Stress Hurts! It’s Scientifically Proven, and it’s Time For a Solution

Stress hurts. We all experience pain on a regular basis. In the last week, you’ve probably either had a headache, felt some uncomfortable muscle tension, pushed through stiffness and fatigue. Or maybe you had an upset stomach on at least one occasion. Maybe all of those symptoms are a regular part of your life. You’ve just come to accept that your body simply hurts.

But does it have to be that way?

Headaches, chest and muscle pain, fatigue, nausea, and disrupted sleep are all physical symptoms of the psychosocial malady that has taken the world by storm- stress.

Our interactions with stress and what triggers it differ based on our personal experiences, but we are all familiar with it. And it is just as taxing on the body as it is on the mind.

According to the Mayo Clinic, stress that is not properly managed can contribute to health problems. Some being high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes. But if that’s not concerning enough, it’s practically guaranteed to cause the daily physical discomforts that you’ve probably been dismissing for years. It could easily be the root cause of your tense, perpetually sore back, stiff neck, chronic headaches, or nausea.

If you don’t sleep well at night because you’re under significant stress, you’re probably experiencing fatigue. This in turn leads to headaches, dizziness, and a weakened immune system. Leaving you more vulnerable to the innumerable viruses that are tearing through workplaces and schools this time of year.

All in all, your body isn’t too happy.

At this point, it’s easy to dismiss movement as a solution. If your body hurts, the last thing you want to do is exercise!

But… if stress is a mental, emotional, and physical condition, then wouldn’t the ultimate treatment be something that targets all three areas?

Movement, whether it be walking, Pilates, yoga, mountain biking, or anything in between, is scientifically proven to lower stress at the psychological level in addition to building strength and improving overall health at the physical level.

But what if your stress-induced pain feels like a barrier to activity?

The good news is that services like the specialized Physical Therapy we provide for people in our office can help.

It’s an accessible and effective opportunity for anyone to get the one-on-one help they need to start moving, practice intentionality and mindfulness, and feel healthier and stronger in all aspects of life.

Is pain getting in the way of your everyday life?

We’re here to help.

CLICK HERE to request a FREE Discovery Call with one of my specialists.

Someone from my client success team will call you right away and see if you are a good fit for what we do and figure out a plan to get you back to doing the activities that you love – pain free – so that you can reduce your stress levels the right way and be your best and most healthy self 🙂

Dr. Carrie Jose, Physical Therapist and Pilates expert, owns CJ Physical Therapy & Pilates in Portsmouth and writes for Seacoast Media Group. To get in touch, or request a free copy of one of her guides to back, neck, knee, or shoulder pain, email her at [email protected].