Noticing More Joint Pain Lately? Blame It on Stress

What most everyone already knows is that the recent pandemic was stressful, and what a lot of people are noticing is more joint pain as of late. What most don't realize is that this stress could be connected to their joint pain.

Pandemic or not, stress can result in or contribute to joint pain. The good news is that chiropractic care can help with joint pain, and even help your body let go of stress.

How Stress Triggers Joint Pain

Back in the day, stress was a survival mechanism. Nowadays? Not so much. We're so caught up in having to work, pay bills and manage our household (including kids, pets, spouse, etc.) that all that stress energy doesn't have enough of an outlet to get expended. When we’re stressed, we can develop headaches, stomach issues, sleep issues and yes, even joint pain.

What's happening is that stress makes you tense up. Your body primes itself for fight or flight even though there isn't a saber-toothed tiger that’s about to try and eat you. When there’s no fight or flight to expel that energy (or a good workout regimen), stress remains in your body, alters your posture, and can physically manifest in many ways, including joint pain.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help with Joint Pain

Since every patient has unique healthcare needs, chiropractors will evaluate your health history and current state to determine the best course of action for your joint aches and pains. 

A chiropractor's goal is most commonly multifaceted–reduce stiffness and tension, return normal flexibility and function, and restore blood flow as well as reduce pain. By identifying and treating those problem areas, stiffness and limited joint motions can be restored and normal function and blood flow can be returned. 

The better we feel the more we tend to move. The more we move, including the movement of those affected joints, the more blood and nutrients flow throughout our body and into our joints. As a result, the body can begin to relax, range of motion improves and pain can begin to dissipate. In fact, many patients report immediate pain relief.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help with Stress

Chiropractors aren't a replacement for counselors or psychotherapists. Instead, they strive to help your body physically release and reduce stress. Oftentimes, reducing and removing the physical effects of stress can help reduce and remove the stress itself. 

So while there is a strong emotional side to stress, remember that there's a physical side as well, and your favorite chiropractor is here to help.