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Chiropractic Care for Stress

Published Date: 
November 23, 2022
Categories:
A man is sitting at his desk, looking extremely stressed.

Stress induces a myriad of physical symptoms. Chiropractic care can help relieve stress in the body and mind.

How Chiropractic Care Helps Relieve Stress

If you're looking for a natural way to relieve stress, you may want to consider seeing a chiropractor. Chiropractic care is a drug-free and surgery-free way to treat various conditions, including stress.

How Stress Affects Your Overall Health

Most people know that stress can harm their health, but many don't realize just how significant that impact can be. Stress has been linked to a wide range of health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and even depression.

When you're under stress, your body produces hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones help you deal with a dangerous situation by giving you a burst of energy. But if they're produced constantly, they can have harmful effects on your body.

Cortisol, for example, can increase blood sugar levels and promote fat storage. It can also suppress the immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. Adrenaline can raise your heart rate and blood pressure, which can strain your heart and lead to an increased risk of heart disease.

Stress can also make it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle. When you're under constant stress, you may be more likely to make unhealthy choices, such as eating junk food or skipping exercise. This can lead to weight gain, which can further contribute to health problems.

Stress wreaks havoc on:

  • Blood pressure
  • Immune system
  • Existing health conditions
  • Digestive system
  • Mental health

If you're constantly feeling stressed, it's important to find ways to manage your stress levels. Exercise, relaxation techniques, chiropractic care, and counseling can help reduce stress. And if you're dealing with a lot of stress, it may be worth talking to your doctor about medication.

Types of Stress

Four types of stress can affect our health: physical, emotional, cognitive, and social.

Physical stress results from physical demands on our body, such as an injury or illness. Emotional stress is caused by a difficult life event, such as the death of a loved one. Demanding mental tasks, such as taking a test, cause cognitive stress. Social stress is caused by demands on our social life, such as having to give a speech.

While all four types of stress can be harmful to our health, emotional and cognitive stress are more likely to lead to long-term health problems.

The Physical Symptoms of Stress

There are a variety of physical symptoms that can be associated with stress. These symptoms can vary from person to person and may even change over time. However, some common physical symptoms of stress include: 

  • Headaches
  • Muscle tension or pain
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Upset stomach or gastrointestinal problems
A woman is covering her face with her hands because is is very stressed.

The Impact of Chronic Stress on Your Health

Here are some of the ways chronic stress can affect your health:

Immune System

Chronic stress can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness and infection. When you're stressed, your body releases a hormone known as cortisol. Cortisol suppresses the immune system, making you more vulnerable to colds, flu, and other illnesses.

Risk of Heart Disease

Chronic stress can also increase your risk of heart disease. When you're stressed, your heart rate increases and your blood pressure rises. This puts a strain on your heart and can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Digestion

Chronic stress can also disrupt your digestion. When you're stressed, your body produces more stomach acid than normal. This can lead to indigestion, heartburn, and other digestive problems.

Anxiety and Depression

Chronic stress can also cause or worsen anxiety and depression. When you're constantly under stress, it's difficult to relax and enjoy life. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.

Weight Gain

Chronic stress can also make you gain weight. When you're stressed, your body releases a hormone known as cortisol. Cortisol can increase your appetite and make you crave sugary, fatty foods. This can lead to weight gain and obesity.

Sleep

Chronic stress can also affect your sleep. When you're stressed, it's difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. This can lead to fatigue and insomnia.

Risk of Disease

Chronic stress can also increase your risk of developing diseases, such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes. Stress can damage the cells and lead to the development of these diseases.

Skin

Chronic stress can also affect your skin. When you're stressed, your body produces more cortisol. Cortisol can increase your oil production and lead to acne.

Aging

Chronic stress can also make you age faster. When you're constantly under stress, your body produces more of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol can break down collagen, the protein that keeps your skin looking young and healthy. This can lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging.

Reproductive Health

Chronic stress can also affect your reproductive health. When you're stressed, your body produces more of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol can interfere with the production of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. This can lead to fertility problems, irregular periods, and other reproductive issues.

If you're constantly under stress, it's important to find ways to relax and reduce your stress levels. There are many ways to do this, including exercise, relaxation techniques, and counseling.

Stress and Muscle Tension

When we experience stress, our bodies go into fight-or-flight mode. This is a natural response that helps us to deal with perceived threats. However, when we're constantly stressed, our bodies remain in this heightened state, which can lead to muscle tension.

Muscle tension is often felt as pain or stiffness in the neck, shoulders, or back. It can also cause headaches. Muscle tension is a common problem, and it can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, poor posture, repetitive motions, and cardiovascular disease.

You can do several things to relieve muscle tension, including relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation, massage therapy, and chiropractic treatment.

How Stress Affects the Spine

Stress can take a toll on your spine in several ways. For one, it can lead to muscle tension and poor posture. This can cause the spine to become misaligned, leading to pain and other problems. Additionally, stress can contribute to decreased blood flow to the spine, making it more susceptible to injury. In severe cases, stress can even lead to degenerative changes in the spine. It is important to manage stress to protect your overall health, but it is also important to be aware of the ways that it can specifically impact your spine.

I chiropractor is treating a woman for symptoms of stress.

Can a Chiropractor Help With Stress?

Yes, a chiropractor can help with stress. When you are stressed, your body is in a constant state of fight-or-flight, which puts a lot of strain on your nervous system. This can lead to headaches, neck pain, and other issues. Chiropractic care can relieve this stress and tension by aligning the spine and correcting imbalances in the nervous system. This can help you to feel more relaxed and less stressed.

Why You Should Consider Chiropractic Care for Stress Relief

Chiropractic care works by adjusting the spine and other joints in the body to reduce pain and improve function. It can also improve your overall sense of well-being.

There are many different types of chiropractic care and the approach that a chiropractor takes depends on the specific condition being treated. However, all forms of chiropractic care share the same goal: to reduce pain and improve function.

Conclusion

Chronic stress can have a major impact on your health. It can lead to many problems, including anxiety, depression, and even heart disease. If you're constantly under stress, your body never gets a chance to relax and repair itself. This can lead to many health problems, both mental and physical.

Dr. Eric Neumann D.C.

Dr. Eric Neumann grew up in Alberta, Canada where he majored in Chemistry at the University of Calgary. During his time at University, he obtained licensure as a Massage Therapist. It was clear that hands-on healing would be his calling. After suffering multiple sport-related injuries he became interested in Chiropractic. Dr. Neumann graduated from Western States Chiropractic College in 2009. He has since specialized in the treatment and management of acute spinal injuries.

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