Alcohol Abuse Advice

Chiropractic: It’s Not Just About Your Neck & Back ? It’s About Your Life!

It starts with an upset stomach. Or maybe it’s those headaches. Your muscles feel stiff and your back is tight. It might also be something unexpected, like nervous twitches or allergic reactions. Whatever the response may be, your nervous system is involved and stress is the source. Stress can manifest itself in a variety of mental and physical illnesses.  Learning how to manage that stress has become as important as any other medical treatment in a person’s life.

As stated above, headaches, nausea and back pain are common symptoms of stress.  Larger problems in the body like ulcers, high blood pressure, and lack of sleep may occur if these symptoms are not addressed. It is astounding how many people are unaware of how they are directly tied to stress. 

Stress generally comes from outside sources that can be both positive and negative. People will usually think of things like financial difficulties or work-related issues as primary stressors, but things like pregnancy and marriage can also contribute to your stress load.

Periodic spikes in stress can be troubling, but it is the type of stress that lasts over extended periods of time that needs to be addressed. This type of “chronic” event can suppress the immune system, and subsequently interfere with the central nervous system.  

Your body has ways to combat stress internally. When something stressful happens, your nervous system secretes epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) into your bloodstream. This helps your body deal with the current situation. This stress can cause changes in your body where the pathways are obstructed. 

The role of a Doctor of Chiropractic in stress management focuses on the nervous system.  The spinal column houses the nervous system and is the place where it all begins.  If the spinal column is out of alignment, the nerves that stretch out through the body are affected. Normal biological activity can be hindered. Stress also interferes with the spinal column by creating additional pressure on the body. Over time, this could cause the body to wear out.  

To help balance the function of your nervous system chiropractors remove interferences caused by the Vertebral Subluxation Complex or spinal joint dysfunction. Adjusting these “weak links” in your spine help restore better fluidity and function in your body and can make a profound difference in response to stress. Chiropractic manipulation can also reduce muscle tension and increase your range of motion, allowing your body to flow more freely. 

A chiropractor can also teach various relaxation techniques and exercises to reduce stress the body deals with at home.  A balanced diet and good nutrition are also keys to good stress management as well.

Let’s be clear here for a second. Doctors of Chiropractic can not cure stress. By balancing the nervous system, it removes interference inside the body and allows it to adapt to stress. This is a collaborative effort and the patient must play an active role in this process as well in order for it to be effective.

A study published in April 2009 by The Journal of Clinical Oncology stated that stress management can improve a person’s mood and quality of life.  Those who used stress management techniques had a better chance of feeling positive and living a more fulfilling life.  

Credit card debt, mortgage payments and the piles of laundry at home will not go away. Chiropractors cannot change these life circumstances, but we can help you adapt to stress more efficiently so that it doesn’t negatively impact your physiology and cause health problems.  

For further information about this topic, please contact Dr. Lynn Kerew directly at [email protected] or visit her website at http://www.lynnkerew.com.