Mind Over Muscle

By Patrice Germont

How great will you feel once you realize, that you are able to live a mobile, joyful life once again?

Granted, Chronic Muscle Tension is a serious matter. Still, don't we humans have the power to control what needs to be controlled?

In my book "Mind Over Muscle" i take a rather unconventional look at a very conventional problem: Muscle Pain!
If you are feeling you could use a massage right now, purchase my book first & discover mindblowing Tips, Tricks & Techniques on how to feel at ease.
I'm not against massages. Of course not! But physical therapy is just one piece of the puzzle.

Mind over muscle means: To acknowledge that we have control over our body, our muscles and our personal freedom.

This is what you are about to learn:

- Why PREVENTION is actually KEY, even if you are suffering already!
- Which "lifestyle traps" you need to escape to help you get better!
- The furious negative feedback loop & how can escape it!
- Which boundaries to set to achieve an advantageous mental state!
- How to use relaxation techniques such as "Progressive Muscle Relaxation" by Jacobson!
- How Hypnosis allows you to help yourself get better!
- In what way Stillness & Meditation can make a HUGE difference
- How to use imagery scenarios to keep calm!

...and of course i'll also take a quick look at more conventional measures such as uisng aromatherapy and massages to help you feel better :)

I can only encourage you to not delay when it comes to reading this book. If you are like me you have tried a lot of things. It is always good to find new ways and keep walking on them now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Patrice Germont
• Release date: Feb 24, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386808930

Book preview

Mind Over Muscle

This eBook contains information that is intended to help the readers be better informed consumers of health care. It is presented as general opinion on health care only. Furthermore, the information is presented as is without any warranties implied or made direct by the author. This work is not necessarily true, complete, or up-to-date. 

This Book is NOT intended to be medical advice. Always consult your doctor before starting any treatment program. If you believe you have a serious health problem, put this book down and contact a licensed health care specialist immediatly! 

Copyright 2017 – All rights reserved

No part of this book shall be reproduced or redistributed witout written consent of the right holder. 

Table of Contents

Introduction      1

CHAPTER 1: IT’S ALL in the Mind      

The Science of Muscle Tension and Pain      3

Understanding the Feedback Loop      5

Other Likely Culprits      5

The Relaxation Response      7

CHAPTER 2: AN OUNCE of Prevention is Better than A Pound of Cure

Resolving Conflicts     8

Working Better     9

Standing Tall    10

Setting the Mood    11

Aromatherapy and Essential Oils     12

Sleeping Well     13

Breaking Bad Habits     13

Starting Small     15

CHAPTER 3: LET’S GET Physical 

Massage     16

Heat Therapy     16

Stretching and Exercise    17

CHAPTER 4: KEEP CALM and Stay Relaxed

The Jacobson Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique18

The Preparation Stage18

The Basic Technique19

Whole Body Technique20

Localized Technique21

CHAPTER 5: PREPARE to be Mesmerized

Hypnosis and Hypnotism26

Principles of Hypnosis26

Stages of Hypnosis27

Hypnotherapy27

Self Hypnosis32

CHAPTER 6: UNDOING Tension with Meditation

Meditation Techniques38

How to Meditate39

Tips for Better Practice:              41

Choosing a Focus Object42

CHAPTER 7: TO SEE IS To Believe

Principles of Guided Imagery44

Types of Imagery45

Tips for Creating Guided Imagery Scenarios46

Guided Imagery Sample Scripts     48

CHAPTER 8: WHAT’S NEXT?    51

Introduction

Imagine a normal, everyday , nondescript person crouched at a desk in front of a computer with bent fingers flying over the keyboard, glassy eyes staring fixedly on the monitor, and a metaphorical monster of a deadline peeking over his hunched shoulders and slouched back. The person seemingly sits frozen in that position, in a valiant attempt to get a momentously important job done.

All of a sudden unidentifiable miniscule needles of pain shoots up the back, flies across the shoulders, and creeps up the neck towards the person’s face. The thighs tense up and mini cramps crawl up the feet and legs. This whole scenario might seem like an imaginary scene from a suspense novel or a thriller but it occurs surprisingly often in real life and takes the form of a condition callled chronic muscle tension.

While the occurence of chronic muscle tension might be common, the understanding of the condition might not be as universally understood. What exactly is muscle tension? As the name suggests, it involves the tensing of the muscles which could be alternatively worded as contraction of the muscles.

Nomally, muscles are able to contract or shorten and lengthen or stretch depending on a particular movement. When muscle tension happens, the muscles remain bunched up for an extended amount of time and do not immediately and readily go back to their usual position. Chronic muscle tension just means that this happens a lot more often in almost the same places.

The signs and symptoms for this condition usually include  muscle pain, tenderness, or soreness; having a feeling of tightened or hard muscles; having a feeling of tiredness or fatigue;  tension headaches; stiff neck; and muscle cramps or spasms. 

Anybody can experience muscle tension but those who are under extreme stress, particularly with sedentary lifestyles and constant pressures at work, are the most predisposed to developing chronic muscle tension.

Physical therapy is the go-to treatment for chronic muscle tension. It involves a variety of activities such as exercising, heat and cold treatments, and massages. These sort of treatments have been proven to have a high success rate but unbeknownst to the majority, there is actually a whole range of other methods and options that can help with alleviating pain from muscle tension. These are alternative therapies that could be employed as a stand-alone procedure or be used in conjuction with conventional physical therapy.  

Boxing oneself into a limited mindset that there is only one possible treatment would be akin to just eating cake at an eat-all-you-can dessert buffet. There are other options available and choosing the right ones that fit one’s particular needs and lifestyle could mean the difference between suffering needlessly and being virtually pain-free. This book aims to explore those options and teach readers easy step-by-step ways that