Stress is still a major issue in the United States and has a detrimental impact on overall health. Sources of stress vary from person to person, but the most commonly reported causes of stress are money, work, the economy, family responsibilities, relationships and health concerns.
Chiropractic care can help combat the symptoms of stress.
Stress and Overall Health
The most common symptoms of stress are feeling irritable, angry, overwhelmed, anxious, fatigued and depressed. When under stress, different areas of the body are affected. Here’s a snapshot of some of the effects:
Musculoskeletal system: Muscles tense up and contract/tighten under stress, causing headaches, migraines and other conditions
Respiratory system: High stress can cause rapid breath, or hyperventilation, and trigger panic attacks
Cardiovascular system: Acute stress can increase heart rate and inflammation in the coronary arteries, potentially increasing risk of stroke.
Endocrine system: While stressed, the adrenal glands produce cortisol (a hormone that can also cause increase in belly fat), increasing risk of heart disease and diabetes
Nervous system: Under stress, the body will act as though it’s under threat. This reaction is an innate response that has been occurring for millions of years. When the mind perceives a threat or the body experiences a shock, the body releases hormones that boost the ability to either “fight” or flee (“flight”).
Most modern humans don’t experience the same hazards our ancestors encountered, but this natural response has now transformed to reactions to modern day stresses—work, deadlines, traffic, illness, arguments, kids etc.
Combating Stress with Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is essential to healthy function of the nervous system, which contains the brain and spinal cord. Chiropractic adjustments activate the parasympathetic system, which calms the “fight or flight” reaction triggered in the sympathetic system. This calming/rest of the nervous system can also reduce blood pressure research has shown.