Mental stress and its effect on the body
It is common to experience anxiety few times in our lives whether it is the nervous fluttery
feeling in stomach before speaking in public, sleepless nights before a big test or a deadline
or nagging worry about any of life’s stressful situations. Our bodies are well equipped to
handle stress in small portions however when the stress becomes constant, chronic or long-
term, it can have a serious effect on your body. In this blog, we will talk about how the
stress can affect the different systems in your body. We will also discuss the ways to
manage the stress and the role of Chiropractic care.
Musculoskeletal System:
When there is a stress on your body, muscle starts to tense up. It
is a reflex reaction of your body, guarding of the body against injury or pain. With acute
onset of stress, muscle tense up and release the tension once the stress passes however
chronic stress or long-term stress causes the muscles in the body to be in a more or less
constant state of guardedness. When muscles are taut and tense for long periods of time,
this may trigger other reactions of the body and even promote stress-related disorders. In
an example: Presence of tension-type headache and migraines may associate with chronic
muscle tension in the area of the shoulders, neck and head. Musculoskeletal pain in the low
back and upper extremities has also been linked to stress, especially job stress.
Respiratory System:
This system consists of supplying oxygen to cells and removing carbon-
dioxide from your body through the breathing. Stress and strong emotions can present with
respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath and rapid breathing due to the airway
between the nose and the lungs constricts. People with respiratory disease such as asthma
and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are more prone to these effects. Psychological
stressors can exacerbate breathing problems and can cause hyperventilation and/or asthma
attacks.
Cardiovascular system:
This system is made up blood vessels and the heart that work
together in providing nourishment and oxygen to the organs of the body. Sudden mental
stress causes an increase in heart rate and stronger contractions of the heart muscle, with
the stress hormones release such as adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol (acting as
messengers for these effects). Additionally, the blood vessels that direct blood to the large
muscles and the heart dilate, thereby increasing the amount of blood pumped to these
parts of the body and elevating blood pressure. This is also known as the fight or flight
response. Once the acute stress episode has passed, the body returns to its normal state.
However, stress for prolonged period of time can contribute to long-term problems for
heart and blood vessels. The consistent and ongoing increase in heart rate, and the elevated
levels of stress hormones and of blood pressure, can take a toll on the body. This long-term
ongoing stress can increase the risk for hypertension, heart attack, or stroke.
Endocrine system:
When the body is under stress which could be a challenging,
threatening, or uncontrollable situation, the brain initiates a cascade of events involving the
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is the primary driver of the endocrine
stress response. This ultimately results in an increase in the production of steroid hormones
called glucocorticoids, which include cortisol, referred as the “stress hormone”.
Gastrointestinal System:
Stress can affect the brain-gut communication which may affect
pain, bloating, and other gut discomfort to be felt more easily. The gut is also inhabited by
millions of bacteria which can influence its health and the brain’s health, which can impact
the ability to think and affect emotions. Stress is associated with changes in gut bacteria
which can influence mood. Thus, the gut’s nerves and bacteria strongly influence the brain
and vice versa. Early life stress can change the development of the nervous system as well
as how the body reacts to stress. These changes can increase the risk for later gut diseases
or dysfunction.
- Oesophagus: Individual may eat much more or much less than usual under stress. More or different foods, or an increase in the use of alcohol or tobacco, can result in heartburn or acid reflux. Stress or exhaustion can also increase the severity of regularly occurring heartburn pain.
- Stomach: Stress may cause an unnecessary increase or decrease in appetite. It may also cause pain, bloating, nausea, and other stomach discomfort. Vomiting may occur if the stress is severe enough.
- Bowel: Stress can cause pain, bloating, digestion difficulty or discomfort in the bowels. It can affect how quickly food moves through the body, which can cause either diarrhea or constipation. It can induce muscle spasms in the bowel, which can be painful.
Nervous System:
This system is comprised of two divisions. Central nervous system (Brain
and the spinal cord) and peripheral nervous system (autonomic and somatic nervous
systems). The autonomic nervous system has a direct role in physical response to stress and
is divided into the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), and the parasympathetic nervous
system (PNS). When the body is stressed, the SNS contributes to what is known as the “fight
or flight” response. The body shifts its energy resources toward fighting off a life threat or
fleeing from an enemy. Both the SNS and the PNS have powerful interactions with the
immune system, which can also modulate stress reactions. The central nervous system is
particularly important in triggering stress responses, as it regulates the autonomic nervous
system and plays a central role in interpreting contexts as potentially threatening. Chronic
stress, experiencing stressors over a prolonged period of time, can result in a long-term
drain on the body. As the autonomic nervous system continues to trigger physical reactions,
it causes a wear-and-tear on the body.
Management of Stress and the Chiropractic care:
The effective strategies for reducing stress
response may include Maintaining a healthy social support network. Engaging in regular
physical exercise and getting an adequate amount of sleep each night. These strategies
benefits for physical and mental health and form critical building blocks for a healthy
lifestyle. Yoga also plays an important role in managing stress by relaxing the muscle tension
in the body and giving a sense of well-being, and spiritual benefits. In terms of Chiropractic
care, the objective of Chiropractic is to locate, analyse and correct any spinal dysfunction.
These spinal dysfunctions can be caused by physical, mental and/or chemical stress. Having
chronic or long-term stress on your body can cause muscle tension throughout your body
including paraspinal muscles (muscles attached with spine), nerve pressure due to over-
working of your brain function. Chiropractors help to address those dysfunctions on the
body to ensure optimal function of the brain and the body. If you would like further
information and would like to get your spine check, talk to your nearest Chiropractor and
start your journey today.
