Chronic Stress and Autoimmune Diseases

From the Author

I was pleasantly surprised to see that my January 24th workshop sold out. Thank you very much for your interest. I am confident this will be an absolutely unique seminar.

Chronic stress–related illnesses produce a wide range of symptoms that overlap multiple syndromes and conditions. Over the past several years, I have successfully developed and combined protocols for myofascial mobilization, TMJ dysfunction, acceleration of cerebrospinal fluid drainage, tension headache techniques, and approaches to dizziness into one integrated, technically precise methodology for addressing chronic stress–related disorders.

It took me four years of clinical observation and outcome reproduction before I began writing and teaching this material. This seminar will be presented as a master class, where I will share my clinical mastery. It is appropriate to refer to this work as Prilutsky’s methodology for addressing complex chronic stress–related illnesses™.

In a single class, you will learn multiple protocols that can be applied to individual cases such as tension headaches, dizziness, cognitive decline, and related conditions. The next step will likely be the development of a detailed webinar series and possibly additional live classes.

Please click the link below and then select the seminar registration button. https://www.medicalmassage-edu.com/

By subscribing, you will receive notifications about upcoming classes. Thank you again for your interest—I look forward to seeing you at one of my presentations.

A general overview of chronic stress–related illnesses is available in the article linked below.

https://www.medicalmassage-edu.com/blog/pandemic-stress-neurocognitive-somatic-dysfunction.htm

If you have not yet had the opportunity to read it, I highly recommend doing so.

In this article, I chose to focus specifically on chronic stress and autoimmune diseases, as this topic requires special attention and clarification. Recently, I have increasingly managed autoimmune disease flare-ups secondary to what can only be described as a chronic stress explosion. This is a challenging clinical task, and I decided to share these details to help prevent practitioner burnout. Education and understanding are essential for maintaining control of the therapeutic process.

As always, you are welcome to post questions.

Best wishes,
Boris Prilutsky

Introduction: What We Are Seeing in Practice

Over the last several years, especially since the pandemic period, massage practitioners have been observing a clear and consistent pattern in clinical practice: a dramatic increase in clients presenting with chronic stress–related symptoms layered with immune dysfunction. These are not isolated complaints. They are systemic, persistent, and often resistant to single-modality approaches.

Many clients arrive with foggy brain, dizziness, headaches, sleep disturbances, muscle tension that does not resolve normally, unexplained fatigue, emotional volatility, and poor recovery. A large percentage also carry autoimmune or inflammatory diagnoses—or are in the process of being evaluated for them.

This article focuses on understanding why chronic stress is a central driver of autoimmune activity and how massage practitioners fit into an integrative, multidisciplinary model of care.

Chronic Stress Is Not Psychological Only

Chronic stress is a physiological state, not just an emotional experience. When stress becomes prolonged, the nervous system loses its ability to self-regulate. The body remains locked in survival mode.

Key systems involved include:

• The autonomic nervous system (sympathetic dominance)
• The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis
• The immune-inflammatory system

In acute stress, these systems activate and then return to baseline. In chronic stress, they do not shut off properly. This is the point where pathology begins.

Stress, Cortisol, and Immune Confusion

Cortisol is meant to regulate inflammation. In long-term stress, however, cortisol signaling becomes dysfunctional. Either cortisol remains elevated for too long or immune cells stop responding to it appropriately (glucocorticoid resistance).

The result:

• Inflammation increases instead of decreasing remain elevated
• The immune system loses precision

At this stage, the immune system may begin attacking the body’s own tissues, contributing to autoimmune processes.

Autoimmune Conditions Commonly Seen Alongside Chronic Stress

Massage practitioners frequently encounter clients with:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
• Lupus
• Multiple sclerosis
• Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndromes
• Inflammatory bowel conditions

Flares are often reported after:

• Emotional overload
• Prolonged caregiving or work stress
• Illness, infection, or sleep deprivation
• Major life changes or unresolved trauma

This is not coincidence—it is neuro-immune interaction.

Clinical Patterns Massage Practitioners Recognize

In hands-on practice, chronic stress and autoimmune activity often present as:

• Guarded tissues that do not soften predictably
• Heightened pain sensitivity
• Autonomic instability (dizziness, nausea, temperature dysregulation)
• Poor post-treatment recovery
• Cycles of improvement followed by regression

Progress is not linear. One step forward is often followed by a step back. This does not mean failure—it reflects nervous system re-patterning.

Why Massage Therapy Matters in Autoimmune Care

Massage therapy directly influences:

• Parasympathetic activation
• Vagal tone
• Circulatory and lymphatic flow
• Interoceptive awareness

When applied appropriately, massage helps shift the body out of survival physiology. This does not “cure” autoimmune disease, but it creates the internal environment necessary for regulation and healing.

However, aggressive or non-individualized techniques can worsen symptoms in chronically stressed or autoimmune clients. Listening, pacing, and adapting are essential clinical skills.

The Need for an Integrative, Multidisciplinary Approach

Autoimmune and chronic stress–related disorders cannot be managed by one modality alone.

Effective care involves:

• Medical providers managing immune activity
• Mental health professionals addressing emotional and cognitive load
• Massage therapists regulating the nervous system
• Lifestyle and sleep interventions
• Patient education and self-regulation strategies

Massage practitioners are not peripheral—they are central contributors to nervous system recovery.

Practitioner Responsibility and Sustainability

As practitioners, we carry responsibility not only for our clients but also for ourselves. Chronic exposure to stressed nervous systems can lead to burnout and compassion fatigue.

Longevity in practice requires:

• Clear boundaries
• Proper training in stress physiology
• Ongoing education
• Respect for limits—both client and practitioner

Spiritual and personal development are part of this process, but growth does not happen in one step. Sustainable practice evolves over time.

Conclusion

Chronic stress is a major biological driver of autoimmune activity and multisystem dysfunction. Massage practitioners are uniquely positioned to influence this process by supporting nervous system regulation within an integrative care model.

Understanding stress physiology allows practitioners to work more safely, effectively, and sustainably—benefiting both clients and themselves.

Selected Research References

These references are provided to support the clinical concepts discussed in this article without requiring deep academic interpretation. They reflect well-established findings in stress physiology, neuro-immune interaction, and chronic inflammatory conditions.

1. McEwen, B. S. (1998). Protective and damaging effects of stress mediators. New England Journal of Medicine.
   – Foundational work explaining how chronic stress shifts from adaptive to harmful and disrupts immune balance.
2. Miller, G. E., Chen, E., & Zhou, E. S. (2007). If it goes up, must it come down? Chronic stress and the HPA axis in humans. Psychological Bulletin.
   – Explains cortisol dysregulation and why inflammation increases under long-term stress.
3. Dhabhar, F. S. (2014). Effects of stress on immune function. Annual Review of Psychology.
   – Clear overview of how stress alters immune signaling and increases inflammatory responses.
4. Slavich, G. M., & Irwin, M. R. (2014). From stress to inflammation and major disease. Psychological Bulletin.
   – Links chronic stress directly to inflammatory and autoimmune-related disease processes.
5. Bower, J. E., et al. (2011). Fatigue and inflammatory biology. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.
   – Relevant to chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune-associated exhaustion commonly seen in practice.
6. Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory.
   – Provides the neurophysiological basis for why manual therapy and safe touch influence autonomic regulation.
7. Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., et al. (2015). Chronic stress and age-related increases in inflammation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
   – Demonstrates how stress accelerates inflammatory processes across systems.
8. Koopman, F. A., et al. (2016). Vagus nerve stimulation inhibits cytokine production. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
   – Supports the role of parasympathetic activation in reducing inflammation.

How to Use These References

Massage practitioners do not need to memorize these studies. Their value is in reinforcing that what is observed clinically—nonlinear healing, flares during stress, nervous system sensitivity—is well supported by research. This evidence strengthens interdisciplinary communication with physicians and other healthcare providers.