Perform Better by Relaxing More!

While the title of this blog is absolutely true, I chuckle as I suspect that the benefits of relaxation it promises might appeal to New Yorkers living a fast-paced lifestyle. My colleagues agree that while many of our clients report having difficulty relaxing, many also confess great relief taking a break to focus on their body.

According to the Mind/Body Institute at Harvard University, 60-90% of medical visits per year in the US are for stress-related disorders. Many conditions we treat clients for have a stress-related component. So how can you get those tense muscles in your neck, back or pelvis to relax?

Often in physical therapy treatment, we recommend a course of progressive relaxation on a daily basis for a minimum of 8 weeks, which is the length of time studies have shown to have long-term effects. It makes sense to treat the nervous system which may be out of balance due to chronic pain or stress, both of which trigger the autonomic nervous system’s sympathetic fight or flight response. The body responds in predictable ways under these conditions. To name a few: breathing becomes shallow and more rapid, heart rate and blood pressure increases, digestion slows and becomes more acidic, and concentration and memory are decreased. Plus, prolonged stress inhibits the immune system from fully functioning.

The good news is that the autonomic nervous system also has what is called a relaxation response (controlled by the parasympathetic division). This is not just the absence of the flight or flight response but an actual process that the system “does”.

After regular daily practice of progressive relaxation or other techniques such as meditation, yoga or breathing exercises, one can expect to experience a more natural calm, increased ability to concentrate and solve problems and increased resilience to stressful conditions. Studies show that a long list of medical conditions can be improved with these practices. While other interventions may be important or beneficial to address sources of stress, progressive relaxation can be a helpful adjunct to any of those interventions.

I usually recommend using a recording (the one our practice uses is 25 minutes long) as one falls asleep at night since it may be the only time you lie down to relax without doing anything else, and also to improve sleep quality, since during deeper stages of sleep we replenish neurotransmitters needed for coping with stress or pain. I’ve also found it enjoyable to listen to the recording while commuting on the subway or even walking -- why not learn to relax while you are in motion?

If at times during practice of progressive relaxation you experience challenges in your ability to maintain focus, letting go of tension or discover tension that results in you feeling less relaxed, realize that with intention and practice you will improve these skills.  Also the nervous system takes time to adapt so results may take minutes or repeated practice, and “more relaxation” versus “perfect relaxation” constitutes success.

Overall this healthful practice is fairly simple to implement and has a wide range of health benefits. Once you’ve discovered whether it works for you, it’s a practice you can return to throughout your life. 

Sara Chan, PT, CFMT

Duffy & Bracken Physical Therapy