The holiday season truly is a wonderful time of year. But many will agree it can be a stressful time as well. We are subjected to a lot of change in how we live day to day and at times this can be enough to bring on injury, pain, and a general distaste for yet another Iowa winter. Here are some of the ways stressors work into our lives during this busy season, and how caring for your spine can help.

Physical stressors
Changes in temperature contribute to increased muscle tension, especially in the neck and mid back. Snow on the ground means shoveling, and the combination of bending and twisting with the weight of the snow in your shovel can contribute to injury or muscle soreness that can keep you down and out for several days. Traveling for the holidays? The increased sitting can contribute to long term stretching of the muscles and ligaments in your back which can contribute to pain. We are naturally less active during the Winter, and who could blame us, it’s Iowa. However, finding ways to keep active indoors allows us to continue using our spines for what they were meant to do; move, support ourselves against gravity, and protect your nervous system and vital organs.

Chemical stressors
These stressors are harder to see and pick out. But one thing is sure, this time of year means F O O D ! Many of us look forward to this time of year for the comfort foods we have grown to love. It is important to keep in mind that what we take into our bodies is the fuel for all the chemical reactions that have to take place to make proteins, convert that food to energy, and store healthy fat. High carbohydrate intake can affect gut bacteria which can produce further inflammation, while consuming large amounts of food at one time can spike blood sugar and require our body to utilize more insulin. In the short term, our bodies are really good at adapting to day to day changes like a Thanksgiving meal, but don’t wait for your New Year resolution to add some good foods into the mix!

Mental/Emotional
Connections between our physical and emotional state have been demonstrated time and time again. One story I was reminded of recently was of a worker who stepped on a nail and was transported to the emergency department in agony only to remove the boot to find the nail was between the toes rather than sticking through the foot as it was expected to be. The lesson I take from this is not that all pain is made up. Instead I see this as proof of three things:  

• Our brains have a strong protection. 
• Our minds are incredibly powerful and can affect how our physical body feels.  
• The same mind can contribute to recovery in an empowered emotional state.

The adjustment works well to improve function of the spine and has been shown to improve recovery after an injury. In addition, there is a rising amount of research studying how the adjustment can affect areas of the brain that are thought to be related to chronic pain. This research is continuing to reveal ways spinal manipulation affects not just physical movement at a joint, but also the nervous system, chemical changes, brain activation, and muscle tone and tension.

Dr. Conrad Bush is a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic. He has special interests in weight loss, biomechanics, extremities, and sports rehab. He is currently working toward certification in Active Release Technique, which focuses on treating the soft tissue system of the body.