STRESS IS A PAIN IN THE NECK — LITERALLY! THE LINK BETWEEN STRESS, HEADACHES, AND NECK PAIN
As Mike explained on Page 1, stress can cause all kinds of health problems — including chronic neck pain and headaches. But how does an issue in your mind migrate to your body? It turns out the connection is more direct than you might think. According to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, the process begins with adrenaline. When we’re stressed, our bodies release the hormone adrenaline which “heightens our blood pressure, increases our blood supply, and causes the muscles around our spine to tense and spasm in case we need to flee the source of the stress.” That muscle tension isn’t a big deal if your stress disappears quickly and you relax right away. But it can become a serious issue if you’re constantly on edge because of your job, household circumstance, health worries, or another stressor. When you’re constantly and subconsciously clenching your muscles for long periods, that tension can lead to neck pain. This is a big deal because neck pain often contributes to other health problems like irritability, fatigue, and depression, according to UT Southwest
Medical Center. To top it off, because your neck and shoulders are so close to your head, tightness there can also cause tension headaches. You can usually tell if your headache is a tension-type headache (TTH) by how it feels. If your forehead or another part of your head feels tight, that’s a major red flag. Your scalp, neck, and shoulders may also feel painful to the touch. Add in a dull ache between your temples and it’s a recipe for a pretty terrible day. As Mike said, figuring out the source of your stress is a great first step to relieving your neck pain and headaches if they’re stress-induced. Once you pinpoint the problem, you can take steps toward solving it. If your situation isn’t so simple (e.g., you’re stressed about a health issue or family member, or you’re a small-business owner like Mike), then regular physical therapy could do wonders for reducing your pain and tension so you can get back to enjoying your life. To learn more about how our team can help reduce your stress-related aches and pains, call us today at 847-515-8970 or visit KineticPTS.com.
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Healthier, Lighter Deviled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs are essential for Easter, so why not transform them into a healthy appetizer?
INGREDIENTS • 6 large eggs
• 3 tbsp Greek yogurt • 1 tsp Dijon mustard • 1 tsp lemon juice • Optional: Hot sauce, to taste
• Optional: Paprika and chives, chopped, for garnish
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large pot, add eggs and cover with water. Put on high heat, and then boil eggs for 10 minutes. 2. Once boiled, peel eggs by gently tapping and removing the shell. (Adding the eggs to an ice bath after boiling can make this task easier.) 3. Cut eggs lengthwise and place yolks into a medium mixing bowl. Set egg white halves open side up on a plate. 4. In a bowl, combine yolks, yogurt, mustard, lemon juice, and hot sauce (if desired) until smooth. 5. Transfer the yolk mixture into the egg white halves. Garnish with paprika and chives if desired.
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