Chiro Therapy Care for Stress Relief: A Holistic Approach to a Healthier Mind and Body
Main points:
- Unmanaged stress can escalate from acute to chronic, leading to serious physical and mental health conditions.
- Stress falls into three types: acute (short-term), episodic (frequent bursts), and chronic (long-term), chronic being the most serious.
- Chiro doctors also provide guidance on posture, ergonomics, stretching, and lifestyle habits.
In the Philippines, stress in the workplace has become a cause of concern. This is according to a study that was performed by AXA Mind Health, and published in the Philippine News Agency (PNA). Per the study, 87% of Filipinos experience stress in the work place, which is 11% above the world average. If not addressed, acute stress can become chronic, which can negatively affect mental and physical health ailments e.g. anxiety, exhaustion, headaches, insomnia, and chronic pain.
The good news is that all is not lost for stressed Filipinos. Thanks to holistic approaches like chiro therapy, which not only alleviates pain, but can also improve quality, reduce anxiety, enhance mental clarity, and so on. pain and other aches and pains.
In this piece, we’ll look at the physiological effects of stress and how the said holistic approach might supplement an approach to managing this common health problem.
What is stress and how does it impact physical and mental health?
The World Health Organization defines stress as a state of mental tension or worry that’s brought upon by a difficult situation. It’s the human body’s reaction to challenges as well as threats. Generally, everyone experiences stress in one way or another; the way you respond to stress impacts overall health and well-being.
Consequently, it should be noted that the right amount of stress can be beneficial, but too much of it can be detrimental. Furthermore, stress, especially if mismanaged or neglected can manifest as anxiety, irritability, difficulty concentrating, headaches, body pains, stomach issues, sleep trouble, and changes in appetite.
What are the different types of stress
Stress is usually grouped into three types depending on how long it lasts and how often it happens. They’re elaborated in the detail in the succeeding paragraphs:
- Acute
- Episodic
- Chronic
Acute stress
This is the type of stress that many regularly experience. It may include everyday activities like slamming on the brakes to avoid hitting someone, getting involved in a fight, or rushing to beat a deadline.
You may experience the following when under acute stress:
- Headaches
- Upset stomach
- Muscle tension
- High blood pressure
Episodic stress
This happens when short bursts of stress pile up too quickly, leaving you no time to breathe in between. It’s often seen in people who are overextended, who are hard on themselves, or whose jobs are highly stressful, such as nursing or firefighting. Imagine several deadlines at the same time, continual arguing with your boss, or a noisy neighbor that never seems to leave.
You may experience the following when under episodic stress:
- Frequent headaches
- High blood pressure
- Back pain
- Poor sleep
- Panic attacks
- Irritability
Chronic stress
This is long-term stress that stays for weeks, months or even years. It usually stems from the weight of ongoing life issues like a stressful relationship, a chronic illness, financial difficulties, a dead-end job or chronic family strife.
Its most serious form may include:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Depression
- Trauma-related problems
The good news is that the said symptoms may settle down when stressful situations end, and your overall health may drastically improve if you fix the root cause of stress.
How chiro therapy can help with stress management
Chiro therapy helps manage stress by prompting the body to switch from fight or flight mode to a relaxed state. Read on for details.
- Physical benefits
- Nervous system effects
- Complementary guidance
Physical benefits
Chiro therapy can fix spinal subluxations and joint subluxations, loosen stiff muscles, address neck pain, and manage headaches that stress often brings. In line with this, manual therapy can boost circulation, and leave you feeling more relaxed. On top of these, when your posture improves and your body moves better, everyday things like sitting, walking, and lifting become easier and less tiring.
Nervous system effects
Your spine protects the nerves that connect your brain to the rest of your body. When it’s in good shape, those nerve signals flow smoothly, keeping your body working as it should. Some patients say they feel calmer, happier, and more clear-headed after chiropractic sessions, and some early research backs this up. On top of that, chiropractic care may help with headaches, help you sleep better, and just make you feel better overall.
Complementary guidance (from chiro doctors)
Your chiro doctor can give guidance on posture, and ergonomics e.g. setting up your workspace so your body stays comfortable. They can also teach you stretches, workouts, and movement breaks that you can do at home. This allows your body to move at an optimum level, and keep joint and muscle tension at bay. Beyond your visits, you’ll get personalized tips on handling stress, eating better, and sleeping well.
How to integrate stress management and chiro therapy to your regular routine
First, your chiro doctor will take time to understand your health history, how stress is affecting you, where you’re experiencing pain and what you are looking to achieve. Your plan will start with regular chiro visits, slowly tapering off as you get better, and also include simple self-care routines to help you stay on track between appointments.
Try setting aside a few minutes each day for simple stretches, a posture check and basic neck and shoulder movements to avoid building up tension. You can also deepen your relaxation and help your body settle into the adjustment by pairing your chiro visits with a short breathing exercise or meditation afterwards. Regularly staying active, taking breaks from your screen and establishing a calming evening routine help support your body’s recovery between visits.
Take control of stress with chiro therapy
Stress should not be taken for granted since it can affect your body as well as your mind. And ignoring it can lead to serious health problems, in the long run.
This is where a holistic approach like chiro therapy comes in. It offers a natural, non-invasive, and drug-free way to ease the physical and mental burden of stress. Paired with lifestyle changes, and (in some cases) medical intervention, it can act as an effective and efficient stress management tool.
Ready to take control of your stress? Visit us at Posture Perfect Chiropractic and let us help you build a plan that works for you.
