Stress isn’t only something you feel mentally. For many people, stress can show up physically through muscle tension, headaches, neck and back discomfort, poor posture, trouble sleeping, and an overall feeling of being worn down.
Dr. John Toenjes of True Grit Health Center in Wentzville, Missouri, recently spoke about stress during a meeting of the BNI Crossroads to Success chapter, discussing how ongoing stress can affect the body and why recognizing the warning signs is important.
What Does Stress Do to Your Body?
When you’re under stress, your body naturally responds. In short periods, this response can be useful.
But when stress becomes constant, the physical effects can become more noticeable.
- Tightness or discomfort in the neck, shoulders, or back
- Headaches
- Muscle tension
- Changes in posture
- Difficulty relaxing or sleeping
- Fatigue
- Increased heart rate
- Changes in blood pressure
- Feeling physically tense or uncomfortable
Stress can also influence everyday habits. You may spend more time sitting, exercise less, sleep differently, or find yourself leaning forward over a computer or phone. Over time, these habits can contribute to additional strain on your neck, shoulders, and back.
Stress and Forward Head Posture
One physical issue Dr. Toenjes discussed during his presentation was forward head posture.
This happens when the head begins to sit farther forward instead of remaining properly aligned over the shoulders. Long hours working at a computer, looking down at a phone, driving, and other daily activities can contribute to this posture.
When combined with muscle tension from stress, it can leave your neck and upper back feeling tight or uncomfortable. Addressing posture, movement, ergonomics, and other lifestyle factors may help reduce some of this strain.
Can Chiropractic Care Help With Stress-Related Tension?
Chiropractic care isn’t a treatment for stress itself, but chiropractors can evaluate musculoskeletal problems that may occur alongside stressful lifestyles.
At True Grit Health Center, chiropractic care can focus on areas such as spinal mobility, posture, joint function, muscle tension, and movement. The goal is to identify what’s contributing to your discomfort and develop an appropriate plan based on your individual needs.
Simple Ways to Reduce Physical Stress
Along with chiropractic care when appropriate, small changes to your daily routine can make a difference. Regular movement, taking breaks from your desk, improving your workstation setup, getting adequate sleep, staying hydrated, exercising, and paying attention to your posture are good places to start.
Most importantly, don’t ignore persistent pain or discomfort.
Supporting the Wentzville Business Community
Dr. John Toenjes is an active member of BNI Crossroads to Success, a local business networking chapter serving professionals in Wentzville and the surrounding St. Charles County area. Through BNI, local business owners and professionals share knowledge, build relationships, and support one another through referrals.
Being involved in a local business network also provides a way to stay connected with the people and businesses that make up the Wentzville community.
For True Grit Health Center, that local connection is part of being an active healthcare provider in the area—not simply operating a practice within the community, but building relationships with other local professionals and businesses.
Looking for a Chiropractor in Wentzville, MO?
If stress, long workdays, poor posture, or everyday activities are leaving your neck or back feeling tight and uncomfortable, consider having it evaluated.
True Grit Health Center provides chiropractic care for individuals and families in Wentzville, Missouri and surrounding St. Charles County communities.
Dr. John Toenjes can evaluate your concerns and help determine whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for you.
Individual results vary. Chiropractic care should be based on an individual evaluation and is not a substitute for medical treatment when medical care is needed.
