Ample research has surfaced in recent years documenting a dramatic rise in stress levels across the country — including a study from the American Psychological Association that branded Millennials as the “most stressed generation” currently living. You can see signs of this heightened state of anxiety simply by walking outside and watching countless passers-by feverishly fiddling with their smartphones, or by reading any of countless op-eds on the bleak state of the job market, diminished starting salaries and mounting costs of living.
Yes, there is a lot on our plates at the moment, but the physical and chemical responses spurred by stress mean that chiropractors and the general public can’t just sit back and accept this new reality. The consistent influx of cortisol, a hormone that is released when someone experiences stress, has been linked to serious health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease and heightened risk of stroke, but these can often be mitigated with a few basic lifestyle changes.
The American Heart Association warns that excessive stress can be detrimental, as it keeps your body in “high gear” for extended stretches of time. So how can you tell just how much stress may be affecting your wellbeing? Cardiologists have long relied on monitoring heart rate variability (HRV) to gauge overall wellness. HRV refers specifically to the beat-to-beat changes in heart rate, and they can shed considerable light on how well certain individuals are equipped to handle various forms of duress, including stress.
Dr. David Fletcher states,”Important studies in the field of cardiology and psychology have confirmed the value of HRV in monitoring the adaptability of individuals. Recently, two studies by Dr. Zhang Ph.D and his team concluded that HRV results were significantly improved after chiropractic care. This non-spinal testing procedure confirms that chiropractic adjustments improve the adaptability and health control mechanisms in patients while under care.”
At CLA, our primary goal is to help chiropractors ensure the wellbeing of their patients on a holistic level. By measuring a patient’s HRV, chiropractors can determine the damage being wreaked by excessive stress, and can set to work devising treatment plans that combine proper nutrition, exercise and chiropractic adjustments to enhance a patient’s wellbeing. With the Pulse Wave Profiler (PWP), chiropractors can quickly assess the effects of long-term stress on their patients, and can easily monitor the benefits for chiropractic treatments and other holistic interventions.
Regaining control of your health and happiness can feel impossible when you feel depleted and are plagued by stress-related aches and twinges. However, as part of a comprehensive effort to adopt a healthy lifestyle complete with a balanced diet and regular exercise, chiropractic care can help alleviate this issues to restore balance and help patience enjoy enhanced quality of life.
Thanks for reading!
