The relationship between chronic stress and chiropractic health 

It’s no secret that stress plays a major role in health. Whether it’s that brief moment of panic when a reckless driver cuts you off, or years of accumulated pressure to exceed certain standards at work, the impact of stress on your health, especially chronic stress, can be both immediate and long-term. 

Study after study has linked stress — particularly chronic stress — to a host of medical conditions. From cardiovascular events to inflammation, the effects can be wide-reaching and severe. 

The same applies to your chiropractic health. Stress can manifest itself physically in your musculoskeletal system, including the spine. If you’ve ever experienced physical pain as a result of stress, you know this fact all too well. 

Chiropractic care and chronic stress 

Because stress often causes muscular tension, spinal misalignment and pain, there is an inherent link between high-stress individuals and lack of chiropractic care. Thankfully, this means there is a positive relationship between regular chiropractic care and the alleviation of these stress symptoms and the root causes themselves. 

This two-way relationship shared by chronic stress and chiropractic care plays out in several ways. Your DC can help you achieve a full understanding of the nuances of this dynamic and how they apply to you, but there’s a good chance the following points will act as a foundation for that conversation. 

Chronic stress and muscular tension 

One of the telltale signs of stress’ impact on the body is muscular tension. For many people, this tension will manifest in the back and neck — two areas in which doctors of chiropractic specialize. The negative impact of stress and the resulting muscular tension does not stop at pain and discomfort. 

If your body is unable to relax, vital hormones like cortisol and oxytocin are not released. These hormones are essential for reducing stress and contributing to your overall well-being. Chiropractic care can help reverse this trend by not only alleviating muscular tension but also reducing stress at large. 

The effect of chronic stress on the nervous system 

Have you noticed an increased propensity to contract illnesses when you’re stressed? 

Getting sick as a result of stress is not uncommon, and it is rooted in the effect stress has on your nervous system. When your nervous system is strained and not functioning at full capacity, the rest of your body’s systems also fail to perform optimally. The result is a decrease in your ability to fight infections and other illnesses. 

Chiropractic adjustment can help correct a stressed nervous system, allowing essential impulses to move freely. The rest of your body’s systems will benefit from this care, and ultimately, boost your immune system and help you live a better, healthier life. 

Spinal alignment and chronic stress 

One consequence of muscular tension is a tendency for the spine to become misaligned. This translates to a host of issues, including pain, discomfort and pressure on the nerves. The whole of your health can suffer from these direct impacts of stress. 

Chiropractic care excels at making adjustments to the spine and correcting its alignment. When done correctly by a skilled DC, these adjustments can relieve your stress symptoms and help you combat the stress itself, positioning you for a brighter, healthier future. 

Final thoughts 

The impact of chronic stress extends far beyond what many people realize, reaching its tendrils into nearly every aspect of your health and well-being if left unchecked. Thankfully, just as stress can wreak havoc on your health, proper chiropractic care can play a significant role in alleviating symptoms and reducing stress. 

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