Stress is common, and while mild stress can provide motivation for hitting deadlines, excessive or unmanaged stress can have noticeable effects on your body, such as neck pain or insomnia. If you struggle with stress or anxiety, allowing it to go untreated may cause more trouble in the long run. Learn more about the ways stress affects your body with the guide below. 

How Stress Impacts the Body

1. Skin Conditions

When you experience anxiety, your body naturally produces a hormone called cortisol that can wreak havoc on your skin and exacerbate existing conditions like eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis.

Certain skin conditions are worsened by inflammation triggered by emotional stress. This leads to painful outbreaks that can make your stress even worse. While topical creams and prescription medications can ease discomfort, managing stress is ideal for preventing flareups.

2. Muscle & Joint Pain

You may attribute muscle and joint pain to exercise or poor posture, but frequent neck pain, stiffness, and muscle aches can also be caused by stress.

Sudden anxiety can cause your muscles to tighten, leading to tension in your neck and shoulders. Prolonged stress can lead to muscle spasms that may cause difficulty moving your head and neck, requiring a chiropractic adjustment.  

3. Digestive Issues

Stress affects every part of the digestive system, causing basic symptoms like stomachache, gas, diarrhea, and constipation, as well as more complex conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome and acid reflux.

Your gut is partly controlled by your central nervous system, and when your body experiences stress, your sympathetic nervous system triggers a fight-or-flight response that can increase stomach acid, cause esophageal spasms, and make you nauseous. Severe stress can also exacerbate peptic ulcers, making it especially important to manage your stress levels. 

If you experience headaches, neck pain, or back pain due to stress, contact the professionals at Smith Chiropractic Clinic in Concord, NC. Since 1978, their team of licensed chiropractors has provided top-notch pain management services, including functional medicine, to help their patients overcome physical ailments caused by a variety of conditions, including anxiety. Contact them at (704) 788-3126 to schedule an appointment, or visit their website to learn more about their services.