Stuck in ‘fight or flight’ mode? Connect Chiropractic
You have most likely heard of the acute stress response that we call ‘fight or flight’. It is likely you know someone, or you yourself are stuck in this mode.
So, what exactly is it and what stimulates it? Why are so many stuck in this state, and what are the repercussions? ‘Fight or flight’ happens when our sympathetic nervous system is activated. There is an opposing nervous system called the parasympathetic nervous system which results in a ‘rest and digest’ response.
Both are very important to vital functions of the human body. Problems arise when one of the nervous systems is over-activated. It is becoming clearer that a large percentage of society is stuck in ‘fight or flight’ mode through an over-active sympathetic nervous system.
When this is activated, our heart rate and breathing increase, eyesight is enhanced, and digestive function is suppressed. This sounds great, yet there are dire consequences if activated for prolonged periods. 
Potential symptoms are increased muscle tension, headaches, neck and upper back tension, anxiety, migraines, seizures, dizziness, tachycardia, heart arrhythmias, loss of appetite and
many more. People get stuck in this state due to stressful environments, high-tempo lifestyles, screen time, PTSD, lack of exercise, and poor nutritional intake, which all play significant roles in stimulating the sympathetic nervous system.
Connect Chiropractic’s Dr Matthew Wild uses the analogy of a cup filling up slowly. Every stressful event, every hour of screen time, every event rushed to, and each day without adequate movement, this cup slowly fills up. When the cup overflows, symptoms are experienced, and the more times that cup overflows, the more severe the symptoms become. “Chiropractic adjustments are an effective way of taking a serious load off your overwhelmed nervous system.” Matthew says.
What role can chiropractic play in this environment?
• Chiropractic adjustments serves to help tip some water out of that filling cup, to avoid it overflowing and resulting in significant symptoms.
• Chiropractic adjustments help to restore normal movement of the spine and optimise brain-to-body communication.
