Balancing out Physical Stress on the body and Its Effects

Balancing out Physical Stress on the body and Its Effects

 

Physical Stress and Its Effects

We are looking at the physical stress model and its effects as well as some simple solutions to begin to reduce it in our lives. Physical stress is simply stress on the body by means of outside forces. This can simply be gravity in some instances. But we will look at some common physical stressors that we encounter in today's society.

First off, children, backpacks are a huge source of physical stress to our youth. One’s backpack should be no more than 10-15% of a child’s body weight. Parents out there pick up your child’s backpack and see how heavy they really are. A 100lbs child should only be carrying up to 15lbs in the packs. Most first graders only weigh 50-70 lbs, that's less than 10 lbs they should be carrying.

Another very common form of Physical stress is repetitive motion. This can be simply typing at a keyboard, clicking a mouse 100+ times a day, etc.. Repetitive stress can also be golf, baseball, tennis, bowling and many other "normal" activities.

Repetitive stress is usually a form of micro-trauma, Repetitive small injuries to a joint or structure. Over time, the body finds ways to protect itself from it, ie, calluses form on your finger tips from playing the guitar long enough, this is the bodies way of protecting itself. If say the physical stress is inside your body, inflammation and for an easy term, a callus form for protection. This inflammation and "callus" cause pain and joint dysfunction inside the body. Tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis, are usually the result of repetitive physical stress.

Some simple ways to reduce this physical stress, in the case of the backpack, adjusting the weight is the first step, second, make sure the child has a backpack that fits them properly, third, make sure the child wears the backpack properly (using both straps). For typing there are orthotic keyboards, ergonomic mice, proper chair height, etc.. Athletes who perform one sided activities, bowling is a good example, need to stretch and strengthen their non-dominant side. Golfers need to develop the muscles that are involved with swinging a club on their non-dominant side also to prevent injuries to their lower back.

Men who sit with their wallets in their back pocket are sitting with a stress applied to their lower back, woman who carry big purses on the same shoulder all the time = stress, the list goes on and on.

To reduce the amount of physical stress exerted on our bodies, we just need to first acknowledge its there and find a simple solution to reduce it.

 

How You Can Help Your Body to Self-Regulate Itself

According to research, adaptogens are unique from other substances in that they 'have the ability to balance the immune system and the endocrine system and they help the body to maintain optimal homeostasis'. Adaptogens work at the cellular level to improve the function and vitality of every cell in the body, thereby increasing the health of the entire organism.

By definition, adaptogens are natural substances that:

1. Are entirely safe and have no negative side effects.
2. Stimulate the body's own self-regulation process and they increase the body's non-specific resistance (ability to cope with external and internal stress).
3. Normalize functions of the bodily systems, improving a wide variety of conditions and aggravating none.

For centuries adaptogens have been used to combat stress, mental and physical fatigue, and to minimize tissue damage resulting from free-radicals that our bodies are exposed to on a daily basis. Adaptogens are noted for having the most broad spectrum healing properties. They are protective and increase an individual's resistance to chemical, physical and biological stresses.

A few of the main effects of adaptogens include:

• Antioxidant effects that inhibit free radicals from adversely affecting cell membranes
• Ability to facilitate formation of proteins
• Ability to help the body re-build damaged muscle tissue
• Increased endurance
• Increased availability of energy throughout the day
• Reduction of stress feelings
• Deep and restful sleep
• Greater mental alertness
• Significantly elevate recovery process after physical activity and illness

According to research, the following list shows the powerful effects of six of the most important adaptogenic herbs used today.

Ginseng (Ren Shen) is known to:

• Have immune enhancing effects
• Improve ability to withstand stress
• Increase work performance and quality
• Enhance mental function
• Extract inhibited radical formation (Anti-oxidant effect)
• Decrease fasting blood sugar and body weight
• Increase RNA and protein content in muscle and liver tissue
• Saponins in Ginseng lower cholesterol and protect against atherosclerosis
• Influence endocrine system (increases release of ACTH, which stimulates adrenal glands and their activities)
• Increase Circulation
• Augment Chi

Astragulus (Huang Qi) is known to:

• Increase circulation and boost vitality
• Enhance immune function by increasing natural killer cell activity and enhancing macrophage activity
• Enhance recovery after illness, disease, or prolonged stress
• Increase Basal Metabolic Rate

Schisandrae Chinensis (Wu Wei Zi) is known to:

• Counter the effects of stress and fatigue
• Have normalizing effects in cases of insomnia and neurasthenia
• Improve mental coordination and alertness
• Improve work efficiency, physical endurance, and quickens reflexes
• Stimulate non-specific immunity
• Have an antibiotic effect
• Benefit the Gastrointestinal, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Reproductive Systems

Licorice Root (Gan Cao) is known to:

• Have anti-inflammatory effects due to its high concentration of saponins
• Enhance immune function
• Exhibit estrogenic activity and mineralocorticoid effects
• Have a stimulating effect on the adrenal cortex
• Have an antibiotic effect
• Have anti-allergic, anti-toxin, and anti-neoplastic effects
• Have anti-spasmodic and analgesic effects
• Strengthens Chi and benefits all 12 energy meridians

Radix Polygoni Multiflori (He Shou Wu) is known to:

• Increase circulation and boosts vitality
• Have a cholesterol lowering effect
• Eliminate toxins
• Have anti-aging effects (studies show that He Shou Wu retards the aging process)
• Have an effect on Endocrine, Gastrointestinal, and Cardiovascular Systems
• Prevent premature graying of hair

Fructus Lycii (Gou Qi Zi) is known to:

• Increase circulation
• Have an immuno-stimulating and anti-neoplastic effect
• Have an effect on Cardiovascular, Gastrointestinal, and Reproductive Systems

Now you can see why all of these incredible herbs are used in all Ancient Herbal Secrets proprietary formulas.

References

Diann Clark

Linden Pfeiffer