Anatomy in Action Series: Supporting Patients with Stress
Laurie Mueller
BA, DC, CFMP
Introduction
Chances are that most of the patients who come into your office are suffering from stress. It is so prevalent that the World Health Organization has dubbed stress the "Health Epidemic of the 21st Century". According to 2014 statistics published by The American Institute of Stress, 77% of people experience stress that affects their physical health, 73% have stress that impacts their mental health, and at least 48% of people will have trouble sleeping because of stress. With the emergence and changes that Covid-19 brought forth in 2020, those numbers have only grown.
The Stress Response
The stress response in our body is meant to be an occasional reaction to a stimulus (think big, growling dog chasing us). This response allows our body to shunt energy where it is needed to run away or cope with the stressor. Our body then finds equilibrium and goes back to normal. It is all controlled by our hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (brain and adrenal glands) and the hormones and chemicals secreted because of stress.
In our modern fast-moving society, however, stress has become an unwelcome norm. It has become a daily ongoing experience for many individuals, in whom the stress response doesn't stop firing. When stress levels stay elevated far longer than necessary, it takes a toll on overall health and leads to what we loosely term "burnout" or adrenal fatigue.
Symptoms of Chronic Stress
With current statistics, it is safe for CAs to assume that a vast number of patients are battling the effects and difficulties of chronic stress. The bottom line is that anyone could suffer from stress and how a person copes with perceived stressors can create different reactions with different people and can take its toll with very individual symptoms. Many of our patients will tell us outright, "I feel stressed." So that is definitely a big clue.
Psychological symptoms of chronic stress range from being overly emotional or quick to anger, to anxiety, depression, and having a lack of drive or interest in things. More physically oriented symptoms include: profound fatigue, insomnia, digestive changes, skin complaints, changes in blood pressure, tense muscles, headaches, panic attacks, issues with sex drive and/or reproductive system and even a weakened immune system.
Supporting Patients with Stress
If you're a patient, your doctor may opt to combat stress with an arsenal of tools: chiropractic, massage, dietary change, nutritional supplementation, lifestyle changes, and recommendations for self-care like mindfulness training, meditation/yoga, or co-care with a counselor or other professional. If your doctor uses diet and supplementation, ask to learn more about the strategies used to reduce systemic inflammation in the body and the nutrients that support the adrenal glands in particular. Sometimes supplements will be given individually and sometimes they may be available as convenient formulations. If your office carries a line of products, go to the website and read about the formulations.
Lifestyle changes could include eliminating sugar, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, alcohol, or things like gluten from the diet. Often nutritional support will be incorporated and may include things like omega fatty acids, vitamin D3, or natural anti-inflammatories like turmeric. Some offices may even offer herbal adaptogens that can help support the adrenals and hormone balance.
If you're a doctor, keep in mind that these patients don't feel well, and making the necessary changes to combat stress and support the adrenals is not easy. Your encouragement can make a big difference. If you have knowledge or experience with a certain supplement that the patient will be taking, say something reassuring about it. Help the patient feel secure in the protocol. Suggestions for calming decaf teas like chamomile or Tulsi may be welcome, as well as encouraging self-care and sleep. Often a nighttime routine that includes a hot shower and early bedtime can be suggestions that are well received.
You never know what kind of journey or struggles a patient is facing in their life. In the realm of stress, a simple smile and supportive attitude can create a safe haven of healing that patients with stress desperately need. In today's society, the impact you can have on your patients (and the office) by creating a kind, understanding, and informed atmosphere can never be underestimated.
Laurie Mueller, BA, DC, CFMP, served in private practice in San Diego, California. She was the postgraduate director at Palmer College from 2000 to 2010; served as the ACC postgraduate subcommittee chair for six years; peer-reviewed for the Research Agenda Conference; and wrote the informal role determination study that aided in the development of FCLB's guidelines for chiropractic assistants (CCCAs). Dr. Mueller currently works as a private eLearning consultant with a focus on healthcare topics and functional medicine through her company, Impact Writing Solutions LLC, and subsidiaries CCCAonline.com and fxmedonline.com. She is a clinician, educator, and expert in online learning pedagogy.
