Page 340 - Total War on PTSD Final

moment, it may or may not be a good idea to touch them, but if intuition says to touch, a light but firm static touch may be best, being careful not to startle. Any issues that come up for them during our session, I encourage them to discuss with their counselor.
People suffering with PTS are often stuck in, or too easily switched into, the Sympathetic mode of the Central Nervous System, commonly referred to as “fight/flight/freeze” mode. In this state, which is essential for survival in a dangerous situation, stress neurotransmitters and hormones are released to prepare the body to respond. When the danger is over, the body should shift back into Parasympathetic mode, also known as “rest/digest/heal” mode. This is the state we need to be in to absorb nutrients, get restorative sleep, and rebuild body tissues. If a person stays in Sympathetic mode chronically or enters it too often, there can be damage to the body and brain from the prolonged exposure to the stress hormones. This can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, mood disorders, kidney damage, diabetes, impaired immunity, etc.
It is important to let the body and mind experience the Parasympathetic state so that a person can learn how it feels and can find ways to get there more often. Massage therapy can be very effective at bringing a person into this state, and helping them relax and feel at ease, so that it becomes a more normal state of being. We are hard wired to enter the fight or flight state more easily, since it is critical for survival in a dangerous world, but we need to be able to switch into relaxation mode when possible for long term health and well-being.
Many of my clients at the Veterans’ retreats suffer from insomnia, anxiety, hyper- vigilance, and depression. We have found that MFR, aside from the physical effects of
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