“Stress” is one of the most heard words in common social vocabulary, and still not many know how it impacts our health and how to overcome it. Chronic physical, chemical, and emotional stress is the biggest contributor for developing serious conditions such as cardio-vascular diseases and cancer. Interestingly enough, those stressors are the same causes of postural dysfunctions; subluxation. It is obvious to everyone that by observing posture we can very closely estimate an individual’s health state. Think about it, how do you initially determine a person’s state just by looking at them? What denominator are you using? Their posture!

How do you know if a person is angry? Their posture!  How do you know if a person is tired? Their posture! How do you know if a person is upset? Their posture! Frustrated? Their posture! Sick? Their posture! Stressed? Their posture! Happy? Their posture! 

Now you know why our parents and grandparents were always bugging us with the same statement “SIT STRAIGHT!” They never get tired saying it. Because they love us and also because they knew, the better posture we have, the more stress we can tolerate. We get less tired and ultimately get healthier. Now let’s have a look at science. Windsor et.al. Studied 50 subjects randomly and the causation of their death with relation to the spine and nervous system. The result was astonishing. Scientists discovered 139 diseased organs that killed those people and 138 had a direct correlation with spinal misalignment and the nervous system in the spine. 99.5 % of those randomly chosen people had a chronic condition and abnormal posture and spinal misalignment.

Since there is a very tight relationship between the brain and the body, posture and spinal realignment is the key element to turn stress from causing the disease to cause healthy adaptation and healing.

It is amazing how many people report that their stress perception and reaction to stress improved after visiting the chiropractor and being adjusted for the purpose of correction in their posture.  The Journal of Vertebral Subluxation research published a study that show that over 70% of the participants showed a “marked improvement” in depression with chiropractic care.

70% is actually better than any prescribed Antidepressant.  How can an adjustment of the spine help depression and stress? It is very simple and logical. Adjustment removes the interference from the nervous system, that is created by postural shifts of your spine, as a result of stress on your brain, brain stem and spinal cord. It allows the body to respond to stress better and process the external environment in the positive way. A well aligned person perceives our hostile, highly stress-social environment in a friendly way and produces a positive health response.

You can increase your resistance to stress by strengthening your physical health.
Here are some stress prevention strategies:

  • Discover and Get Regular Structural/Functional Chiropractic Care. Correct your spine and maintain your normal nervous system function throughout your entire life. It is no different than your regular car maintenance care.
  • Exercise regularly. Physical activity plays a key role in reducing and preventing the effects of stress. Make time for at least 30 minutes of exercise, three times per week. Nothing beats aerobic exercise for releasing built-up stress and tension.
  • Eat a healthy diet. Well-nourished bodies are better prepared to cope with stress, so be mindful of what you eat. Start your day right with breakfast, and keep your energy up and your mind clear with balanced, nutritious meals throughout the day.
  • Reduce caffeine and sugar. The temporary “highs” caffeine and sugar provide often end with a crash in mood and energy. By reducing the amount of coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, and sugary snacks in your diet, you’ll feel more relaxed and you’ll sleep better.
  • Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Self-medicating with alcohol or drugs may provide an easy escape from stress, but the relief is only temporary. Don’t avoid or mask the issue at hand; deal with problems head on and with a clear mind.
  • Get enough sleep. Adequate sleep fuels your mind, as well as your body. Feeling tired will increase your stress because it may cause you to think irrationally.

Have a stress-free – subluxation-free life!