Anxiety and stress frequently attack the weak spots of the spine, and it is the
spine that can cause general muscular tension, headaches, migraine, neck pain
and back pain. This pain can then aggravate the stress and anxiety and so
chiropractic treatment is aimed at relieving any physical complaints which will
in turn help with the mental conditions.
The effects of stress on your health can be far-reaching. Some of the conditions
often associated with stress include insomnia, high blood pressure, tension
headaches, anxiety, depression, decreased mental function, and drug or alcohol
abuse. Stress is known to cause changes in the body's chemistry, altering the
balance of hormones in our systems in ways that can lower our resistance to
disease. As a result, we can become more susceptible to flu, colds, and other
types of illness. Too much stress sometimes brings on outbreaks of cold sores
or genital herpes for people who carry these viruses in their systems. Other
chronic diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, inflammatory bowel
disease, and rheumatoid arthritis may also flare up during times of stress.
If it's possible to avoid situations that cause you to feel tense, unhappy, or
worn down, that's obviously to your benefit. However, it isn't always possible
to live a stress-free existence. Work deadlines, family demands, relationship
problems, traffic jams, missed appointments, forgotten birthdays, personality
conflicts, college exams, and many more, can be sources of stress. Furthermore,
though most of us associate stress with unpleasant events, even wonderful
events in our lives, like weddings, vacations, and holidays, can be genuinely
stressful.
Not everyone responds to these situations by getting "stressed out." There are
those apparently unflappable folks whose pulse rate wouldn't even go up during
an earthquake, and then there are those for whom being five minutes late
constitutes reason for a state of total panic. How you manage the stress in
your life can determine the impact it will have on you.
There are many different methods of dealing with stress. The basics for good
health that we all know (but often forget) help in coping with stress: Eating a
balanced diet and getting adequate rest help your body adapt and respond to the
events in your life. Ironically, stress can interfere with your ability to take
care of yourself in this way. When you're worrying so much you can't sleep,
getting adequate rest becomes impossible. Stress can affect your eating habits
too. So what else can you do?
That's where we come in. Regular treatment with chiropractic care and
massage therapy can help your body work more efficiently so that you can handle
the other problems life throws your way.
