Stress

According to the Random House Dictionary, stress is: mental, physical or emotional strain or tension. Stress is something everyone experiences on a regular basis. It can be normal or abnormal. Abnormal stress is often referred to as "distress." Whatever it's called, you have experienced it.
Stress occurs through a mechanism within the body called "fight or flight." This is a natural reaction to problem situations that enables you to survive. A classic example of "fight or flight" is the early man walking through the jungle who sees a saber toothed tiger. He either has to fight that tiger or run from it. At that time the adrenal glands would be called upon to supply a higher level of adrenaline than is needed for normal activity. The adrenal glands are important in the "fight or flight" mechanism. It is responsible for increased blood sugar which provides muscle energy and thinking power, an increased heart rate and higher blood pressure to circulate energy-giving sugar and oxygen through the body, an increased respiration, and slows down other body functions to give the body more power for the present situation. This is how the body should react to the demand put on it. After action is taken, all bodily functions return to pre emergency function. Stress not acted upon can cause harm to the body. When the "fight or flight" mechanism is activated and no action is taken, the functional changes are prolonged beyond need. The body can be left with unnecessary muscle tension, high blood pressure and heightened mental activity, irritability, and tension. This often occurs with worry and imagined "tigers. " Prolonged stress-stress that seems to have no end affects the body in a similar manner as stress that is not acted upon. The body is in a constant state of alert. As long as all the systems of the body are functioning normally and are coordinated properly, the body will adapt and normal health can be maintained.

There are four types of prolonged stress:

(1) Mental. This is one of the primary types; however, it isn't the only one. Mental stress can have a very wide scope, from the death of a loved one to a teenager being teased. In modern society we have many types of emotional stress that are prolonged in nature, and they can take their toll on our health. It can be financial, job, or family related and can seem unrelenting, with few prospects for change. When all the body's systems are functioning normally and are coordinated, the body adapts and health can be maintained.

(2) Physical. Physical stress can be as simple as driving oneself past the body's endurance, such as not getting adequate sleep, or working too many hours. Physical stress can also include structural problems within the body, such as spinal imbalance or other distortion. These are especially significant if there is constant pain. When all the body's systems are functioning normally and are coordinated, the body can adapt.

(3) Chemical. This form of stress is on the increase in our modern environment. There are three major categories in the chemical phase of stress; environmental pollution, such as emissions from automobiles, pesticides, a gas leak, etc.; contamination and refinement of food supply; many of the preservatives, food colorings, and artificial flavorings in modern foods are stressful to the body; drugs, prescription, over the counter and illegal, may be stressful to the body and create significant demands upon the stress mechanisms.

(4) Thermal. When the body becomes overheated or chilled, a stress reaction is set up to meet the demand. Fortunately, the body is capable of handling most any stress when all systems are functioning normally and/or coordinated properly. Why then does stress cause so much distress and ill-health in some and the same stress cause hardly any problems for others? The stress can be overwhelming in power or persistence and the body can't maintain normal health. By far the most common cause of ill-health resulting from stress is the body's inability to cope with stress because of a malfunction of the body's stress mechanism. Another common cause is the systems involved in the stress mechanism are not coordinated properly. What can cause a system to malfunction or not be coordinated? The nervous system is the master system of the body and controls and coordinates the function of the other systems. It consists of the brain, spinal cord and all the nerves in the body. The vast majority of the nerves go from the brain through the foramen magnum (a large hole in the bottom of the skull) and travel down inside the spinal column and make up the major part of the spinal cord. From the spinal cord , nerves exit between the vertebrae through intervertebral foramina (holes between the vertebrae). When the vertebrae misalign even slightly, or their normal mobility is altered, they may cause nerves to be irritated or damaged. This is a vertebral subluxation complex, or biomechanicallesion, commonly shortened to just one word ...subluxation. The subluxation can create discord or malfunction in the forces that control I and coordinate the body.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

Stress is cumulative and it is impossible to avoid all stress in modern day life, therefore it is very important that we avoid as much stress as possible. We can keep our minds positive, we can get adequate rest, we can avoid drugs and most refined foods, and we can avoid, when possible, extremes in hot and cold. In general we can have a lifestyle that is conducive to good health. Correcting the underlying cause is the only way to effectively treat stress. However, the most common medical approach is to prescribe tranquilizers and other drugs to relieve the symptoms. At times treating symptoms is necessary. However, the side effects of drugs can at times be more life threatening than the symptoms of stress.

THE ABSENCE OF SYMPTOMS DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THE PRESENCE OF HEALTH

Don't delay proper care by treating only the symptoms of stress. Eliminating or covering up the symptoms with drugs does nothing to correct the underlying cause of the condition. The cause must be corrected before: long-lasting relief and health can be restored.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Chiropractic is not an extra-strength tranquilizer to relieve stress. In spite of this, people that suffer the symptoms of stress are seeking chiropractic care in I greater numbers than ever because Chiropractors treat! one of the most common causes of stress -nerve irritation caused by subluxations and have a high level of patient satisfaction.Chiropractors are the most qualified health care profes- sionals, because of training and experience, to analyze and treat vertebral subluxations that are the number one cause of nerve irritation. Today, because of our stressful lifestyle, poor eating habits, environmental pollution, lack of proper exercise, etc., millions are suffering from subluxations and nerve irritation and many people may not even know they have a problem until the symptoms become severe, and in some cases so severe, it is too late for complete restoration of health.If your chiropractor finds you have subluxations, specific manipulation techniques (without drugs or surgery) will be used to correct the subluxation and relieve the nerve irritation. This allows normal flow of nerve impulses that contributes to the restoration of normal function and health. This procedure is called a chiropractic adjustment. The direct purpose of the chiropractic spinal adjustment is to reduce nerve irritation. This allows the body to restore itself to a greater level of health and in the process relieves pain.

DON'T DELAY PROPER TREATMENT ANY LONGER. CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC NOW!

Seek a chiropractic examination immediately to see if yours is a condition that comes within the range of chiropractic. The symptoms you suffer may be because the underlying cause has been ignored, thereby delaying r proper treatment. Even if you are seeing other health care providers, it is still advisable to see a chiropractor to make sure your spine is subluxation free and your nervous system is functioning normally because everyone needs a healthy nervous system.