Relieve Chronic Stress With Chiropractic Care

Man stressed out at work

How Chronic Stress Can Cause Body Pain

Stress and anxiety aren't just mental health issues. If you feel stressed or anxious much of the time, you may be more likely to develop high blood pressure, diabetes, acid reflux, or other conditions. Chronic stress can also affect your muscles and joints, causing pain and inflammation.

4 Painful Symptoms or Conditions Caused or Worsened by Stress

Fifty-five percent of Americans report feeling stressed during the day, according to the American Stress Institute. That's no surprise considering how busy our lives are in the 21st century. Although stress is a part of life, it's much more than just a nuisance. In fact, chronic stress can cause these symptoms and conditions:

  • Headaches and Migraines. Have you noticed that the muscles in your neck, face, shoulders, and upper back tighten when you're worried or stressed? If the muscles remain tight for a prolonged period of time, you may be more likely to develop tension headaches or migraines.
  • Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ). Tight jaw muscles can cause or worsen TMJ, a condition that affects the hinge joints on either side of your jaw. In addition to pain, TMJ can cause jaw stiffness, clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing your mouth, difficulty chewing, temporary jaw locking, and ear pain.
  • Back and Neck Pain. Tight muscles can eventually pull on the vertebrae in your back, causing a subluxation, or spinal misalignment. Misalignments may also occur due to falls, lifting heavy items, or poor posture. Subluxations may weaken nearby muscles, making it easier to strain them. If bones or muscles press on nerves, you may experience pain that radiates to your arms or legs.
  • Stomach Pain. Heartburn and stomach pain are common stress complaints. Thirty-five to 70 percent of people experience functional gastrointestinal disorders at some point in their lives, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Functional gastrointestinal disorders cause pain, bloating, and other symptoms yet aren't related to any physical causes. If you already have gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or another ailment, stress can worsen your condition.

Chronic stress can cause inflammation throughout your body, irritate your nerves, and even affect blood circulation. When you're stressed, your body increases its production of a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol, known as the "fight or flight" hormone, helps you prepare to face a challenge or run away from danger. Over time, your cortisol level can drop too low if you're constantly stressed. A low cortisone level can decrease your pain threshold and make it more difficult to manage pain.

Your Chiropractor Can Ease Your Painful Symptoms and Help You Lower Your Stress Level

Prescription medications are certainly effective in reducing stress but may cause unpleasant side effects. If you're looking for a drug-free way to control your stress, chiropractic offers the perfect solution.

Spinal manipulations, or adjustments, realign your spine, correcting subluxations. Realigning your spine also helps ease muscle tension and reduces pressure on nerves, ligaments, and tendons.

Improving blood flow, one of the benefits of chiropractic treatment, promotes healing of painful areas and may also help your brain reset itself after a stressful day.

Stomach pain, indigestion, and heartburn may occur if your nerve function is affected due to subluxations. Realigning your spine improves nerve function, which may help you reduce stress-related stomach pain.

Soft tissue mobilization and massage, two chiropractic therapies, loosen tight muscles and get rid of painful knots in your muscles. These therapies also trigger the production of serotonin and endorphin, two hormones that reduce stress and help you feel calm and relaxed.

If stress-related headaches and migraines are a common problem, regular chiropractic sessions can help you keep pain under control and reduce the number of headaches you experience every month.

Treatments are just as effective for back and neck pain caused by stress. In addition to performing spinal manipulations and other treatments, your chiropractor can also teach you exercises that will help you improve your posture and reduce the effects of stress on your body. He or she may also recommend stress relief techniques and dietary changes that will enhance your physical and mental health.

Sources:

American Stress Institute: 42 Worrying Workplace Stress Statistics, 3/25/19

Physical Therapy: Chronic Stress, Cortisol Dysfunction, and Pain: A Psychoneuroendocrine Rationale for Stress Management in Pain Rehabilitation, 12/14

The American Institute of Stress: 50 Common Signs and Symptoms of Stress

U.S. News & World Report: Surprise: Chiropractors Can Treat These 5 Conditions, 11/30/15

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  • "Dr. Goodman is a miracle worker! He has been our chiropractor of choice for over 10+ years. Dr. Goodman is friendly and knowledgeable. He listens and sincerely cares about his patients’ needs. I highly recommend him for any of your chiropractic needs."
    ANGELA WALKER
  • "Dr. Goodman is the best chiropractor that I've ever had! I love coming here he takes care of me very well and his receptionist is awesome as well. I love Goodman chiropractic!"
    SHANE BUNDY
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    ASHLEY GIBSON
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    MELISSA HOYT
  • "After two weeks of visits, I feel 15 years younger!

    Back pain is pretty much gone and I feel so much better.

    Dr. Goodman is an expert and true professional at his craft.

    I've been visiting for lower back pain, but they can help with so much more. Give their office a call if you are considering a chiropractor."
    PARKER MCCUMBER
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    TOMMY THOMSON
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    BRIAN
  • "We love going to the chiropractor!!! My children who are 11 and 9 look forward to going as well. Dr goodman is the best. I've been to several chiropractors, they all just end up hurting me and I never want to go back. He has helped not only my neck and lower back feel better, but my whole body as well. If you need to see a chiropractor, go see someone else; because Dr Goodman is all MINE!!! 😁😁😁. OH, and I can not forget his LOVELY receptionist Chiska she is AWESOMESAUSE πŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œ My children love her as well."
    REBECCA TREJO
  • "I love that Dr. Goodman does his job well and doesn't require any other unnecessary treatments. He's honest and easy to work with. He listens to you and your needs. Chiska, his secretary, is great as well, and easy to work with."
    AVALLE FAMILY
  • "I am a new patient of Dr. Goodman and I highly recommend him. He is very professional and I really appreciate him explaining all my questions and concerns. He was really great and the office is beautiful and clean. His staff is great too. Very friendly and helpful."
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  • "Nice place, Dr Goodman is funny and very personable, my wife is getting adjustments and feeling better with each visit"
    SCOTT NELSON
  • "I've been going to Goodman Chiropractic for many years. I feel that he keeps me going. I have chronic back pain and his adjustments help me function well. He knows what he is doing. He is a professional with a great sense of humor. He is cares about me and about my health. Chiska manages the office and runs it very efficiently. She has a great personality and a ready smile. I won't go anywhere else. I highly recommend him too anyone who is looking for Chiropractic services."
    MICKI DELALOZA