The Link Between Stress and Tension in Your Body

Welcome back to The Spine Connection! I’m Dr Carpenter from Lexington Spinal Care, and today, we’re talking about stress—and how it affects your body more than you realize.

We often think of stress as just mental, but it actually causes physical tension in your muscles, joints, and nervous system. Ever notice how your shoulders feel tight when you’re overwhelmed? That’s stress at work.

When stress builds up, your body goes into “fight or flight” mode, leading to:

• Tight muscles, especially in the neck and shoulders, Jaw clenching, which can lead to headaches and TMJ pain, or Low back tension from prolonged stress-related posture changes.

The good news? Chiropractic care can help your body process stress more effectively by reducing nerve tension and improving circulation. A few things that help:

1. Chiropractic adjustments—these help release muscle tension and improve nervous system function.
2. Breathing exercises—deep belly breathing can calm your body and reduce tension.
3. Stretching and movement—even 5 minutes a day can help counteract stress buildup.
4. Better sleep—when your spine is aligned, your body rests and recovers better.

If you’ve been feeling constantly tense, achy, or just “off,” your stress levels might be showing up in your body. At Lexington Spinal Care, we help release that built-up tension so you can feel your best. Give us a call, and let’s get you back to feeling great. See you next time!