoughts.
These affect their everyday lives and those of their families, friends and co-workers. They may become depressed for prolonged periods, abuse drugs or alcohol, have obsessive/compulsive behaviors, anxiety attacks, flashbacks or simply withdraw from normal activities.”
Cited From: Fehrs, LMT, Linda.“Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.” Institute for Integrative Healthcare Studies, 5 Nov. 2008 .
“A growing awareness is emerging among massage therapists and other healthcare workers that traumatic experiences are widespread. It is very common for people who have been traumatized to develop medical and psychological symptoms associated with their experience. People that experience or witness life-threatening events such as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents or violent personal assaults often re-live these experiences over and over again. This can occur through:
Nightmares
Flashbacks
Difficulty sleeping
Feelings of detachment or estrangement
Development of physical pain from the mental/emotional impact of the event”
Cited From: Riedell, LMT, Lydia. “The Therapeutic Relationship in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.” Institute for Integrative Healthcare Studies, 21 Jul. 2005 .
“Known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, the stress caused by trauma has a neurobiological basis that can disrupt and alter brain chemistry, influencing one’s behavior, feelings and thought processes significantly. An estimated 70 percent of adults in the U.S. have experienced a traumatic event. Of these individuals, about 8 percent of men and 20 percent of women go on to develop PTSD following a traumatic event. Roughly 30 percent of these individuals develop a chronic manifestation that persists throughout their lifetimes. Without any treatment for this disorder, many people may continue to have PTSD symptoms even decades after the traumatic event.”
Cited From: Riedell, LMT, Lydia. “The Therapeutic Relationship in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.” Institute for Integrative Healthcare Studies, 21 Jul. 2005 .