Stress

STRESS. We talk about it, read about it, and try to avoid it. Just saying the word can make our heart beat a little faster, raise our blood pressure, cause our palms to sweat, and create tension in our neck, back, or gut. As our world has gotten faster, louder, and more complex most of us are experiencing more stress in our lives. So, what can we do about it?

First, what is stress? In simple terms, stress is the inability to adapt to the challenges in our life; whether the challenge is over-work, anxiety, a lack of sleep, toxic drugs or chemicals, a diet of junk food and sugar, a difficult relationship, an injury or illness, or simply a traffic jam.

While occasional stress can be beneficial – for example, a deadline can help us focus and become more alert and efficient – persistent or excessive stress can undermine performance and make us vulnerable to a multitude of health problems from cancer and heart disease to digestive problems, depression, and obesity.

Under stress, our adrenal glands work hard and levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) are increased to boost our energy and keep our body in a state of balance. If pushed too hard, the adrenals produce too much cortisol which leads to fatigue, making us feel exhausted, rundown, and emotionally drained.

Constant stressful stimulation ultimately leads to adrenal exhaustion. Think of the adrenals as if they were muscles. Muscles contract when the need arises and relax when the need passes. Try holding even a small glass of water straight out from your body – it doesn’t take long for your arm to fatigue and go weak. Similarly, the adrenals ultimately fatigue if not given an opportunity to relax and restore their strength and function.

Relieving stress can seem impossible. But it’s how you handle the stress that will allow you to feel better, and decrease cortisol levels. Here are five key ways to take charge of the stress in your life.

Set Boundaries: Don’t take on more than you can handle. Say “no” if you have to. Ask for help if you need it. Set realistic expectations and strive for excellence rather than perfection.

Sleep: The best way to relieve stress is to ensure you get eight hours of sleep per day. This allows time for cortisol levels to drop and give you deep, restful sleep.

Exercise: Work exercise into your schedule. It’s a natural energy and mood booster. A gratitude walk is beneficial both physically and emotionally.

Eat Well: Eat plenty of vegetables, lean protein, fruits, and whole grains. Avoid sugar, high fructose corn syrup, diet soda, and refined flour.

Meditation: Take a few minutes during the day to sit quietly and simply focus on your breathing. Focus on anything you are grateful for.

Much of our stress in unavoidable, so it is important to increase our ability to cope with it. Rather than treating the effects of stress with pain killers, blood pressure medication, purple pills and antidepressants, alternative medicine focuses on restoring the body’s ability to heal and recover from stress. Massage relaxes mind and body. Acupuncture is both relaxing and energizing. It helps to balance hormone levels, including cortisol. Chiropractic breaks the tension cycle and frees the nervous system to respond to stress in a normal, healthy way. Whole food nutritional supplements can provide additional support for the adrenal glands.

People who manage stress effectively not only are healthier, they also have more time to enjoy life and accomplish their goals. I encourage you to spend some time exploring the stresses in your life and how to best reduce their impact on your health and lifestyle.

Happy Patients

I have had back issues most of my life. Since starting treatments with Dr Greg I have had no more issues. It's such a relief to be able to be physical at the high level I want to be. I am able to maintain wellness by seeing Dr Greg on a regular basis. Thank you Dr Greg!!

Michael L.

Hello! I just want to say that you are truly a healer! After leaving your office last Monday, I was more able to breathe, truly breathe - after having suffered all weekend to take a deep breath due to a "rib out of place" OK - if you say so....all I know is that, though I continued to have a bit of pain in my upper back and neck for a day or two, I could take wonderful, glorious deep breaths thanks to your treatment. Thanks again for all you do! Even if I do make many sound affects while you are treating me - "OUCH!!! Hmmmph!! Ughhh!! Really???" I truly appreciate your healing touch....

MMW

I have had Parkinson's Disease for 8 years.  I have developed arthritis in my back and hips. The stiffness of the Parkinson's and the arthritis has caused me a lot of pain. Because of that unrelenting pain I was unable to exercise. Exercise is an important part of pain management for Parkinson's.  Since I have been seeing Dr. Krapf I am feeling much better and his care has allowed me to begin exercising again, which has improved my overall well being. In the past I have been treated by physical therapists and orthopedists. Dr. Krapf's chiropractic manipulations have had an amazing impact on my health and happiness. I highly recommend Dr. Krapf to anyone who needs excellent chiropractic care and the many alternative therapies he offers. I would say he is magical!

When my friend received excellent care from Dr. Krapf, she recommended him to me. I have had gastrointestinal problems for nearly 50 years that have recently been diagnosed with celiac disease with lactose intolerance. All that, including unrelieved stress had made me unhappy and unhealthy. Today I am a different person with the help of Dr. Greg. The Gastro issues are practically nonexistent, my stress levels have plummeted, and my body is changing. I am so grateful for Dr. Greg and his healing hands.

Mary Ann L.

Our family have been patients of Krapf chiropractic for a few decades. We have several success stories archived. The most recent event involves our youngest son who is completing his senior year of high school. He has been a patient of Krapf Chiropractic (KCA) since birth. He has been an avid soccer player since the age of four and has sustained numerous injuries over the years. Dr. Krapf has successfully assisted in every recovery.

Most recently, he began complaining of his feet hurting while playing soccer. Both feet hurt - particularly the balls of his feet while running and cutting. He came to Dr. Greg with his complaint as this was seriously affecting his game. Dr. Greg evaluated the situation and decided a foot scan should be done. The finding was dropped arches. My son was fitted for orthotics. They arrived within days and he wore these as directed. Within a few short weeks he is now playing full games pain free.

SC

I first called Krapf Chiropractic when my back was so bad that I couldn't get up off the floor. It's been a blessing to have Dr. Greg help me with my overall wellness and health! I find this to be a place where you are not a number and everyone cares. Mollie is always cheerful and reminds me to come. Erin is always smiling and helps relax me when I'm in pain. I would not be functioning if I did not have Krapf Chiropractic to keep me going. As I get older my appreciation deepens, especially when I see people around me who are suffering with back problems. If they only knew how helpful this is. I believe Dr. Greg treats the person not the symptoms. Thank you

Debbie B.

I've been lucky to have exceptional health care from the beginning. At the beginning, seventy-six-plus years ago, Hugh Rodgers brought me into the world in mother and dad's second-floor bedroom in our dairy farm home. Hugh's son, Hugh, Jr., practiced with his dad and beyond caring for my parents, he, also, cared for hundreds of others and me. Roughly forty years ago, a friend suggested I make an appointment with Richard Krapf for help with back-pain. Richard treated the pain that, often, was debilitating, and on Richard's death, his son, Greg became the second second generation to help me from one place to another. I'm grateful to Hugh, Hugh, Richard and, perhaps, most of all, to Greg.

N.C.

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