Skip to main content

The Unique Relationship Between Pain and Stress

Stress and pain share a deep connection. Many people who suffer from unexplained chronic pain find that the source is that they’re under a lot of pressure in their lives. Whether it’s family troubles, money problems, work issues or any other reason, the more stressed out you are, the more your body gets out of sync and the more likely you are to suffer pain.
The problem with stress-related pain is that if you don’t know what you’re looking for, it can be very hard to identify it. The truth is, stress can be at the root of headaches, back pain, neck pain, shoulder and muscle aches, stomach pain and all manner of problems. Discover the unique relationship between stress and pain, tips to lower your stress, and how a chiropractor in Woodbridge, VA can help manage the pain.
Stress and Pain
Stress causes our body to tense up, which can lead to the pain you experience in your neck, shoulders, back, muscles, stomach and head. It can also cause your body’s hormone responses to be off, which in turn lowers your immunity to illness. It can cause you to have sleepless nights, affect your memory and focus, and make you irritable.
It can cause overeating, fatigue, mood swings and more. Every one of these stress-related conditions can, in some way, contribute to the development and worsening of pain in the body. As you hunch, it creates unhealthy positioning in your spine, which can lead to subluxations. These in turn put stress on nerves that cause other issues. It becomes a vicious cycle from which it’s tough to escape.
Managing Pain, Managing Stress
The first step in managing your pain in these cases is to manage your stress. That means first admitting that you’re stressed out and that you’re not coping well. Only you can fix you, by eliminating the conditions that are causing you discomfort. After this realization, look towards activities that can help you burn off some of the stress you feel.
Go to the gym. Take a martial arts, yoga or self-defense class. Go for a walk or a run. You should be getting at least 30 minutes to an hour of exercise, at least three times a week, anyway. Don’t tell yourself that you don’t have the time, and don’t let it become another stressor. Just make the time and do it!
Don’t ever be afraid to take time away. Whether it’s a vacation, a long weekend, or just a few hours a week in a room by yourself pursuing a hobby, you’re entitled to some “you” time, even if you have a family to take care of. In fact, it’ll be better for them as well!
Visit Your Chiropractor in Woodbridge, VA
When your stress causes physical issues, a visit to your chiropractor in Woodbridge, VA, can be a perfect addition to your health and wellness routine. Not only can Dr. C. at ACT Wellness adjust the subluxations in your spine that can be making your pain worse, we can give you advice on nutrition, healthy living and stress management.
If you’re in need of health and wellness counseling and chiropractic services, we’ve been the best in the region for nearing a decade. Give us a call for a consultation today.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Vertebrae of the Week: Review of Your Lumbar Region Vertebrae

Over the past few weeks we’ve explored the lumbar, or lower back, vertebrae. While these don’t protect root nerve bundles like your upper and middle spine, they do bear the weight of almost your entire back above them. They also do protect the largest nerve in your body, the sciatic nerve. They are, as such, particularly vulnerable to compression injuries and various conditions related to age, wear and tear. Let’s take a look at each of the lumbar region vertebrae, from the top L1 vertebra through the lowest L5 vertebra, see what function each has, and the dangers of injury for each. L1 Vertebra The L1 vertebra is the highest bone in your lumbar region. It is what is known as a “transitional” vertebra, serving as the point where your thoracic region becomes the lumbar. Injuries to the L1 region are most often related to compression issues, with one of the most common being spondylolisthesis. L2 Vertebra Next down in your spine is the L2 vertebra. At this level, we see in...
1 comment
Read more

Sleep, Insomnia and Chiropractic

Insomnia is a very common affliction that affects millions of Americans every day. About 30 to 35 percent of adults have brief insomnia symptoms, with 15 to 20 percent having bouts of insomnia which can last up to three months. A full 10 percent of adults across the nation have chronic insomnia which occurs at least three times every week and lasts for over three months. Insomnia can cause all manner of life and health problems, and can turn the lives of patients upside down. There is a potential treatment for insomnia that many people don’t think about, and that’s chiropractic care. If this sounds intriguing, read about the relationship between sleep, insomnia and chiropractic, and learn how a visit to the chiropractor may be able to help end your chronic insomnia. Effects of Chronic Insomnia At its most basic level, a lack of sleep can cause a lack of focus and concentration, fatigue, memory problems, drowsiness during the day and a lack of energy and motivation. This increase...
Post a Comment
Read more

Thoracic Region of Your Spine

The thoracic region of your spine is comprised of twelve vertebrae that run along the middle part of your back. Misalignments in these vertebrae can cause all manner of problems. Learn about your thoracic vertebrae, the effects they have, and how a qualified chiropractor can help address your back pain and get you healthy once more. Your Thoracic Vertebrae Your thoracic vertebrae are denoted by the letter “T” followed by a number. The T1 is the highest, while the T 12 is the lowest. Each has the responsibility of protecting the nerves that control a specific area of bodily function. The T1 This vertebra is also the C7 vertebra. It’s located at the base of your neck, and subluxation can cause pain in the middle back, sides and chest, as well as pain and loss of feeling in your arms like tendonitis. The T2 This bone is associated with your coronary arteries and cardiovascular system. This can cause problems like chest pain, rapid heartbeat, breathing problems, blood pressu...
Post a Comment
Read more