LOOK at the “RELEASE”!
Neuropeptides Release Stress and Promote Relaxation
Sports Therapy Releases Muscle Spasms and Promotes Fitness
Most equestrians have seen IT live or on social media videos.
The IT I am referring to is the response given by a horse when it receives a series of light, pleasant, touches from an equine bodyworker:
The horse stands still, relaxes, lowers the head and neck, the eyes are soft and partially closed and the horse licks and chews.
Then the bodyworker and the owner exclaim, “Oh look at the “Release”!”
So, what exactly is IT?
We can all agree that the horse is relaxed and that is a good thing.
IT is a neuropeptide response.
Neuropeptides are small protein-like molecules that play a crucial role in transmitting signals in the brain and throughout the body. They are chemical messengers that play a crucial role in transmitting sensations, including pleasant touch, from the skin to the brain.
Neuropeptides will modulate the activity of other neurotransmitters and have diverse effects on behaviors and physiological processes. This interaction can affect stress levels and overall well-being in both humans and animals. Specifically, the neuropeptide prokinecticin 2 (PROK2) is essential for encoding the sensation of pleasant touch.
Candace Pert was a neuroscientist who did extensive early research on the neuropeptides. She was the first to identify and call them the ‘molecules of emotion
In the context of her book, “Molecules of Emotion,” they are described as key messengers that connect emotions to various bodily functions. Neuropeptides, chemical messengers, released by touch, deliver crucial information that influences how individuals feel, think, and behave, influencing mental and physical health.
Touch is a powerful sensory experience that significantly influences neuropeptide activity in both humans and animals, including horses. Like humans, touch in horses will influence neuropeptide release, which may help in managing stress and anxiety.
Neuropeptides are involved in touch communication between the brain and body, affecting how humans and animals perceive and respond to tactile stimuli.
Touch can trigger the release of neuropeptides, helping to reduce stress levels and promote relaxation. Physical hand contact, such as grooming or massage, can lower cortisol levels and activate circuits in the brain that influence behaviors and emotions.
Regular, positive massage touch techniques can significantly influence neuropeptide activity and enhance overall emotional well-being.
As in humans’ response to “release” of neuropeptides thru touch, horses also respond thru pleasant touch. The horse’s relaxation of head and neck, slow chewing, soft closing eyes, are often referred as a “release”.
Unfortunately, well intentioned, but mis-informed, bodyworkers and owners want to believe that this “Release” is all that is required to achieve a healing of any deep physical soft tissue injuries, spasms and scar tissue that the horse may have.
I emphasize with clarity that lighter touch stimulates neuropeptides, but will NOT resolve deeper physical stress of muscle, tendon, ligament and enthesis, constrictions of the soft tissue.
These issues only respond to therapeutic massage techniques such as deep massage, medical massage or sports massage.
Any touch with good intention promotes wellness.
All massage roads lead to Rome thru neuropeptides.
However, when it comes to muscle spasms, “RELEASE” does not mean “RESOLVED”.
