An Overview of Contemporary Work in the Field of Stress and Tension Control

Abstract

“Stress” and “Tension” are internationally recognized words. Their omnipresence in our public media — in our newspapers, on TV, in magazines, and on radio — as well as in our everyday conversations indicate that we are well aware of the problems of over-tenseness. Pulp newspapers and magazines increase their sales with promises of quick relief for stress and tension problems. Business executives complain at the end of the day of being “uptight”,and often accept a hotel chain’s invitation to “unwind” at their bar. Soap operas attract large audiences, in part by capitalizing on tension problems — irritable arguments between husband and wife seem interminable. Indeed, the entire world is aware of the need for stress management. Such widespread needs invite varied “solutions”, with the most attractive appearing ones offering promises of easy relief, with minimal cost. Those who suffer headaches, spastic colon, “essential hypertension”, back pains, phobias and anxiety are especial sensitized to tension disorders and potential cures. Organizations such as The International Stress and Tension-Control Society are dedicated to the elimination of such tension problems. Our first priority is the immediate application of tension control principles that now exist, and secondly to encourage scientific research to further develop our methods. Eventually the public can practice only those technics of tension control that have sound scientific and clinical validation; this can be accomplished in part by the objective measurement through electromyography of the tension that is the reaction to stress.