Everybody feels stressed sometimes. In fact, stress can be an advantage in many situations, like job interviews. When stress becomes chronic, however, it can contribute to several physical and mental health issues. Reducing stress can be a complicated process, but chiropractic care can help. Through a range of treatments, as well as lifestyle advice, chiropractors are able to reduce the symptoms of stress, as well as some of its root causes.

What is stress?

Stress is our body's response to a perceived threat. In our evolutionary past, these threats tended to take the form of some sort of physical danger. So our stress response is geared towards helping us to either get away from the danger as quickly as possible or to have the best possible chance of defending ourselves - the fight or flight response.

This stress response involves diverting the resources in our body into those areas that will best help us to deal with the threat, such as our eyes and limbs. It also diverts resources away from parts of our body that aren't necessary to deal with the threat, such as our digestive system.

In the modern world, of course, stress doesn't always come in the form of a physical threat. Very often, the stresses in our lives are constant, such as a stressful job, or a difficult commute, or financial worries. In these situations, our stress response can go on for too long, and this can result in physical and mental symptoms, such as:

* muscle pain and tension
* digestive problems
* chest pain
* constant worrying
* digestive problems
* changes in sleeping and eating habits

If chronic stress continues over a long period of time, it can make us more susceptible to health problems like anxiety and depression, heart disease, and obesity.

Can chiropractic care help with stress?

There are a number of ways that chiropractic care can help you to manage stress, and it will usually involve a variety of treatment methods. Some of these can include:

Spinal adjustments

Spinal abnormalities can be the physical manifestation of stress. Spinal adjustments can help to realign your spine and restore your body's functioning. They can also promote relaxation.

Chiropractic massage

Chronic stress can cause muscle tension and pain, and this can create a feedback loop that amplifies your stress levels even further. Chiropractic massage can reduce muscle tension, which can reduce stress, discomfort, and pain.

Relaxation techniques

Your chiropractor will be able to teach you relaxation techniques that you can use both in and out of your sessions. They will also be able to give you advice about how to get a better night's sleep.

Exercise advice

Your chiropractor will be able to give you advice about the best exercises for you to do. Exercise can help to boost your body's natural "happy hormones", such as endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin, which can help to improve your mood. It also reduces the level of stress hormones, such as cortisol, in your body, lowering the stress response.

Chiropractic care can help you to manage and reduce chronic stress. This won't just help you to lower your risk of developing health problems, it will also help you to feel happier in your day-to-day life.

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Learn more about Palmercare Chiropractic Washington, DC