EMOTIONAL STRESS IS MORE DESTRUCTIVE THAN PHYSICAL STRESS

Over the past 15 years, MANY patients have come into the office complaining of headaches, migraines, sinus/allergy problems, neck pain, shoulder pain, and/or back pain that are causing severe soreness in the muscles and instability in their spine.  They usually complain of broken sleep and inability to either get to sleep, or fall back asleep, after they wake up in the middle of the night.  They also usually come in with weakened immune systems, making them more susceptible to getting colds, flus, and infections.

When I ask my patients about all the various stresses they have in their lives which may be weakening their bodies, I usually find that the most acute and chronic patients are the ones suffering with the most emotional and mental stresses on a daily basis. 

Whether it is home and family stresses and conflicts with spouses, significant others, children, parents or siblings, or intense work pressures and deadlines at their work, emotional and mental stresses are highly destructive and unrelenting, unlike physical stress. 

When a person performs a physical act that is stressful, usually the stress load to the spine dramatically reduces after the work is done.  However, with unrelenting emotional stresses, the stress load usually stays in their system 24 hours a day, even throughout the night.  Because their bodies are so tense and spastic, they are unable to get to sleep well or stay asleep, especially if anxious, negative thoughts return during the night.

The MOST important thing to do when someone is under tremendous stresses, whether physical or emotional/mental, is to first identify what it is that is creating this situation, and to create a plan that will efficiently reduce or eliminate this conflict.  Whether it is to finally ACT on that painful decision one has been procrastinating on, face the person who needs to be confronted, or ASK for what you need, making actual proactive steps can start the healing process.

However, if the situation one is in can NOT be changed, then resources have to be sought to help minimize one's REACTION to these stresses.  Whether it is seeking counseling, reading spiritual books, listening to meditation/visualization tapes, meditating, doing deep breathing exercises, exercising, having a positive mental attitude, yoga or stretching, or just talking with supportive family and friends, do whatever you can to minimize the mental anxiety.

Finally, seek the care of a great chiropractor who can assess your spinal/health problems and create a care plan to help correct the areas of the spine that are misaligned, causing dysfunction, muscle soreness, spasms, and fatigue.  When nerves are irritated, the body is physically unable to relax, even when the emotional stresses have resolved.  However, remember that a person under extreme stresses may need a much more aggressive treatment plan than the average because they are much more unstable and prone to relapses.

Take the time to heal yourself this year.  Find out what areas in your life needs to be changed and make action steps to correct or minimize the impact of this situation.  And, if things cannot be changed, then find ways to ACCEPT this fact.  Living life fully in this present moment, not in the past or the future, will also change the level of your stress and increase your joy and peace.


Plan to have a great year ahead!