How do we know if stress is causing you pain. You have no doubt had a tension headache and you may consider that it is from job stress, money stress, relationship stress.

What about other pains, like back or neck pain. Are you carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders?

What about your stomach? Does it feel tight or upset throughout the day as you try to keep that work deadline?

What about your jaw, is that clenched too as you think about all the “stuff” that has to get done?

Most of us have experienced some degree of these scenarios.

Much of our daily aches and pains, our chronic pains can be equated with stress. We may not think about it, or maybe we just accept that it is part of life. What can we do? We have many daily demands on us that need to be met. Maybe we think there is simply nothing we can do about it.

Consider that most of us spend a good portion of our day sitting and working in front of a computer. The combination of sitting, less than perfect posture and stress contribute to a large portion of our daily aches and pains.

What can we do?

Actually some simple things that take little time can help tremendously.

Simply standing up periodically and raising your hands to the ceiling while stretching out your fingers can help to release stiffness and stress. Expanding your body instead of contracting it helps to activate a relaxation response in our bodies. Try it, I think you will find it very helpful.

Another simple stretch you can do just about anywhere you can find a door will help to counter that contracted feeling. By simply placing the under side of your forearms (as shown below) against the door frame and taking a small step forward through the door will open up your chest and help release your back and shoulder muscles.

You can even practice some deep breathing while you do these exercises. It shouldn’t take more than five minutes and you will feel immediately better than you did.

Do this periodically throughout the day and I bet you will find the level of aches and pains decrease! All of this in turn will lessen the amount of stress you feel as well.

Try it and let me know how it goes!!

Of course acupuncture is renowned for easing stress and reducing pain!