How Body Stress Release Works
THE BODY STRESS RELEASE TECHNIQUE
This technique is designed to help the body release its stored tension.
With the person fully clothed and lying down, the practitioner carries out a series of tests to locate the exact sites of body stress, and determines the precise directions in which the lines of tension exist. This is done by applying light pressure to various points on the body, and observing the response. In this way, the body acts as a biofeedback mechanism, supplying the information required.
The practitioner then applies stimuli, by means of light but definite pressure, in exact directions encouraging the body to release the stored tension.
For first time clients, three initial sessions are highly recommended as the body may go through adaptations that need to be attended to.
If the body stress has occurred recently, the process of releasing it is usually very rapid. However, if the stress has been stored for a long time, the stress release may have to be carried out several times, over a period. This is because the tight, protective layers of the muscles tend to relax by degrees, back to their normal tone.
Because Body Stress Release works with the body’s natural striving to be stress free, it is a gentle procedure that does not require force.
I started BSR after a very serious water skiing accident where I compressed my lower spine. There was immediate relief and the day after the 3rd session I was completely pain free. I’ve had ongoing lower back issues for the last 6 – 7 years and after trying every available medical therapy, without real relief. I can honestly say that I am now 100% pain free and enjoying water skiing and wind surfing every week-end!
Thank you Kathy and BSR!
Initial 3-Phase Process
Health Maintenance
Stress Areas in the Body
The 3-Phase Process
1) Intensive Phase – Essential / required
Day 1, day 4, (possibly day 7) and day 11
– This is to address the immediate reason for attending BSR – Pain, discomfort, postural distortion, headaches, emotional stress etc.
2) Subsequent Phase – Recommended
Once every week or every second week (depending on individual case requirements)
– This phase is to continue unlocking stored tension/body stress at deeper levels as the body returns to an optimal state of well-being.
3) Maintenance Phase – Your commitment to your health
Once every 3 weeks, monthly or every 6 weeks
– On-going health maintenance – Most people honour the principle of prevention when it comes to their car, ensuring that it is serviced on a regular basis. We would be wise to give our bodies the same consideration and attend regular sessions of BSR to assist the body in maintaining optimal health.
POSSIBLE EFFECTS:
After your session / release you may experience extreme tiredness – this is normal as the body requires energy to heal. You may also experience (but not necessarily) increased pain, nausea, diarrhoea, headaches, light-headedness, thirst, hunger, bloatedness and even feel emotional or “weepy”.
These are all “normal” reactions to communication being restored in the body as various adaptations take place.
You may experience none of the above and feel extremely good and euphoric as each person is unique and will have their own reaction to BSR.
(This process obviously depends on the individual’s responses, and the level of care the person takes in “looking after” themselves during the process. As the body adapts to the returning communication, individuals will recover at different rates)
Please do not hesitate to contact your practitioner if you are unsure of anything that is happening to your body. Your practitioner will only be too happy to advise you as to what course of action to take.
HEALTH MAINTENANCE
WHY DO PEOPLE SEEK BODY STRESS RELEASE CARE?
Most usually people are looking for relief from pain, stiffness or other discomfort. Often it is because of lower back pain or leg pain, caused by stored tension in the lumbar spine; headaches, resulting from body stress in the neck; numb fingers due to compression in the lower neck affecting the nerve supply to the arms and hands.
However, BSR has a broader objective – it is concerned with assisting the body in maintaining health.
OUR BODIES ARE SELF-HEALING AND SELF-MAINTAINING
The body’s natural ability to maintain health depends on the coordination of all functions – this is controlled by the brain and nervous system. If there is tension locked into the physical structures, the irritation to the nervous system undermines its efficiency. For example, pressure in the lower back may not only cause pain, but also disturbs the nerve supply to the internal organs, such as the digestive and reproductive systems. Compression in the neck means that there is an impact on the nerves which have connections to the eyes, mouth, heart, etc.
Therefore, to promote efficiency of body function we need to keep ourselves free of stored body stress.
HOW DO WE ACQUIRE BODY STRESS?
In our daily lives we are subjected to various forms of stress. Mechanical stress may arise from accidents, poor posture and incorrect lifting. Chemical stress may be caused by harmful substances which we consume such as food additives, or inhale, e.g. insecticides, or absorbed through the skin, such as certain cosmetics and cleaning products. Mental and emotional stresses cause us to tense our neck, shoulders and abdomen. Even if the stresses are mild, they tend to build up, causing the muscles to gradually lock up. Obviously, it is preferable to have the body stress released, before it accumulates to the level of causing pain and malfunction.
IN THE ABSENCE OF PAIN, WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF BODY STRESS?
As the stresses become stored in the body a person will become aware of not feeling completely well. It may manifest as a lack of energy or difficulty in thinking clearly. There may be some stiffness on rising in the morning which eases as one moves about. Babies will become irritable and children may appear uncooperative and lacking concentration.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD A PERSON BE ASSESSED FOR BODY STRESS?
When a person has completed the series of BSR sessions it is advisable to have a follow-up appointment within a month’s time, or in some cases sooner, as recommended by the practitioner. In this way, any re-stressing of areas – due to the body going through a process of learning to deal with the stresses of daily life – may be released before symptoms arise. After that, the appointments may be spaced further apart. As the body stabilizes in its ability to cope with the stresses it is subjected to, it is advisable to have a BSR session several times a year, eg. every 3 months. The frequency will vary according to the individual.
THE RETURN OF SYMPTOMS: DOES IT MEAN THAT BSR HAS NOT BEEN EFFECTIVE?
When a person has had a long-term condition of body stress, eg. originating from a past incident, there is an accumulation of layers of muscle tension. After several sessions of BSR there may be total relief from pain or other symptoms. As time passes, possibly days, weeks or even months, the body will continue its process of unlocking a deeper level of stored tension. As the muscles relax back to normal tone, there may be an uncovering of the original cause. The return of pain or stiffness means that the body is ready to deal with this, with some help from further BSR sessions. Therefore, one should not become despondent about a problem which appears to return – it is an indication that more stored tension needs to be attended to.
