How Chiropractic Care Can Relieve Stress

Stress is a near-constant companion for most of us. Whether it's major life stressors (like illness or losing a job) or everyday annoyances (traffic, work meetings), stress is hard to avoid.

"Stress is any challenge the body has to cope with," says Bashar Salame, D.C., a chiropractor at Henry Ford Health. "And the way the body copes with stress often leads to tight muscles and other physical tension."

Because chiropractic care focuses on realigning the spine and reducing muscle tension, a visit with your chiropractor can be a great way to manage stress.

The Impact of Stress on the Body

When you feel stressed out, your body automatically goes into "fight or flight" mode. That reaction makes sense if the stressor is, say, someone breaking into your home in the middle of the night. It makes less sense when the stress stems from having to give a presentation at work or sitting in rush hour traffic. "But the body's response is the same, no matter what type of stress you're experiencing," says Dr. Salame.

The sympathetic nervous system kicks in during these stressful moments. Your blood pressure rises, your heart rate increases, your breathing gets shallower, your muscles become tense and even your posture changes.

"These are the physical characteristics of stress that we can't really control," says Dr. Salame. "It's how your body gets ready for action when it perceives stress or danger."

How Chiropractic Adjustments Relieve Physical Tension

Chiropractic care is one way to help break the hold stress has over your body. Chiropractic adjustments (also called manipulations) can directly address many of the physical manifestations of stress, including muscle tension, poor posture, and shallow breathing.

"When muscles become tense they can pull the vertebrae in the spine out of alignment," says Dr. Salame. These misalignments can lead to changes in posture, creating tension in the neck, shoulders, or the lower back. "We use adjustments to restore normal alignment of the spine," he explains. "And when the body is back in a healthy, balanced posture, muscle tension releases, the chest is able to expand, and you can take deeper, more relaxing breaths."

All of that counteracts the sensation the body has that it's in direct danger. Suddenly, the sympathetic nervous system relaxes and the body can stop holding onto tension.

What to Expect When You See a Chiropractor for Stress

In addition to adjusting your spine to improve alignment and restore healthy posture, a chiropractor can also address stress in other ways. "We can perform various myofascial release techniques, active or passive stretching, and trigger point work to help release tightness and tension in muscles," says Dr. Salame. "Especially in the neck and shoulders where a lot of people hold onto stress."

During trigger point work, the chiropractor applies pressure to areas of the muscle that are holding tension. Direct pressure to those trigger points increases circulation, removes buildup of lactic acid (which can cause soreness) and smooths out the muscle.

Depending on the condition of your body, your stress levels and your health goals, your chiropractor may recommend weekly or more frequent sessions to start. As your body becomes more accustomed to staying in healthy alignment, you will need care less often.

Always be sure to seek out a chiropractor who has earned a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from an accredited institution. They should also be licensed by the state where they practice. Many chiropractors hold additional certifications and training in subspecialties including nutrition, sports medicine, obstetrics/pediatrics, and primary spine care.

More Ways to Manage Stress

In order for your chiropractic care to have a lasting impact on your body and your stress levels, you'll also need to practice good self-care, including:

• Eating a well-balanced anti-inflammatory diet
• Exercising regularly
• Focusing on good posture and ergonomics
• Staying well hydrated
• Taking frequent breaks from sitting at a desk or performing repetitive activities

Chiropractic care is just one of the many ways to help manage stress-and its effects on your body. Finding everyday ways to lower your stress will help you feel mentally and physically healthier.