People come to see me mostly because they start out in pain and then figure out that health is connected to their nervous system and lifestyle choices.  Most of the time, patient understand how falling, tripping, sleeping wrong or any other type of physical stress can effect them but in a lot of cases, they are not connected to how emotional stress can play a part in their health. It has been shown over the years that there are numerous emotional and physical disorders that have been linked to stress.  Some of the most common health issues are because of increased emotional stress in our lives.   Depression, anxiety, heart attacks, stroke, hypertension as well as immune system disturbances that increase susceptibility to infections.   The common cold, herpes, AIDS and certain cancers, as well as autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis can be linked with emotional stress. We have all heard stories of friends or loved ones who have "broken out" with a rash because of stress or have had skin outbreakes like rashes, hives or atopic dermatitis.  Stress can contribute and exacerbate the gastrointestinal system (GERD, peptic ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease).  Sleeping patterns can be disrupted leading to insomnia.   Degenerative neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease have been shown to be linked to emotional stress. In almost all health issues, emotional stress can be a huge factor. Here is a diagram of areas effected by stress and 50 common signs and symptoms: 3. Stuttering or stammering 4. Tremors, trembling of lips, hands 5. Neck ache, back pain, muscle spasms 6. Light headedness, faintness, dizziness 7. Ringing, buzzing or “popping" sounds in ears 8. Frequent blushing, sweating...feeling hot 9. Cold or sweaty hands, feet 10. Dry mouth, problems swallowing 11. Frequent colds, infections, herpes sores 12. Rashes, itching, hives, “goose bumps” 13. Unexplained or frequent “allergy” attacks 14. Heartburn, stomach pain, nausea 15. Excess belching, flatulence 16. Constipation, diarrhea, loss of control of systems 17. Difficulty breathing, frequent sighing. Feeling like you don't get enough air 18. Sudden attacks of life threatening panic 19. Chest pain, palpitations, rapid pulse 20. Frequent urination 21. Diminished sexual desire or performance 22. Excess anxiety, worry, guilt, nervousness 23. Increased anger, frustration, hostility 24. Depression, frequent or wild mood swings 25. Increased or decreased appetite 26. Insomnia, nightmares, disturbing dreams 27. Difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts 28. Trouble learning new information - (it is hard to concentrate if you are upset or stressed) 29. Forgetfulness, disorganization, confusion 30. Difficulty in making decisions 31. Feeling overloaded or overwhelmed 32. Frequent crying spells or suicidal thoughts 33. Feelings of loneliness or worthlessness 34. Little interest in appearance or punctuality 35. Nervous habits, fidgeting, feet tapping 36. Increased frustration, irritability, edginess 37. Overreaction to petty things in life - becoming annoyed 38. Increased number of minor accidents 39. Obsessive or compulsive behavior 40. Reduced work efficiency or productivity 41. Lies or excuses to cover up poor work 42. Rapid or mumbled speech 43. Excessive defensiveness or suspiciousness 44. Problems in communication or sharing information 45. Social withdrawal and isolation 46. Constant tiredness, weakness, fatigue 47. Frequent use of over-the-counter drugs 48. Weight gain or loss without diet 49. Increased smoking, alcohol or drug use 50. Excessive gambling or impulse buying I am sure we have all experienced at least one of these symptoms in our life and if you think about it, we were pretty stressed.  FYI: Chiropractic care decreases stress that has accumulated in the body and is effecting your systems.   If you are experiencing anything above and want to be healthier and function as efficiently as possible, give us a call.  We are here to help you with your health and wellness goals. References: https://www.stress.org/stress-effects/