Self-care at home: Discover how stress affects your back

A few days ago, I was at the home of a client, let's call her Camila, and she asked me if I ever felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders.

Camila is 30, successful in her career as an interior designer, has no children and loves to travel with her husband.

For a moment, I was curious about what she was asking, and even more intrigued by why she felt this way; looking at Camila from the outside, she doesn't seem to have anything to worry about, does she?

The thing is, often without realizing it, our emotions and the stress of our daily lives accumulate in our bodies, and the first area to suffer is our back.

Does this sound familiar? It's more common than you think, and in this article I'll explain why and how I can help you, just like I helped Camila.

Why is the back the most affected area?

When faced with a stressful situation, the back is the first part of the body to react and tense its muscles as a defense mechanism.

But it's not just difficult moments that cause damage; bad habits also contribute.

For example:

👉 Do you spend long hours sitting in front of a computer or phone with poor posture?

👉 And I know exercise isn't your favorite thing, right?

These types of behaviors further damage your back.

Often, we don't realize the problem we're literally carrying around with us and overlook the discomfort that keeps us from being our best.

And you're probably asking yourself, "What are the symptoms?

These are the most common effects of stress on back pain, and you should not ignore them

Muscle pain is the contraction, stiffness, and discomfort that can limit your movement. It can manifest as cramps, spasms, tears, or inflammation.

Ever had a headache so bad you couldn't even turn your head? Tension in your upper back and neck can cause the pain to spread to your head.

Do you have trouble sleeping? Do you often wake up in the middle of the night? Muscle tension can make it difficult to relax and get a good night's sleep.

Do you find it harder to concentrate and be productive? Chronic stress and pain can make it difficult to focus and get things done.

How can therapeutic massage be helpful?

A therapeutic massage is a commitment to your overall well-being. By releasing accumulated muscle tension, a massage offers a number of benefits:

❤️ Pain Relief: Tyler, who has a hectic work schedule, took a moment for a relaxing at-home massage and immediately felt the tension and inflammation in his muscles decrease, relieving pain and stiffness.

❤️ Stress Reduction: Camila, who we talked about earlier, felt a sense of well-being and calm after her in-home therapy session because massages stimulate the production of endorphins, natural hormones that reduce cortisol, the hormone that causes stress.

❤️ Improved sleep: I also know a couple with three children, and as you know, raising a family is a huge responsibility that can leave you feeling so overwhelmed that you can't sleep. Since I've been treating them, they've been able to sleep better and get a good night's rest because massages help relax the body and mind. Goodbye insomnia!

❤️ Increased Energy: I have athletic patients who, after receiving therapeutic massage, feel an improvement in circulation and oxygenation of the tissues, giving them a feeling of revitalization. 

❤️ Increased flexibility: This is very important to emphasize because all of my patients have regained flexibility in their backs and improved their posture through relaxing and therapeutic massage.

Why is home massage therapy the best choice?

The real question is why not?

If it's because of a lack of time, you have a lot of work, the kids' homework, you don't feel comfortable going to a spa, and many other things you might be thinking... Don't worry, darling!

You can choose the schedule that best fits your schedule and enjoy a relaxing massage from the comfort of your home. You don't have to go anywhere because I come to you.

Plus, as your trusted Florida masseuse, I can customize the massage to your specific needs and preferences.

What can I expect with an in-home therapeutic massage?

During an in-home massage therapy session, you'll experience a moment of pure self-care tailored just for you. I'll use a variety of techniques to release muscle tension and promote relaxation. Some of these techniques include:

Kneading: Imagine that your muscles are like dough. When we work hard or are stressed, that dough hardens and forms knots. Don't you sometimes feel those tight knots in your back or shoulders?

With my hands, I'll press, stretch, and move those muscles to release those tensions and restore their softness. It's like a deep massage, but done with care and attention 🤗.

Friction: I will use quick, superficial movements to stimulate blood and lymph circulation, which helps to eliminate toxins and reduce inflammation. Friction is a great tool for relieving chronic or acute pain because it helps relax muscles and release endorphins, our body's natural painkillers.

Stretching: Imagine that your body is a garden and your muscles are the plants. They need to stretch to grow strong and healthy. Stretching is like a refreshing rain that nourishes your muscles and helps them regain their flexibility and vitality. Just as a plant needs space to grow, your muscles need to stretch to feel good and avoid pain.

So if you have a stiff back, you'll find a natural and effective way to recover from stress and muscle pain and be yourself again.

Relaxing and therapeutic massages at home are the key to finding the balance you need!

Best, Your trusted masseuse

Sandra.