Stress and Spinal Tension: What Happens to Your Body
In this video, Dr. Aaron Seaton from The Chiropractic Place explains how stress affects your posture, muscles, and spinal tension—and what simple steps you can take to feel better.
How Stress Changes Your Posture
When someone is really stressed out, you can often see their posture begin to change. Muscles start to tighten, and people may begin experiencing mid-back pain, neck pain, and upper shoulder pain.
During stress, the body shifts into a defensive posture. This happens because the sympathetic nervous system—the fight or flight part of the nervous system—gets activated.
Increased muscle tension is a natural result of that response.
The Role of Stress Hormones
When we are stressed, not only do we experience more postural tension and tighter muscles, but we also release stress hormones like cortisol.
Cortisol increases blood sugar. That increase in energy is meant to be used. When you’re feeling stressed, it can help to get up and move around.
Simple Things You Can Do
When you’re dealing with stress, try to get exercise as best you can. Even if it’s just taking a 10-minute walk, doing something with that energy can help combat the physical effects of stress.
Doing some stretching is another helpful option.
Taking 10 deep breaths—slowly counting through them—can help relax your body and reduce tension.
Chiropractic Care During Stressful Periods
When going through a stressful period, it’s a great time to be getting adjusted. Chiropractic care helps restore movement back into the spine and can help with spinal tension.
Dr. Seaton shares that when he is going through stressful times, he makes sure to get adjusted by one of his colleagues because he understands the effect stress can have on the body.
If you’re currently dealing with neck pain, you may find this related article helpful.
Managing Stress and Spinal Health
When you are stressed, remember the small things you can do: take a walk, stretch, and practice deep breathing. These simple habits can help reduce spinal tension and help you feel better.