Stress

Stress is a natural response of the body to the various demands we place upon it. In ancient times, our stress response, also known as our fight or flight response, provided us with energy to preserve life during difficult situations, such as an attack or threat by a wild animal. Unfortunately, modern day stress is considerably higher, more frequent and more consistent than what our predecessors experienced. Today, we do not have to look much further than our windows, or computer screens, to view various forms of stressors—everything from prime-time news and road rage, to the forty-hour work week, terrorism talk and cell phones.

However, stress is not necessarily always negative. There is a distinction between healthy and unhealthy stress. Healthy stressors are usually short lived and keep us alert and motivated, and support our body’s strength and vitality.

Our response to stress can either help or hinder our body’s ability to cope with these various stressors in our lives. Healthy responses to stress include appropriate physical exercise, good eating habits, positive thinking, adequate rest, and reaching out to friends and family for support. Unhealthy responses to stress include negative thinking, overexertion, poor eating habits, lack of sleep, and isolation. These unhealthy responses can cause the body to work harder than it needs to and can trigger physical and mental health issues. Over time, ongoing stress and unhealthy responses to stress can actually be detrimental to our health. 

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Medical studies have shown that with increased and consistent stress, our white blood cells which defend our body against viruses decrease. This results in lower immune resistance, ultimately leading to physical disease and emotional instability.

Even if the stressors are no longer present, the body continues to keep the stress response active. This results in the depletion of our nervous system, lymphatic organs (spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes), kidneys and adrenal glands, which can pave the way for a wide variety of symptoms and signs.

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How can Gonstead Chiropractic help?

​Chronic stress can negatively impact the nervous system, leading to muscle tension, headaches, fatigue, poor sleep, and overall imbalance in the body. Gonstead Chiropractic care helps reduce stress by correcting spinal misalignments that interfere with proper nervous system function. Through precise, targeted adjustments, Gonstead Chiropractic restores spinal alignment, relieves physical tension, and supports optimal communication between the brain and body. Many patients experience improved relaxation, better sleep, reduced muscle tightness, and an enhanced sense of well-being as the nervous system becomes more balanced. Incorporating Gonstead Chiropractic care into a wellness routine can be an effective, natural way to manage stress and support long-term physical and emotional health.