Osteopathy can help with the physical symptoms of exam pressure:
Osteopathy and GCSE/A Level exams pressure isn’t new. When I hear the word stress my mind stereotypically creates the image of workers sat at a desk tearing their hair out over their workload! However, stress affects many more people than we would ordinarily think. Stress and worry can effect individuals in many ways. One may not be able to sleep, we might lose a sense of appetite or even turn to food as a comfort. 3am might look like a constant whirlwind of thoughts flooding through the mind and the body will just feel exhausted.
These are the symptoms experienced by children and teenagers nationwide, commonly at the exact same time each year. If you had not have guessed already, this is exam season!
What is stress?
Stress is the body’s natural response to any type of threat or inconvenience. Regardless of whether the danger is physical or psychological the body combats the problem and the defenses immediately kick in. It is an automatic, rapid, and subconscious process that triggers the body’s ‘fight or flight mode’, also known as the ‘stress response’. This usually occurs when there is actual danger in front of us and hormones are then released into the body to cope with this. The stress response is usually the body’s way of protecting us but when experienced psychologically it can cause anxiety and tension all over your body. Osteopathy and GCSE/A Level exams pressure can cause physical problems.
Symptoms of exam pressure
Stress from school, exams and long periods of revision can cause physical challenges too! Children and Teenagers will often complain of shoulder and back pain during exam season as well as headache and migraine issues caused by neck straining. These are often associated with long periods of studying on a computer with no breaks as well as awkwardly leaning over the desk to write during the exam.
On top of this, they are lugging around a loaded bag full of heavy text books and notes to lessons, all of which accompanied by general anxiety causes the body to be is a stress state. This is not a situation you want to be in. Especially in some of the most important months of school when you are meant to be at the top of your form!
How Osteopathy can help?
Osteopathy and GCSE/A Level exams pressure go hand in hand. Here at Solihull Osteopathic Practice we welcome students of all ages to come in for treatment. Using different osteopathic techniques such as massage, stretching and mobilisation we can reduce tension and relieve stress. They will leave feeling relaxed and ready for their exams and hours of revision ahead, ensuring that they are performing their best!
Osteopathic practice often helps to relieve the stresses and strains caused by tension and anxiety in these commonly complained about areas. We can also help to educate you on how to correctly posture yourself whilst revising at a computer or on a desk so that your aches and pains will not distract you from studying. All of these factors will ensure that you will be physically your best-self during these stressful few months!
What you can do:
- Take regular rest breaks.
- Stretch and exercise your muscles frequently.
- Keep hydrated.
- Try breathing exercises to help relax and de-stress.
- Try and get a restful night’s sleep before an exam or long revision day.
- Book an appointment to see one of our osteopaths.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to phone us on 0121 7054499 or go online at www.jeremyjamesosteopath.co.uk
Written by Georgie Nesbitt