FINALLY — The Link Between Your Stress and Your Spine EXPLAINED
Your stress level and spinal health are linked through your nervous system.
That was easy enough.
Just think about what happens to you physically when you get stressed out. Your muscles tense, your breathing patterns change, and often, so does the way you move. Changes in your posture, for example, can lead to neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, and more — all in response to the stress you’re feeling.
So What?
Stress often triggers some cycle of pain or dysfunction, and the process is coordinated through your nervous, immune, and musculoskeletal systems. Here’s an example. If you’re stressed out, you may notice that you start to exercise less, which may lead to pain and stiffness, which may bring your mental health down, which may, in turn, lead to more stress. The proverbial vicious cycle, if you will.
Another way this can happen is if stress contributes to a foul mood. The link between your mood and your posture is so deep that simply improving your posture has been shown to improve your mood! The opposite is also true — let’s say your mood improves by having a nice cup of tea, visible changes to your posture can be appreciated. The connection between your mind and body is facilitated by your nervous system, which is housed in your spine. Improve your spine = improve your nervous system = improve your posture = improve your mood= decrease your stress.
Either way — you should know, our team can help you combat the effects of stress on your body.
Quick recap:
- Stress can affect your posture and the way you move.
- That abnormal motion can lead to pain and inflammation.
- Chiropractic adjustments to the body can help improve your posture, the way you move, and lessen any physical irritation to your nerves.
Now What?
In short, movement is the best natural “medicine” for bringing down those stress levels and improving the way you move and feel. In fact, daily exercise has been shown to lower stress levels, elevate moods, and improve overall health. Scheduling gentle chiropractic adjustments to the body can help keep you moving well and keep any pains at bay so you can get the daily exercise you need to stay well this holiday season. So, if you are looking for a natural way to relieve those aches and pains so you can get back to being active, we hope you’ll give us a call!
Science Sources:
Neurophysiological Effects of Spinal Manipulation. The Spine Journal. 2002. The Interaction Effect of Posture and Psychological Stress. EHAWC. 2011.
