Stress

Overview

As you handle the demands of your work and daily life, it's normal to feel stress. Stress can help you focus. It can help you reach your goals. But constant stress is bad for your health.

Causes

Stress can have many causes. You may be stressed because of money or relationship problems. You may feel stress because of physical issues like pain or a poor diet. Stress can also be linked to smoking, drinking or caffeine.

Symptoms

Your body responds to stress by releasing hormones. They can affect you emotionally, causing anger or sadness. Stress hormones can also affect you physically. You may have headaches or high blood pressure. Your muscles can tighten. This may pull your spinal column out of alignment. Chiropractors call this "subluxation." This can irritate your spinal nerves, causing pain and other problems.

Treatment

It's important to manage your stress so you don't develop serious health problems like heart disease, obesity and depression. A chiropractor can help find the cause of your stress. Spinal adjustments, muscle work or other methods may help get rid of it. A continuing care plan may help.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.