Can a Chiropractor Help Relieve Stress?

Stress is a part of normal, everyday life and most of us will experience multiple episodes at some point or other. It occurs when our body has a physical reaction to a situation that requires an emotional, psychological, or physical response that falls outside of our normal reactions. Stress causes patients to experience a range of different symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. Exactly how it affects an individual will depend on the cause of their stress and their ability to cope with it.    

Stress doesn’t typically resolve itself and, without treatment, it often isn’t until the underlying cause of your stress if alleviated that you will experience an easing in your symptoms and will be able to relax again. However, since stress is directly linked to the central nervous system, it is possible to improve our response to stress through treatments that ensure that our nervous system is in good health and functioning optimally. One of the best ways of doing this is through chiropractic treatments. 
 

Stress and the nervous system

Our nervous system is a complex network of nerves and cells that carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to various parts of the body. Our stress response begins in our brain. If we experience stress, the amygdala, which is an area of the brain responsible for emotional processing, sends messages of distress to another part of our brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is a little like the command center of our body, and when it receives distress signals, it will communicate with the rest of our body, releasing a stress hormone called adrenaline and triggering the typical ‘fight or flight’ response that often accompanies many stressful situations. As the stress hormones get pumped around the body, they cause a range of physiological changes, which we perceive as the symptoms of stress/anxiety. Some of the most common physical symptoms we may experience include:
 

• Rapid heartbeat

• Increased pulse rate

• Rising blood pressure

• Rapid breathing

• Heightened senses due to extra oxygen being sent to the brain

• A rush of energy

• Headaches/migraine

• Back, neck and jaw pain

• Insomnia 

In theory, our body should be able to dampen our stress response once the threat has passed. However, many people are unable to completely flatten their stress response, and this means that they experience underlying, ongoing symptoms. Stress has been proven to be bad for our health, with persistent surges of adrenaline causing damage to blood vessels and arteries, raising blood pressure and increasing our risk of serious conditions including heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. 
 

How does chiropractic care help relieve stress?

The purpose of chiropractic treatment is to deal with issues that either directly affect the musculoskeletal system – which is the network of bones, muscles, and connective tissues within our bodies – or that could be improved or alleviated by making changes to the musculoskeletal system. Stress falls into the latter category. 

As we know, the spinal cord forms an integral part of the nervous system. The spinal cord is housed within the spine, which is a column of bones called vertebra, each separated by a soft disc that enables the spine to flex, twist, and bend. When there is an issue with the alignment of the spinal column or any of the bones or discs within it, it can have a direct impact on the nervous system. For example, a slipped disc can put pressure onto the nerves of the spinal cord, irritating them and affecting our nervous system. 

When you attend chiropractic appointments, your chiropractor will be focused on ensuring that your spine is perfectly aligned and that there aren’t any problems with this part of your musculoskeletal system that could be contributing towards your stress response. This is usually accomplished using a technique called spinal manipulation or adjustments, which refers to non-invasive movements that bring your spine into alignment. Massage therapy is another popular technique for relieving stress. Both of these have a number of positive effects, including:
 

• Increased blood flow, which reduces inflammation and soothes the fight/flight response.

• Inducing natural pain-relieving hormones, easing any discomfort you may be experiencing. 

• Increased rate of healing of any injuries you may have experienced. 

• Released tension, enabling muscles to relax and tension to leave your body. 

• Improving sleep quality, which helps patients feel better able to deal with stress so that their symptoms are less severe. 

Your chiropractor may also be able to help support you in keeping your stress levels to a minimum through guidance and advice on managing tension, eating healthy, and using relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing. 

If you would like to find out more about how chiropractic care can help alleviate stress, don’t hesitate to speak to our experienced team today.