Question:
Then a couple of weeks ago, I started to get the same symptoms again.
The chest pain comes and goes, and never lasts for more than a couple
of seconds and is very mild really, almost more like prickly heat. The
pain in the shoulder arm is more like tension really, similar to if you
damage a muscle, but again, not at all overpowering. One night it got
pretty bad though so I went to a late night NHS direct clinic to see a
nurse. Again although my pulse and blood pressure were slightly up,
they couldn't find a lot else wrong and suggested it might be Anxiety.
Does this sound about right to you? Although I have no major emotional
stresses, I would be willing to accept the symptoms themselves may be
getting me into this kind of cycle. I keep convinving myself that its a
serious problem (probably heart related) although I'm only 27 and not
overweight. Last time it only lasted a couple of days though and it has
been a few weeks so far.
What leads me to think its anxiety is that if I excersise, I actually
feel a bit better after which helps me think my heart is OK. Also if my
mind is busy on work or other things, I don't notice the symptoms. Also
if I am at the pub or having a few alcholic drinks I don't notice it
either.
Any advice greatfully recieved! As I say I am going to see the doctor
again, just wondering if this was similar to some of your experiences.
Answer:
Yes, I think you're right in saying that any anxiety symptoms you're having
are being triggered by your physical symptoms, which could be stress
related.
This is backed up by the fact that if your mind is occupied or if you
consume alcohol then you don't notice the physical symptoms. So maybe they
are being brought on by tense muscles.
If you look at the posts on here and go to the link that Jackie posts on
muscle relaxation exercises, then try these out when you feel the pain and
see if it disappears, you could find out if tension is the cause. If it is,
then the relaxation exercises may well be all that you need. Post back if
you have trouble finding the link, and also if you try them and get a
result, one way or another.
As you've been checked out physically, it's fairly certain that you don't
have a heart problem, so you can rest easy on that one. Good luck and let us
know how you get on.
BREATHING EXERCISES:
Here are several types of intentional breathing exercises.
It is important to be aware of your breathing, and be able to switch
in to abdominal breathing for all of them, so I suggest you become
comfortable with "relaxing breath" first. While breathing exercises
can be learned quickly, it often takes months of practice to realize
the full benefits of them, so don't give up!
Breathing exercises are important for meditation magick and healing.
Breath is used by many mental health professionals as a healing
technique for such conditions as anxiety, panic attacks, phobias,
depression and stress symptoms such as tension headaches, tight
muscles, irritability and fatigue. It is also great for PMS! :)
Basic Natural Breathing:
Sit, stand or lie comfortably with your back in a good posture.
Slumping forward inhibits your ability to breathe deeply and fully.
Identify anything that is stressing or worrying you. Only think about
this for a few seconds, then let it all go. Imagine the tension taking
flight like a flock of doves soaring into the sky. Hear their wings
flapping as your worries leave you, lighter, freer.
Consciously relax your arms and shoulders. Place one hand on your
abdomen.
Slowly exhale through your nose, expelling all the air you can without
strain.
Take a deep breath, filling first your abdomen, then your chest. Feel
your abdomen inflate like a soft balloon, but not distend.
Exhale slowly through your nose again.
Repeat this, being cognizant of each breath until your breathing is
steady and natural feeling.
Notice how relaxed you have become. You are ready to proceed with
grounding and centering, meditation, more advanced breathing exercises
(below) or other
activities.
Tension Release Breathing:
Do not let yourself think about any worries or anxiety provoking
issues while doing this exercise. If the thoughts creep in, stop them
by re-focusing on the breathing and counting.
Begin breathing deeply, filling your abdomen first, then your chest.
Sit quietly, scan your body for tension, and consciously tell any
tense muscles to relax (tension often accumulates in shoulders, neck
and back).
Inhale deeply through your nose, pause, then exhale, count one.
Repeat, counting your exhalations to five.
Begin again, counting exhalations one to five.
Continue this exercise 5-10 minutes.
You should be relaxed and the anxiety or tension greatly diminished.
Purifying Breath:
This breathing exercise is used to tone your respiratory system and to
send renewed energy to your whole body. If you have been sitting and
feeling stagnant, this one will reawaken you. It can be used as part
of a pre-ritual cleansing as well.
Sit or stand comfortably.
Inhale a complete, natural breath through your nose.
Hold the breath for a few seconds.
Pretend you have a straw in your mouth, and exhale a short burst of
air forcefully, through the small opening. Stop, then do it again.
With each puff out, visualize an pollutants, negativity and
detrimental germs going with the air, and falling harmlessly to the
floor.
Repeat until you have emptied your lungs via these short, strong
puffs.
Inhale, visualizing pure, cleansing air entering your body, filling
you with purity.
Repeat about 6-10 times.
Energizing Breath:
Stand comfortably.
Stretch several times, reaching higher each time.
Trigger your yawn reflex while stretching.
Begin breathing deeply and naturally, as above.
Spin your arms backward, all the way around.
Switch directions, spinning them forward.
This will re-energize you!
Healing Breath:
Lie comfortably.
Practice natural breathing for a few minutes.
Place your dominant hand on the part of the body that is injured or
infected. Place your other hand (receptive) on your abdomen.
Visualize energy flowing into you with each inhalation, filling a
reservoir in your solar plexus. Imagine this energy flowing into the
selected area, washing through it, driving out the pain or infection.
Cleansing, purifying, disinfecting energy being drawn from the
universe and being channeled into healing light.
Continue this until your feel ready to be finished.
Place both arms at your sides, palms turned downward and let the
excess energy in you hands flow back into the surface/ground beneath
you.
This exercise may be repeated as needed.
