Welcome to the Family Chiropractic & Massage blog! Here, we will discuss anything and everything that has to do with chiropractic care and wellness. We will share helpful information and hopefully answer any questions you have through our articles. We are a chiropractic clinic that began in 1997 and has since grown to locations in North Charleston, Summerville, and Moncks Corner, South Carolina. We are dedicated to providing tailored care and treatment with traditional and new techniques to help our patients reach their wellness goals. We treat a variety of conditions including neck pain, back pain, injuries, sciatica, scoliosis, and more. Besides chiropractic care, we also offer physiotherapeutic care, rehabilitative care, and massage therapy. Our licensed massage therapist offers all types of massage from deep tissue to compression massage and more. We are strong believers in natural healing! Check out our website to find out more information about the services and care we offer, and contact us today to schedule an appointment with our experienced doctors!

In our last post, we discussed ways you can boost your immune system naturally. The immune system protects the body from outside invaders, such as germs, bacteria, viruses, and toxins. While the body has a natural ability to heal itself, this process can be interrupted if the immune system is not working properly. Luckily, there are steps you can take to boost your immune system. If you are interested in learning more, we encourage you to check out our last post!

Today, we’ll be talking about ways to manage and reduce stress. Stress and anxiety are incredibly common in our world today. It is a normal human reaction that can be both emotional and physical. However, high amounts of stress or stress over prolonged periods of time can wreak havoc on the body. Although everyone deals with stress, studies have shown that certain factors, such as genetics and personality type, may make some people more susceptible to stress than others. If you are interested in learning more about how stress affects the body and ways you can manage it, you’re in the right place. Let’s get started.

Stress is a natural response that our bodies are equipped to handle in small doses. However, if stress becomes chronic, it can have serious effects. Stress affects all systems of the body, including the musculoskeletal system, so minimizing stress is important for overall health. When we experience stress, our muscles tend to tense up. It is a natural reaction or reflex to guard the body against pain or injury. Generally, the muscles will tense and then release when the stress passes. When we experience long-term or chronic stress, our muscles are in a constant state of tension. This can lead to other reactions in the body and can even promote stress-related disorders. A common issue people experience due to stress is headaches. Tension headaches and migraines are often caused by muscle tension in the shoulders, neck, and head. Additionally, tense muscles can also cause neck, shoulder, and back pain.

Managing and reducing stress is the best way to ensure that your body can function at its best. When your body is at its best, all of its systems can work properly, allowing you to feel better and be healthier. This will help you maximize the benefits of chiropractic care! Let’s take a look at some ways you can reduce stress.

Exercise Regularly

We’ve all heard about the importance of physical exercise, but it does so much more than just keep us in shape. Regular physical activity can help lower your overall stress levels by relieving tension, anxiety, and other factors that often go along with stress. Exercise improves blood flow and increases your brain’s production of endorphins. Endorphins are neurotransmitters produced naturally by the nervous system to combat stress. They are often called “feel-good” chemicals because many people experience a sense of happiness or euphoria after exercising. In fact, many people notice an improvement in their overall mood immediately after exercise. In addition to this, exercise can provide an escape from stress by taking your mind off of things that may be stressing you out, because you are placing focus on your body rather than your mind. 

Maintain A Healthy Diet

Just as we’ve heard about the importance of exercise, we’ve also heard about the importance of a healthy diet. But did you know that your diet can affect your mental health and stress levels as well? A balanced diet supports a healthy immune system and provides extra energy needed to cope with stressful events. Studies have shown that dietary patterns with an emphasis on whole foods were associated with lower anxiety and stress. This is because a diet that lacks whole foods can increase your risk of deficiencies in nutrients such as magnesium and B vitamins, which help regulate stress and mood. Research has also shown that nutrients such as omega-3 fats and Vitamin E can help lower anxiety. If your diet heavily consists of ultra-processed foods and added sugar, you may be more susceptible to experiencing higher stress levels. Additionally, when we feel stressed, it can lead to overeating. Overeating typically leads to us reaching for junk food, which can further suppress our mood. 

Reduce Screen Time

These days, the majority of us spend our time on our phones, tablets, and computers. For many of us, it is an unavoidable part of life. But did you know that using them too often can increase stress levels? A 2019 study found that those who depended on screens for entertainment and social networking had up to 19% more emotional stress and up to 14% more perceptual stress. Studies have also found that children with excessive screen time tend to have higher levels of anxiety. Screen time can also negatively affect sleep– It delays the release of melatonin, a hormone produced by the brain that plays a role in sleep. This can disrupt sleep patterns, and lack of sleep can cause irritability and stress. For this reason, it is recommended to stop using electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime. It can also be beneficial to unplug for 30-minute intervals throughout the day when you can. 

Practice Self-Care

Self-care is defined as the process of taking care of oneself in ways that promote health. There are a variety of ways to practice self-care, and it can look different for everyone. Some examples of self-care include going for a walk or other forms of exercise, taking a bath, learning something new, practicing a hobby, treating yourself to something nice, having a spa day, meditating, or lighting candles. Essentially, self-care means doing something that makes you feel good or contributes to your happiness– It does not have to be complicated. In our busy everyday lives, it can feel impossible to have a moment for ourselves. However, taking time for yourself is essential for your overall health. Studies have shown that those who practice self-care have lower levels of stress. In contrast, a lack of self-care is associated with high-stress levels and burnout.

These are just a few of the ways that you can manage and reduce stress. Keeping your body functioning at its best will help you live a healthier lifestyle and perform at your best. It can also help you get the most out of your chiropractic appointments! We hope you found this article informative, and we encourage you to reach out to us if you have any further questions or concerns. It would be a pleasure to assist you. Here at Family Chiropractic & Massage, we offer chiropractic care as well as massage services and heat and cold therapy. We have doctors who have studied a variety of chiropractic techniques to render care to patients with different types of conditions. As people vary, so do the techniques chosen to help each patient get well. We use evidence-based treatment methods to help patients get better faster. If you are suffering from any type of back pain, contact us today to set up an appointment so we can assess your needs and create an effective treatment plan. One of our experienced doctors would love to help get you on the right track to living a healthy, pain-free life! Thank you for reading, and we hope you’ll check back for more articles about chiropractic care and all it has to offer!