BODY STRESS RELEASE is a gentle, non-therapeutic complementary health technique now available in Northern Ireland. The procedure uses a series of light, precise stimulation to encourage the body to release stored tensions that can manifest as backache, headaches, postural distortions or fatigue in a person's body. (Refer to next page for further information.) WHERE DID BODY STRESS RELEASE ORIGINATE? Body Stress Release (BSR) was developed in South Africa by Ewald and Gail Meggersee and has been researched and practiced since 1981. In 1988 the BSR Association was formed and along with its constitution ensures a professional standard among all BSR practitioners. STRESS AND HEALTH We are constantly subjected to various forms of stress in our daily lives. A certain amount is necessary, to provide us with challenges, and to stimulate us to strive for survival and to make progress in our daily lives. The body is self-healing and its mechanisms allow constant monitoring of every function taking place to allow us to adapt to our external influences and stresses and make appropriate internal changes and adaptations as required. Certain stress factors will cause a temporary reduction of the body's efficiency, or health, e.g. a strained muscle will be stiff and painful for a few days; then it will return to its normal condition. The body is capable of healing wounds and fractures, counteracting harmful chemicals, adapting to sudden changes in temperature, etc. STRESS OVERLOAD OF THE BODY Stress becomes a negative, destructive factor in life when it goes beyond your own body's ability to adapt to it. "Overload" occurs when physical tensions, instead of being naturally released from the body, become stored within it as "Body Stress". Individuals differ in their emotional and physical makeup and also their susceptibility to stress overload.