Reduce stress, reduce pain. Life creates stress, and while some stress can be good, too much causes health problems. Everyone experiences stress. However, now it is becoming a new normal in today’s hectic, fast-paced, high-pressure society. Most individuals equate stress with high blood pressure, heart attacks, or stroke. However, neck and back pain, insomnia, and weight gain can be stress-related, as well. And a lot of stress can make already-existing back/neck pain worse.
73% of individuals report experiencing stress-related psychological symptoms including anxiety and depression. These are not accurate numbers because most do not seek help for their stress issues. Stress symptoms should not be taken lightly. It is important to address the symptoms and find ways to reduce stress. Chiropractic is an effective stress reliever.
Stress
Financial pressures, kids, long work weeks, and medical problems are common anxieties. Prolonged stress can become chronic, which results in muscle tension that can feel stiff, achy and uncomfortable. Stress can develop into neck or back pain.
Stress is the state of:
• Emotional
• Mental
• Pressure
• Tension
That results from difficulties, adverse situations, or extremely demanding circumstances. The very nature of stress by definition makes it very subjective. A “stressful” situation for one person might not phase another. This makes it difficult to pin down a precise definition.
More often, the term stress is more often used to describe the set of symptoms that are caused by stress and those symptoms can be as varied as the people who experience them.
Symptoms
Stress symptoms can affect the entire body physically and mentally. Common symptoms include:
• Anxiety
• Chest pain
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Irritability
• Lower back pain
• Muscle tension
• Overeating
• Headache
• Restlessness
• Sleep problems
• Unable to focus
• Undereating
Health
Technically, stress itself does not have a negative impact on health. Some individuals deal with situations that others would consider to be stressful, yet they never exhibit symptoms. This speaks to the subjective nature of stress. Different people experience different symptoms and are a combination of stress symptoms, how the person handles those symptoms that adversely affect health.
Ultimately, stress symptoms can lead to some very serious conditions including:
• Heart disease
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Cancer/s
Psychologically, it can lead to social withdrawal and social phobias and is directly linked to alcohol and drug abuse.
Tips
These can help you reduce stress, and reduce pain.
Vital Signs
• Get a medical checkup if possible through Telemedicine and talk to a doctor/therapist about your stress, along with medical history. Side effects from medications (prescription or over-the-counter), herbal products, or other supplements can cause restlessness, insomnia, and anxiety.
• Physical therapy combines pain-relieving non-invasive treatments with therapeutic exercise, posture correction, and preventive body mechanics.
• Consider conversational therapy with a stress counselor, psychologist, or support group online.
Get Moving
• Yoga and relaxation movements help reduce stress and stretch muscles. Viniyoga blends breathing and movement together to quiet body and mind. These movements are less precise and adapted to a person’s physical condition. Talk to a doctor about trying yoga or other stretches.
• Swimming combined with a sauna or steam bathing can relieve stress-induced pain.
• Take frequent stretch breaks to loosen up tight neck or back muscles.
• Go for short walks at break or lunchtime to get the circulation going.
Learn to Relax
• Kick back, put your feet up, and empty your mind of everything.
• Wrap an ice pack and hot pack (or hot water bottle) individually in towels. Apply the ice pack for 10 minutes and then the hot pack for 5 minutes. Alternate several times.
• Massage, aromatherapy and spa treatments you can do at home.
• Aromatic massage oils containing eucalyptus can help ease muscle pain.
• Meditation or visualization therapy combines meditation practices that focus on breathing and calming the mind.
• Visualization techniques combine imagery with breathing exercises.
Take Control of the Little Things
• Break up problems into smaller manageable pieces and work on resolving the easier parts first.
• Learn your limits, how to delegate responsibility and not take the entire load on your shoulders so as not to get overwhelmed.
• Allow yourself to fail, we all have to fail in order to learn in order to apply what was learned.
Eat and Drink for Life
• Make mealtime less stressful. Pick nourishing foods, eat slowly, and savor each other’s company.
• Caffeinated coffee, soda, and other drinks do not help reduce stress or promote restful sleep.
• Avoid drinking at night because it can make falling and staying asleep a challenge.
• Proper sleep or naps can help relieve stress.
Dealing with Stress Is Good for Your Back
We may not be able to control life’s stressors, but don’t let everyday demands interfere with your health. Incorporate exercise, relaxation techniques, and healthy foods to reduce stress and pain and promote stress prevention.
Reduce stress reduce pain with chiropractic
Chiropractic cannot get rid of stress, but it can help relieve stress symptoms. The more stress the body endures, the more sensitive it becomes to pain and physical imbalances. Chiropractic helps by bringing the body back into balance, aligning the spine, and relieving pain.
The simple act of aligning the spine helps relieve stress in the body that you may not even be aware of. The physical stress of a misaligned spine can exacerbate symptoms and make a person more susceptible to stressful stimuli in their environment. Chiropractic helps to improve circulation which is essential in relieving muscle tension and helps shuts down the fight or flight response allowing the body to rest and heal.
