77% of people say that stress affects their physical health and 73% say that stress affects their mental health. Chiropractic care is an excellent way to care for the body when it is under stress. However, it is often not considered, and other treatments are chosen. Let’s take a look at the benefits of chiropractic care for stress.
Stress and the Body
Stress is frequently referred to as the body’s “fight or flight” reaction to a perceived threat. This is initially beneficial since it causes the production of adrenaline, which aids in our ability to reason appropriately and resolve stressful circumstances. The issue arises when we continue to experience stress, which develops into chronic stress over time.
Health issues arise when your stress levels are raised for an extended length of time. Additionally, it leads to a great deal of strain on your body, which frequently causes chronic pain. Common symptoms of stress include:
- Feelings of overwhelm
- Low energy
- Persistent worry
- Inability to relax or sleep well
- Change of appetite-either eating too much or too little
- Symptoms of anxiety and depression
- Chronic pain
This is not an exhaustive list of all the symptoms of stress. Stress affects individuals differently, and its side effects will vary from person to person.
Now, let’s take a look at how getting chiropractic adjustments can help benefit your body when you are feeling stressed.
Increases Positive Hormones
Our body creates all hormones for a purpose, so there aren’t any hormones that are truly more “positive.” However, some hormones do cause us to feel more positive, relaxed, or happy. Studies show that after a chiropractic adjustment, patients were found to have an increase in the hormones oxytocin and neurotensin.
Oxytocin causes a person to feel more bonded with the individuals around them and even causes a surge of positive emotions. Neurotensin can help your body neutralize pain that is caused by your stress.
Encourages Better Sleep
When stress has you feeling down, most often, your sleep quality is not good. Tossing and turning, anxious thoughts, and even heart palpitations can keep you from getting the sleep you need when you are experiencing stress.
Chiropractic care aims to heal you from the inside out, starting with your nervous system. As you begin to receive regular chiropractic adjustments, it helps your body’s communication system become more responsive. This can help you feel more relaxed, ease tension throughout your body, and even aid insomnia.
Sleep is key to helping you overcome stress. Since little to no sleep causes stress and stress prevents sleep, it becomes a vicious cycle that chiropractic care may help you stop!
Relieves Tension
When you’re stressed, you might feel lots of aches and pains. It is also common for stress to cause tension headaches. However, chiropractic care can help! Spinal adjustments help the spine and nervous system to function optimally. This helps relieve the pressure and strain in your body which allows you to feel less pain.
Promotes Self-Care
It isn’t common for individuals to think of an appointment with a chiropractor as a self-care date. However, it is a great way to take care of yourself, especially when you are feeling stressed. While a chiropractic adjustment is different than getting a massage, it does help you unwind. Chiropractors take great care with their patients and approach the body holistically. Having a practitioner that genuinely cares about you and your health will help put your mind at ease.
If you are dealing with stress, chiropractic adjustments are an excellent way to help get your body out of the fight-or-flight zone. Consider making an appointment today!
Contact Us
At Better Day Chiropractic, we’re dedicated to serving you throughout your pregnancy and postpartum recovery. We also offer sports, family, and pediatric chiropractic care. If you are located in Charlotte or the surrounding areas, reach out to us today.
