Stress and how your body responds

Lately, we have been taking care of a lot of people who are stressed out.  How do we know it?  We look at what their body is doing.  You might think that high cholesterol is abnormal, when in fact it may be a sign that the person is living under stress.  In a stressful situation, high level of cholesterol is needed.  The problem is when someone lives a high stress life, they never get the chance to calm down and heal.

Your body has a very natural approach to survive a stressful situation.  It uses what I like to call the "survival nerves" to help you get out of it.  For example, if a Tiger was chasing you, there would be... If you went to Colorado (high altitude) your body would make more red blood cells to compensate.  That is adaptation to the environment, not pathology!  The stresses that the "survival nerves" respond to are caused by:

• increased cortisol: this is used to get sugar into the blood for energy, yet, it breaks down your proteins
• increased catecholamines (neurotransmitters):  again, the nerve transmitters to get you excited
• increased heart rate:  your body needs more oxygen and sugars to be excited
• increased vasoconstriction:  reduces blood flow to unnecessary areas, helps increase blood pressure
• increased blood pressure:  gets the blood where it needs to be, fast
• increased blood glucose levels: fills the blood with sugars for cells to get energy
• increased blood lipid levels:  increases clotting if an injury occurs and is a nutrient
• increased blood cholesterol levels (increased LDL; decreased HDL):  clotting and hormones
• increased clotting factors:  in case an injury occurs
• increased protein degradation of muscle and connective tissue:  use of the tissue causes damage
• insulin resistance:  keeps the cell from getting too much sugars  (not all cells)
• increased feelings of stress, fear, anxiety and depression:  survival instinct
• decreased short term memory, ability to concentrate, and learn new material:  no need to learn
• decreased serotonin levels; increased noradrenaline levels:  no need to be happy
• increased sensitivity of sensory systems including pain:  need to be aware of surroundings
• decreased cellular immunity:  do not need to heal, need to survive
• decreased anabolic hormones:  do not need to grow or reproduce
• bone loss, muscle fiber type changes:  do not need to rebuild, your body is in survival mode

The likelihood of a Tiger chasing you is minimal.  Yet often times we put ourselves in a stressful environment, and our body has to adapt to this environment by producing a chronic stress response.  This is not a disease and it is not pathological  – the chronically stressful environment is pathological, NOT the body’s response to it.  If we could not produce these changes we could not survive! 

1. Physical stress:  look in the mirror and see if your head, shoulders or hips are level.  If not that is a constant physical stress.
2. Chemical stress:  you are what you eat and take in.  If you are constantly putting garbage food and poisons into your body, that is extremely stressful
3. Emotional stress: just thinking about the Tiger will create the same response. Worrying about your boss or kids isn’t helping you either.

The most interesting thing about this is your body doesn’t know the difference between the three stresses, it responds the same to all three.

I could list several friends and family members who live a life of constant stress.  It is very hard to sit back and watch them tear themselves up.  You may also know someone like that.  If so, show them this article.  It will take lifestyle changes, but they can overcome the stress response by taking better care of themselves. 

If this person is you, we can help you restore balance to your body and help guide you along the path to a better lifestyle.  By decreasing your stress response, you "feel" better, calm your body down, heal, grow and revive! 

At Awesome Chiropractic, Dr. Robert Moore specializes in the specific correction of upper cervical subluxations.  We use detailed analysis and digital x-rays to pinpoint the most specific way to restore balance to the spine and spinal cord.  There is no bending or twisting of the neck.

If you suffer from any pain and would like to see how specific upper cervical chiropractic care can help you, call our office today (810) 225-7246.  We would be glad to provide you with a free consultation to see how we can help you. All you have to lose is your problem.