A QUICK ONE ABOUT THE DEEP CONNECTION BETWEEN PAIN RELIEF AND STRESS RELIEF AND HOW MOST PEOPLE DO IT ALL WRONG!

The link between stress and pain is a two way highway. In a paper published by the NIH it noted that “stress intolerance plays a major role in chronic pain. Stress is associated with a worsening of pain. According to Stanford University stress causes increased muscle tension and elevated cortisol levels which drive up inflammation and pain. 

And, this says little about the role of stress in initiating pain or how chronic pain itself becomes a source of stress. You can see how chronic pain and stress compliment each other and become a self-perpetuating cycle. 

STRESS, PAIN, AND THE SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Stress of all kinds – physical stress, chemical stress, and emotional stress – causes an activation of the Sympathetic “fight or flight” Nervous System (SNS). When over-activated over time we begin to live in a state of chronic sympathetic activation which sets the stage for a range of problems conducive to pain such as:

  • Increased inflammation
  • Tightening of the muscles in the neck, shoulders, and lower back
  • Disturbed sleep
  • Impaired digestion
  • Impaired rest and recovery

 

When this happens it can be the initiator for a cycle of pain. Most people that come into my office with complaints of chronic pain can relate the current episode to a change or stress in their life.

The more your muscles tighten up, you fail to get restorative sleep, and inflammation rises you experience greater and greater pain, which only increases stress levels.

 

PAIN AND STRESS ARE ABOUT IMBALANCE

Both chronic pain and chronic stress are caused and perpetuated by imbalances in the body. 

 

What type of imbalances?

Structural Imbalances: if the pelvis and spine are out of balance it puts stress and tension on the autonomic nervous system. Depending on where this happens determines the impact on the nervous system:

  • Upper Neck Misalignments can put pressure on the Vagus Nerve of the parasympathetic system causing an inhibition of the Vagus Nerve.
  • Pelvic Misalignments can also inhibit the parasympathetic system.
  • Mid and Lower Back Misalignments can irritate the sympathetic system and turn up activity of the “fight or flight” system.

 

Autonomic Nervous System Imbalances: as a result of structural imbalances and the constant stress of daily modern life the sympathetic system becomes chronically overactivated which in turn inhibits the Vagus Nerve. 

 

THE VAGUS NERVE

I’ve mentioned the Vagus Nerve a couple of times. 

Why is the Vagus Nerve so important?

The Vagus Nerve has been called the foundation of health and well being because of its role in:

  • Deep Restorative Sleep
  • Rest and Relaxation
  • Healthy Digestion
  • Healthy Heart Rate
  • Healthy Immune Response
  • Human Connection
  • Intuition

 

THE MISTAKE MOST PEOPLE MAKE

Our culture is all about eliminating annoying symptoms. That is the primary focus of our healthcare system. There is nothing wrong with eliminating symptoms unless nothing is done to address the cause of the symptoms.

When it comes to the symptoms of stress many doctors prescribe medications that only cover up the symptoms and do nothing to address the neurological imbalances. Medications like:

  • Xanax
  • Valium
  • Klonopin
  • Ativan
  • Librium
  • Buspar
  • Fluoxetine

 

Many of these medications are habit forming and they do nothing to change the long term pattern developing in the nervous system.

When it comes to pain the approach is identical. This is the source of the opioid crisis in this country. Most people are seeking a quick fix to escape their pain and stress. 

But, simply treating the symptoms only allows the underlying condition to progressively worsen.

 

A FOUR STRATEGY APPROACH TO ADDRESS PAIN AND STRESS

 

At Life Chiropractic in Grass Valley I have distilled the most effective and proven strategies to correct the underlying imbalances that drive chronic pain and chronic stress. 

I call it the Corrective Rebalancing Program and the 4 strategies are:

 

#1 Corrective Chiropractic Care

Benefits:

  • Restores spinal alignment and prevents or slows the development of devastating spinal arthritis.
  • Provides headache, migraine, and neck pain relief through relieving spinal nerve pressure.
  • Provides muscle-melting, spine aligning, top-to-bottom back pain relief.
  • Improves mood and releases stored tension by balancing the autonomic nervous system and increasing blood flow throughout your body.

 

#2 Posterior Chain Activation

Benefits:

  • Relieves back pain and improves posture by decompressing the spine
  • Move more easily and gracefully by taking pressure off your joints and activating key muscles
  • Provides back pain relief by correcting the imbalances that come from sitting, hunching over screens, and other habits of modern life
  • Reverse the damage done from poor posture by activating the key muscles of posture, the posterior chain.

 

#3  Spinal Joint Flossing

Benefits:

  • Improves spinal joint movement and lubrication
  • Reverse damage from dysfunctional spinal movement patterns
  • Provides neck and back pain relief by reteaching your body proper spinal motion
  • Provides long term pain relief by rewiring proper coupled joint movements

 

#4  Stress Resilience Blueprint

Benefits:

  • Effortlessly release stored tension and experience deep relaxation
  • Sleep better by down-regulating your Nervous System
  • Provides immunity from stress by rewiring your stress response
  • Improves your mood by increasing your Vagus Nerve function
  • Helps you take control of stress by learning to self-regulate

 

This is an approach that combines four strategies that on their own get consistent, predictable, and measurable results. When they are combined together they work synergistically to bring balance and ease to a body ravaged by chronic pain and stress.

If  you live in Nevada County you can schedule your first visit at Life Chiropractic of Grass Valley here:  Schedule Here

 

About Dr. Berkowitz  

Bringing more than 3 decades of practice experience, Dr. Bill Berkowitz focuses on balancing and corrective care, applying his expertise to provide patients with predictable, repeatable and measurable results.

Dr. Bill consistently strives to enhance the well-being of his patients by addressing the root imbalances of their problems and promoting optimal balance, alignment, and function of the spine and nervous system.  

Bill’s wealth of knowledge and experience has allowed him to develop a nuanced understanding of the human body and its intricate connections. With each adjustment, he supports the body in returning to a state of balance that goes beyond mere symptom relief, focusing instead on long-term correction for his patients’ well-being.