Chronic Pain and Stress
Michael S. Margoles, Richard Weiner in Chronic PAIN, 2019
Perhaps the most promising area presently under investigation involves research into the biochemistry of health. In 1973 scientists discovered the endorphin. Endorphin is a naturally occurring narcotic within the brain that not only shields the body from pain, but is thought to influence emotion and mood. It is part of the “fight or flight” response to stress. Some researchers claim that endorphin and other such chemicals may actually be the molecular basis of emotion. It is believed that peptides such as endorphin relay messages between the hormone system and the brain and are called “neuropeptides.” Little is known about which emotional mood neuropeptides foster. Although endorphins have only recently been discovered, efforts to map their location in the brain will help determine how they impact clinical symptoms. They are tentatively offered as one mechanism to explain the relation of stress to disease. In the future, an endorphin count may be used to determine a person’s tolerance to pain and may play a role in the diagnosis and treatment of any stress disorder an individual may have.
Other Preventive Methods
J G Webster in Prevention of Pressure Sores, 2019
Response to fes includes (Kahn 1987): Relaxation of spasm.Monitored contractions of muscles, stimulating active exercise.Production of endorphins, a body-generated analgesic.Increased fiber recruitment.Circulatory stimulation by the “pumping action” of the contracting musculature.Enhancement of reticuloendothelial response to clear away waste products.
High-intensity aerobic endurance sports
Nick Draper, Helen Marshall in Exercise Physiology, 2014
While discussing feelings of fatigue and ways of delaying it, it is also interesting to consider the effects of three hormones released during longer-duration exercise. During aerobic endurance sports (also covered in Chapter 12) the hormones aldosteroneand anti-diuretic hormone are secreted by the adrenal cortex and the pituitary gland respectively, to stimulate Na+ and water reabsorption from the kidneys and so help maintain hydration. As the duration of exercise progresses endorphinsare released into the bloodstream which help to block the feelings of pain associated with exercise and to promote the feelings of well-being associated with exercise. Each of these endocrine responses serves to delay the effects of fatigue during high-intensity aerobic endurance sports.
The Effectiveness of a Multi-Sensory Sleep-Promotion Program on Sleep Quality among Hospitalized Older Adults of Thailand: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Published in Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 2023
Amornrat Kaewlue, Samoraphop Banharak, Ladawan Panpanit, Sutin Chanaboon
Back rubs can promote sleep quality (Cinar & Eser, 2012; Khieophung et al., 2011; Panpanit, 2019). This alternative intervention reduces muscle tension and stimulates the circulatory system. Back rub also relaxes the body and makes it free from stress. As a result, the body releases endorphins. However, catecholamines were lowered, and reticular formation functions were suppressed, reducing the body’s alertness. Finally, better sleep is promoted (Liu et al., 2015; Norman, 2015: Pornratshanee et al., 2005). Ayik and Ozden (2018) studied the mixed effects of back massage using lavender oil (aroma) in hospitalized adults and older adults. Our findings from the multi-sensory sleep promotion program were like theirs: the experimental group had fewer awakenings and reported better sleep quality than the control group.
The effect of yoga on pain level in primary dysmenorrhea
Published in Health Care for Women International, 2023
Nurcan Kirca, Aslı Sis Celik
It is known that yoga has an important role in reducing stress and sympathetic activity, increasing parasympathetic activity, improving a person’s quality of life, and also by reducing bad psychological symptom levels (Yang & Kim, 2016). It also has beneficial effects on physical and mental health problems through downregulation of the hypothalamic– pituitary–adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system, which may also be useful for managing primary dysmenorrhea by reducing menstrual pain (Kanojia et al., 2013). Yoga helps in increasing the flow of vital energy to the reproductive organs and establishes a balance among hormones regulating menstruation. Exercising affects the levels of steroid hormones in blood circulation of women in reproductive ages (Jahromi et al., 2008; Warren & Perlroth, 2001). Any form of exercise is known to release endorphins which are produced by the brain that raises the pain threshold (Rostami et al., 2006). Postures help to stimulate the nervous system from with sensory input from all over the body.
COVID-19 related knowledge, anxiety, depression and physical activity among Iranian people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis during COVID-19 pandemic: an online cross-sectional survey
Published in European Journal of Physiotherapy, 2023
Shabnam ShahAli, Haniyeh Choobsaz, Reyhane Ebrahimi
It has been reported that physical activity can reduce MS physical symptoms and slow down MS flare-ups [15]. In addition to physical advantages, it has been shown that physical activity reduces the level of stress hormones and increases the production of endorphins to enhance mood [16]. Also, reduced physical activity level is associated with an increased prevalence of anxiety [17]. People with MS are known to be considerably less physically active and usually have a sedentary lifestyle compared with the general adult population [18]. COVID-19 pandemic has affected people’s ordinal physical activity. The lockdown and isolation significantly interrupted daily life and physical activity [19]. Determining the level of physical activity and its relation with the level of anxiety/depression in people with MS, during the pandemic can be helpful for the implementation of a specific and practical education program. The aim of this study was to (1) determine COVID-19 related knowledge and assessing anxiety/depression and physical activity among Iranian people with relapsing-remitting MS during COVID-19 pandemic, (2) assess the relations between knowledge and anxiety/depression and (3) assess the relations between physical activity and anxiety/depression. To avoid potential confounding effects related to the cross-sectional design of the study, (4) the association between COVID-19 related knowledge, anxiety/depression and physical activity with demographic variables were also assessed using binary logistic regression analysis.
Related Knowledge Centers
- Adrenal Medulla
- Enkephalin
- Exercise
- Peptide
- Brain
- Orgasm
- Pituitary Gland
- Analgesic
- Cramp
- Opioid Peptide