Masage and Panic Attacks

[Fairytale]

I have had panic attacks on and off for years. Right now they do not really bother me. But sometimes when I get a massage its seems to trigger a panic attack.
During the massage I totally relax, and when my breathing slows right down everything changes. I suddenly feel hot and sweaty and my heart begins to pound which is really weird since I was so relaxed!
The first time it happened I was receiving a massage to the neck area (splenius capitis muscle) which triggered it off. I know this can bring out an emotional reaction with people.
The next time I was being massaged next to my spine and again it triggered it.
If anyone has any further info. on this or similar experience, please let me know. Thanks

 

[wavsmpxq]

Have you had your blood pressure checked recently? Might be worth getting a check up with your GP.

 

[Lesley]

Panic attacks are a funny thing.

Your body produces extra adrenalin to aid the flight or fight response. If you're constatly busy, stressed or worried your adrenals pump out adrenalin into your blood stream. When your busy or stressed a little bit of adrenalin will be used. However, when there is too much for your body to cope with it tries to let you know - hence, panic attacks.

Imagine you have a tank for adrenalin, after years of this being nearly full your body leans how to live with this and thinks it's a normal level.

If you suddly fully relax as you do during massage, the tank quickly drains and instead of having the attacks to warn it's full you'll have one to warn your it's nearly empty.

Oddly, this don't always happen when you go to sleep (although some people wake in the middle of the night having an attack) as your body puts the adrenalin to better use while you sleep.

The panic attacks don't bother you now as your body is used to the extra adrenalin, as a holistic therapist I suggest you look at the cause of your anixety and ways of how you can relax gently. Exercise especialy Tai chi allows you to relax while dispersing the extra adrenalin. While meditation re-trains your body to fully relax in a controled manner.

I hope this helps,

Hip xXx

 

[Gesselys Nunez]

Thankyou for your help, makes sense!