How Holiday Stress Affects the Body (and How Chiropractic Can Help)

Bottom Line:

Your stress level and spinal health are linked through your nervous system.

Just think about what happens to you physically when you get stressed out.

More specifically, think about how holiday stress affects the body.

Your muscles tense, your breathing patterns change, and often, so does the way you move.

As the leading neck and shoulder tension chiropractor in St. Charles, IL, we know that last part to be especially true.

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.

Why it Matters:

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 of how holiday stress affects the body:

If you're stressed out, you may notice 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.

You should know, our team can help you combat the effects of stress on your body.

Let’s look at an alternative…

• 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.

How Holiday Stress Affects the Body

Correcting any abnormal movement patterns with gentle, safe, effective, and non-invasive treatments is where chiropractors shine and why you shouldn’t hesitate to visit a neck and shoulder tension chiropractor in St. Charles, IL if you’re in pain.

For many, a few targeted adjustments to the affected joints can help reset any distorted movement patterns which in turn can make a significant impact on their overall pain levels, mobility, and well-being.

In one recent study, researchers observed a measurable improvement in the biomechanical and functional performance in low back pain patients immediately following adjustments.

Participants were able to both move and complete tasks more efficiently and freely and with less pain, and knowing what you undoubtedly know about how holiday stress affects the body, this is HUGE.

And, in yet another study, researchers found that chiropractic care was associated with significant improvements in health-related quality of life over time, especially in pain.

Next Steps:

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.

Between workout sessions, 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.

That’s exactly what we do everyday as the go-to neck and shoulder tension chiropractor in St. Charles, IL.

So, if you’re all too familiar with how holiday stress affects the body and you’re looking for a natural way to relieve those aches and pains so you can get back to enjoying the festivities and more, we hope you’ll give us a call!

Science Sources:

Neurophysiological Effects of Spinal Manipulation. Spine J. 2002.
Posture and Stress. EHAWC. 2011.