If you’ve been feeling stressed, you’re not alone. Many people have felt fear and anxiety during the pandemic.
What may be surprising are the signs of stress. For example, you may brush off excessive eating, but it could be related. In fact, all of these could be symptoms of stress during the pandemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
· Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
· Difficulty sleeping
· Difficulty sleeping
· Worsening of chronic health problems
· Worsening of mental health conditions
· Increased use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs
Stress can also cause physical pain, says chiropractor Justin Stilson of Activated Life Chiropractic & Wellness.
“Pain is a stress response as well, which increases anxiety,” Stilson says. “The hormones adrenaline and cortisol go out in your body when you’re stressed, which stimulates your fight or flight response and musculoskeletal pain.”
Stress negatively impacts your immune system in a cycle that seems difficult to stop. However, one way to relieve stress is through chiropractic care that alleviates musculoskeletal pain.
“Chiropractors work with the central nervous system via the spine, which I like to think of like a breaker box,” Stilson says. “When a breaker is overloaded, it blows. Something similar can happen with our nerves.”
Chiropractors refer to this type of problem as neuroarticular dysfunction or subluxation, which is a misalignment of spinal vertebrae. That misalignment can be treated with a chiropractic adjustment, either manually or with an activator.
“I use an activator, as it is a low force adjusting instrument,” Stilson says. “It works on moving those vertebrae joints back into place. That helps improve the function of the joints and the output of the nervous systems there.”
The activator is a handheld device that uses a quick pulse concentrated on specific points in your body. The high speed of the device delivers treatment before muscles can tense in response, increasing the treatment’s effectiveness, according to Spine-Health.com. It also allows for localized control without bending or twisting joints.
Another method Stilson uses is the Neuro Emotional Technique.
“NET deals with the issues in the tissues,” Stilson says. “When you’re stressed, stress hormones go out into the body, into the tissues. Usually, they get absorbed, but sometimes they can get stuck and start causing other issues. With NET, you find out what the issue is — then you eliminate the issue through manual muscle testing.”
“NET deals with the issues in the tissues,” Stilson says. “When you’re stressed, stress hormones go out into the body, into the tissues. Usually, they get absorbed, but sometimes they can get stuck and start causing other issues. With NET, you find out what the issue is — then you eliminate the issue through manual muscle testing.”
Manual muscle testing helps practitioners identify involuntary physiological responses, similar to when a doctor taps below your knee and you kick, according to NetMindBody.com. A manual muscle test can show involuntary responses to stimuli such as physical contact or verbal stimuli.
Manual muscle testing helps practitioners identify involuntary physiological responses, similar to when a doctor taps below your knee and you kick, according to NetMindBody.com. A manual muscle test can show involuntary responses to stimuli such as physical contact or verbal stimuli.
By testing the body’s responses while asking you to recall past stressors, a practitioner can identify where you are being affected by unresolved trauma or stress. Once those points are identified, NET connects your mind and body to promote healing and release past issues.
By testing the body’s responses while asking you to recall past stressors, a practitioner can identify where you are being affected by unresolved trauma or stress. Once those points are identified, NET connects your mind and body to promote healing and release past issues.
“It’s considered an effective treatment for chronic stress,” Stilson says.
“It’s considered an effective treatment for chronic stress,” Stilson says.
For more information about how chiropractic care can help you handle stress and anxiety or to make an appointment, visit Activated Life Chiropractic & Wellness online. Stilson’s practice remains open, as it provides an essential function to those suffering from pain and stress.
For more information about how chiropractic care can help you handle stress and anxiety or to make an appointment, visit Activated Life Chiropractic & Wellness online. Stilson’s practice remains open, as it provides an essential function to those suffering from pain and stress.
