Some types of illnesses or conditions are easily diagnosed and treated. A doctor will determine what the condition or illness is, and prescribe appropriate treatment. And most of the time, the treatment is probably successful. But there is one condition that many people are not even aware they suffer from – stress.

You may have heard the phrase ‘stress – the silent killer’. Why? Well, stress can have so many negative effects on the body and mind, all while the sufferer believes they have some other condition for which they seek treatment, their stress goes unaddressed, and continues to cause other health issues. Let’s take a look at some of the things stress can cause:

• Headaches
• Depression and anxiety
• Sleep disruption
• Muscle aches and pains
• Digestive problems
• Blood pressure problems
• Heart disease

The list goes on. If you suffer from any of the conditions listed above, stress may very well be the culprit.

Causes of Stress

There are many types and causes of stress. Let’s break down the three main types, to give you an idea of where your stress might be originating, and show how all three can be connected to create what we refer to as ‘chronic stress’:

Emotional

Almost all of us have suffered from emotional stress at one point or another in our lives. It can be caused by negative events, worries about our jobs and family lives, financial worries, fear of the current state of the world and more.

At this time of year, with the holidays approaching, many people may suffer an increased amount of emotional stress. The holidays are expensive with gift giving, hosting dinners and parties etc. It’s also a time where we miss our loved ones who have passed on, and memories of holidays past can cause a lot of sadness. And just the harried and hurried nature of preparing for the holidays can cause not only emotional but physical stress.

Physical

Physical stress can be caused by injuries, illness, dietary issues, over-work, and lack of rest. Pain can result from physical stress, and emotional stress can result from pain. The two are definitely connected.

Environmental

Environmental stress can be caused by external events or situations that we have no direct control over. For example, in today’s world, many bad things are going on that can cause us to be afraid of the future. Is it safe to go out? Is it safe to travel? Will my town be next to experience something horrific? Often times, we are not able to control our environmental stress, which in turn will exacerbate both physical and emotional stress.

When a person suffers from all three of these types of stress, we call it ‘chronic stress’.

The Physical Results of Stress

Let’s take a closer look at how stress can physically impact the body, and how chiropractic treatments can help.

We now know that stress can have a negative impact on the body. This can include things like headaches, stiffness, and muscle aches and pains. If left untreated, these conditions can become worse, leading to chronic pain issues.

If you suffer from stress and are looking for solutions, it’s a good idea to address your physical symptoms as soon as possible. Reducing the impact of stress on your body will help to clear your mind and allow some of your emotional stress to abate.

Along with making certain lifestyle changes like reducing your exposure to environmental stress, improving your diet, and making changes in your work life to reduce worry and becoming over-worked, having treatments that will address the physical aspects of your stress will make an enormous difference. In fact, studies show that regular chiropractic treatments can lower blood pressure, improve your digestive functions, and relieve pain. Three things that are necessary to have both good physical and emotional health!

How Can Chiropractic Treatment Help?

At BROADWAY AT YEW CHIROPRACTIC & MASSAGE, we treat many patients suffering from stress. We see patients with tight tense muscles, posture issues, and poor sleep, all the result of constant stress and worry. The next time you feel stressed out, check your posture. Are you clenched up and tight? Hunched over in an effort to shield yourself from the things that worry you? You probably are! It’s human instinct to huddle down in protective mode. But constantly being ‘on guard’ will lead to a whole host of problems with your back and spine.

Chiropractic treatment is focused around the root of the nervous system – the channels through which impulses travel between the body and the brain. If these impulses are impeded by cramped and seized muscles, their functions begin to suffer.

Your Vancouver Chiropractor can work to correct the impediments, returning your body to optimal physical condition. This will lead to a reduction or complete remission of pain symptoms with continued treatments, which in turn will help to reduce your physical stress. Let’s be honest, when we feel poorly physically, it’s really easy to become stressed and depressed. If we feel good physically, it’s so much easier to address the emotional aspects of our daily lives that may be contributing to our stress levels.

If you’re suffering from stress, why not make an appointment at BROADWAY AT YEW CHIROPRACTIC & MASSAGE? We offer everything from chiropractic, to massage, to helpful information on how to make lifestyle changes that will help to reduce your stress!