We certainly live in stressful times. It’s not easy to assess whether our era is the most stressful, but we do have plenty of daily stress. The job, the home, the kids, the relatives, and the economy – all these stresses add up and yet we wonder why we have so many aches and pains.

So many ailments are stress-related. Americans are notoriously overweight. Overeating is a “stress-coping mechanism.” Headaches and backaches are often associated with increased stress. There’s a strong correlation between high blood pressure and stress, ulcers and stress, and even cancer and stress.

What can we do? The external stresses in our lives aren’t going away. Our activity-filled lives are busy and complex – there’s always going to be stress. The key is to help avoid or ease the physical effects of stress. Interestingly, chiropractic therapy, massage, and exercise all reduce the effects of stress on the body.

In general, stress causes muscles to tighten. This is an unconscious reaction. Tight muscles cause a cascade of further muscle tightening, shortening of muscles and ligaments, and a resulting decrease of mobility in joints, particularly shoulder joints, hip joints, and joints of the spine.

At Cole Pain Therapy Group, we explain your treatment options and provide instruction in stretching techniques and specific exercises that help maintain the positive results of therapy.

There will always be stress. We can learn how to reduce the physical effects of stress, and become stronger, healthier, and happier in the process.

Take a Break! A few quick tips –

• Get up out of your chair or leave your workbench and walk over to an open window. Change your point-of-view. Breathe some fresh air.
• Go for a five-minute walk, either in the corridors of your building or out-of-doors.
• Call a friend and chat for five minutes.
• Close your eyes, clear your mind, and take an imaginary vacation – relaxing on a warm beach, deep-sea fishing on a beautiful yacht, or skiing down a gorgeous mountain.

These short, focused breaks will help reduce muscular tightness and physical stress, and also help your brain recharge so you can be more creative and productive!