Most people seek chiropractic care when they are in pain.  Chiropractic is incredibly successful in addressing the aches and pains that come from daily life. From time to time we all get pain from sports, sitting at a desk all day, a car accident or some other injury causing event. But what if that main cause of your aches and pains isn’t physical but mental? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

People are under more stress these days and our office is seeing a lot of patients where the cause of their pain isn’t just physical, but mental too. Stresses on the body can cause pain. There are two forms of stress; good stress and bad stress. Good stress is what you do to your muscles when you work out. Some forms of stress on the body are beneficial. Physical activity and mental exercises are examples of good stresses.  We need some forms of stress to keep our bodies tuned up and our brains working properly. Can you imagine what your body would be like if you did not move your body or use your brain?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bad stresses harm the body and rob us of valuable energy.  Our bodies react to mental stress by increasing the production of certain hormones. The body releases “stress hormones” in an effort to protect itself against what it perceives as a threat. Even if the person is not in danger, the body will often act as if it is a “life or death” situation.  The stress in your mind triggers a “flight or fight response”, and many parts of your body are affected.  Your brain and nervous system become stimulated, which causes increased heart rate and blood pressure.  The blood is directed away from your digestive system as your body prepares for the worst. This response is very important if you are facing a life-threatening situation.  However, if it is not a life or death situation the long term effects of this state can be disastrous to your health!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our world is becoming increasingly complicated with technology and fast paced lifestyles. Compared to our parents or grandparents, we live very busy lives. We are constantly trying to keep up with the demands of today’s world.  Our jobs and the world of business has become very competitive. We are working longer and harder these days just to make ends meet. Every day we are bombarded by electronic messages and the 24-hour news cycle. Add up all of these factors and we see a huge increase in the levels of Stress and Anxiety. Constant Stress has become a reality of modern living!  Stress assaults and overwhelms our senses creating physical and emotional reactions. If effective steps are not taken to deal with stress, the results are very damaging to our health.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stress comes from Physical, Emotional & Chemical sources.

Physical Stress – These stressors can be lack of sleep, or physical conditions that cause illness/injury. Examples of physical stresses would be longer work hours, intense project deadlines/demands, and/or unhealthy working conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emotional stress – Can be difficult to define as everyone experiences this differently. Our reactions, thoughts, emotions can translate to stress on the body. Examples of Emotional Stress include switching jobs, moving away from your family/friends, changing schools, personal conflict, relationships and the loss of a loved one.

 

 

 

 

Chemical stress – Includes what we put into our bodies and the environment around us. Diet is a huge part of this and is covered in depth in another blog. Environmental Stresses include pollution, noise, weather, and allergies.  Every area has environmental and weather challenges.  When our bodies are under stress, even normal things in the environment can become potential causes of pain & illness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Too much stress makes a person feel bad. Physical pain, mental fatigue, digestive problems and heart problems are just a few of the common symptoms of someone with too much stress. After a prolonged period of high stress, you may find your energy levels decrease. With Chiropractic care, the impact of stress on the body is reduced. We cannot make your life less stressful, but Chiropractic care can reduce the negative effects of stress on your body.

The chemistry of your body is regulated by the brain & nervous system. Stress on the brain and nervous system can cause interference in the communication system of the body. This “miscommunication” can lead to all kinds of health problems. Chiropractic is a non-invasive, natural way to help reduce pain and a positive way to deal with the stresses of everyday life.

Chiropractors in Maui use the bones of the spine to access and balance the nervous systems.  Stress can cause pain, and cause muscle tension.  Chiropractic adjustments increase range of motion, decrease inflammation/pain, and reduce muscle tension. Patients report a feeling of relaxation and return to a more balanced state following a Chiropractic Adjustment.  Muscle tension decreases and mental clarity returns.  Adjustments also have been found to reduce spinal nerve irritation and improve circulation.  The Chiropractor’s approach is to normalize the function of your nervous systems by removing spinal joint dysfunction. Finding the affected areas in your spine and helping restore better function will make a big difference in how your body responds to stress.