Do you find yourself feeling tense, overwhelmed, and constantly stressed? If so, you’re not alone. In today’s fast-paced world, chronic stress has become a common issue for many people. But did you know that this ongoing stress can contribute to more than just emotional or mental strain? It can also be a major factor in causing or worsening back pain.
At Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, Dr. Pete Tsiglieris has seen firsthand how the physical effects of chronic stress can manifest as pain, particularly in the back. Stress affects your body in ways you may not expect, but the good news is there are solutions to break the cycle. In this article, we’ll explore how chronic stress contributes to back pain and how Upper Cervical Care in Redwood City can help.
When you think about stress, you might immediately associate it with anxiety or feeling emotionally drained. However, stress affects your entire body, and your back is often one of the hardest-hit areas. Here’s how stress can lead to back pain:
Muscle Tension
One of the body’s natural responses to stress is tightening the muscles. Over time, this constant tension can cause strain, especially in the back and shoulders. The upper and lower back muscles become stiff, leading to discomfort and chronic pain. It’s common for people to carry stress in their back without realizing it until the pain becomes unbearable.
Increased Inflammation
Stress triggers the release of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. When cortisol levels remain elevated for long periods, it can increase inflammation. This inflammation can aggravate conditions like sciatica, herniated discs, or arthritis, worsening existing back pain.
Postural Changes
Stress can also cause changes in posture. When stressed, you may slouch, hunch your shoulders, or tense up without thinking. These poor postural habits can lead to misalignments in the spine, which in turn cause pain, particularly in the lower back. Over time, these misalignments can lead to chronic back pain, even after the stress itself subsides.
Reduced Physical Activity
When stress becomes overwhelming, many people stop being active, which worsens the problem. Exercise is one of the best ways to relieve back pain, as it strengthens muscles and supports the spine. However, muscle weakness sets in when stress leads to inactivity and the spine is no longer adequately supported. Ultimately, this increases the risk of chronic back pain.
Dr. Pete Tsiglieris provides gentle and precise Upper Cervical Care in Redwood City. This technique focuses on aligning the uppermost vertebrae of the spine (the atlas and axis) - an area of the spine that plays a crucial role in your body’s overall balance and function. When these bones get misaligned, they can create issues throughout the spine, including the lower back. Here’s how Upper Cervical Care in Redwood City can help relieve the effects of chronic stress and the back pain that comes with it:
Correcting Spinal Misalignments
Stress often leads to poor posture, muscle tension, and spinal misalignments. Atlas chiropractic adjustments target these misalignments at their root, restoring balance to the spine and allowing your body to heal. When the upper cervical spine is aligned correctly, the rest of the spine follows suit, relieving tension and improving overall function.
Reducing Muscle Tension
Upper Cervical Care in Redwood City can also reduce the chronic muscle tension that stress causes. Correcting upper cervical spine misalignment allows the nervous system to function smoothly. It also helps your muscles relax and relieve the tightness contributing to back pain. When the spine is in alignment, your muscles don’t have to overcompensate, which can significantly reduce pain.
Improving Nervous System Function
The nervous system controls every function in your body, and stress can disrupt this delicate balance. Misalignments in the upper cervical spine can interfere with how the nervous system communicates with the rest of your body, leading to increased pain and discomfort. By correcting these misalignments, Dr. Tsiglieris helps restore proper nervous system function, reducing inflammation and supporting the body’s natural ability to heal.
If you’ve been struggling with back pain caused by chronic stress, you don’t have to keep living in discomfort. At Advanced Spinal Care, Dr. Pete Tsiglieris can help you address the root causes of your pain through gentle, effective Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care. By restoring balance to your spine and reducing muscle tension, you can experience relief from stress-related back pain and improve your overall well-being. Don’t let stress control your life or your body. Schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward lasting back pain relief.
To schedule a complimentary consultation call our Redwood City office at 833-595-3095 or you can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com