Many of us lead fast-paced lives as we juggle our work and personal responsibilities. Sometimes we get so caught up in all of life’s responsibilities that ailments like back pain sneak up on us. Maybe your mattress is good, and you’re sleeping right at night to alleviate the stress on your back, but you’re still experiencing back pain day after day. Could it be from the stress and anxiety of your day to day life?
Can Mental Health Issues Cause Physical Pain?
It’s not uncommon for people to assume that mental health issues and physical health issues are mostly unrelated. We’ve heard of things like stress headaches, feeling fatigued or sluggish from depression, and having an upset stomach from stress or anxiety, but there’s more to it than that.
Studies have shown a link between depression and back pain. A connection also exists between stress and depression, and its effects on our body’s inflammatory system. Depression can also lower our pain tolerance, which could cause the back pain you’re experiencing to feel even more intense.
Can Spinal Misalignment Cause Anxiety?
Just as your mental health can affect you physically, your physical health can affect you mentally. A spinal misalignment can cause irritation to your nervous system as well as adversely affect your blood circulation. These negative consequences to a spinal misalignment could activate your “fight or flight” response and cause you increased anxiety.
Your stress could also be partially responsible for your spinal misalignment. Prolonged tension in the muscles in your back, which could be caused by stress, creates uneven pressure in your back which may lead to spinal misalignment. That then could cause the above effects leading to additional anxiety.
Can Going to a Chiropractor Help with Anxiety?
One stressor causing physical pain and ailments leading to the cause of more and different conditions are the kinds of things chiropractors look for to get to the root of your problems. Chiropractors have many tools at their disposal besides spinal adjustments, such as massage therapy, magnetic resonance therapy designed to reduce the symptoms of chronic stress, lifestyle advice, and more.
Total Chiropractic Can Help Improve Your Overall Health
Dr. Todd Goldman of Total Chiropractic Care has the years of experience and tools at his disposal to improve your spinal health, and as a result, improve your overall health and well-being. Our Medford office includes state of the art equipment, an extensive list of offered services beyond spinal adjustments, and are dedicated to helping our patients beyond the confines of our offices. Reach out to us and start getting more out of your day, every day.