Muscle pain, shortness of breath, and digestive problems are symptoms of anxiety and depression that can be attributed in part to chronic muscle tension. I was wondering if anyone has information regarding studies measuring range of motion in depression and/or anxious people.
I think you are onto something interesting there. Muscle tension characterises anxiety rather than depression (though they often overlap). Indeed, if my memory serves me well, muscle tension and irritability are the only two nonspecific symptoms that are in any way specific to generalised anxiety disorder.
I am not sure whether range of motion would capture this construct though. But I'm not a physio. With a hypothesis like this, I would sit down with one of my physio colleagues and pick their brains!
I also would like to know if Physio and putting the muscles through their paces with exercises stretches yoga and so on actually has a positive effect on the mental health!
Please let me know if these two articles help:-
1. Generalized anxiety disorder: is there any specific symptom?
Faravelli C1, Castellini G, Benni L, Brugnera A, Landi M, Lo Sauro C, Pietrini F, Rotella F, Ricca V.
Compr Psychiatry. 2012 Nov;53(8):1056-62. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2012.04.002. Epub 2012 May 11.
2. The relationships between measures of stature recovery, muscle activity and psychological factors in patients with chronic low back pain.
Lewis S1, Holmes P, Woby S, Hindle J, Fowler N.
Man Ther. 2012 Feb;17(1):27-33. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2011.08.001. Epub 2011 Sep 7.
Ingrid Monteiro - Yes, the two papers you have listed are a good start. Thank you very much!
Dr Sohrab Panday - I have been having some luck with teaching people how to use sustained yoga poses and a bit of an advanced technique of pushing from inside the body outward against a contracted muscle. This is easiest in the torso using the breath to expand the rib cage, but can be used in subtler ways to extend to the throat, shoulders, stomach and upper legs.
Hope you will find some answers if you download my researchgate publication:
A COGNITIVE APPROACH TO LOW BACK & PELVIC PAIN, FOR REDUCING EMOTIONALLY INDUCED LATERALIZED BRAIN ACTIVITY IN ORDER TO CORRECT MUSCLE IMBALANCES. TWISTED BODY STRESS SYNDROME – TBSS
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Roland_Anderson/publications
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Roland_Anderson/publications
Dr. Anderson, Thank you for the article.
Dr. Strong, I have observed the muscle tension clearly among young traumatized children. Along with play therapy, I use meditation and yoga and teach their caregivers to apply "BABY MASSAGE". The impact is positive and remarkable and long lasting (even in a year follow up). I do not have anything published on this yet though.
Very interesting, Dr. Anderson. I had never heard of the syndrome you describe in your paper.
Zohreh Zarnegar, are there special techniques you use that you find particularly effective when treating children? I have had some ideas of how to teach meditative practices to children, but I don't often work with children and have never tried any of them. I'm curious as to what methods you use. It sounds as though you are having some good results.
Yes Lara Strong. I have developed a method that includes multisensory integration and works with children as young as two years of age. It involves imagery, auditory, visual, and motor. Thank you for asking.
Zohreh Zarnegar - That sounds interesting. I had tried something a bit similar, where I would have people walk with their eyes closed in unfamiliar surroundings - it tends to calm any ruminating thoughts. I'm looking forward to any publications you have in the future.
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