Don’t Stress for the Holidays

Did you know that 60% – 80% of primary care visits may have a stress related component? Did you also know that nearly 60% of the population admits to having chronic stress? Moreover, the number of patients presenting with stress-induced conditions is growing – indicating that our healthcare system is struggling (and often failing) to adequately address this issue.

So, if a good amount of us are already feeling stressed on a regular basis, then the holidays can add more stress to our lives. We’re not just talking about bad stress, but good stress as well. It can have us feeling tired, overwhelmed, experiencing aches and pains, and at the same time, in a joyous mood, maybe causing you to take on too many tasks this season.

When people experience stress that contributes to back and neck pain, chiropractic treatment is often sought. This is fortunate because Chiropractors are not only acknowledged experts in treating back and neck pain, they also have extensive knowledge concerning the physiological mechanisms of stress and how the body responds to it.

For example, it often happens that the Autonomic Nervous System – consisting of sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) divisions – is responsible for generating chronic stress due to sympathetic overactivity (sometimes referred to as ‘sympathetic overdrive’).

The spinal nerves that compromise and regulate the Autonomic Nervous System pass through the base of the skull in specific regions of the spine. Chiropractic adjustments to the C1, or Atlas, vertebrae in the cervical spine can restore sympathetic-parasympathetic balance, thereby significantly reducing chronic stress.

If you feel that you experience chronic stress, and also feeling the pressures of this upcoming season, we strongly recommend that you visit our office for an evaluation and adjustment. Our goal is always help you maintain great health and a well balanced life!