16/07/2025
We often hear about inflammation, but we rarely talk about how stress fuels it.
Here’s what happens:
- When you are stressed, your body releases cortisol and adrenaline.
- In small bursts, these hormones help you cope, but chronic stress dysregulates the immune system.
- Over time, cortisol becomes less effective at controlling inflammation.
- This leads to increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines—chemical messengers that amplify pain and swelling.
- Stress also increases muscle tension and reduces blood flow, making joints feel stiffer and more painful.
The nervous system and immune system are in constant communication. So when you are mentally overwhelmed, your body often “speaks” through pain, especially in joints already under strain from poor posture, past injuries, or chronic conditions like:
🌿 Gut issues (e.g. IBS, SIBO)
⚖️ Hormonal dysregulation (e.g. perimenopause, thyroid imbalance)
🔥 Autoimmune conditions (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
🍃 Long-term stress or burnout
📌 Bottom line: If your joint pain spikes after a hectic week, it’s not random, your biology is responding to your stress load.
That’s why at Wellthy Clinic, we go beyond symptoms to address the root causes: stress regulation, inflammation, movement, and nutrition working together.
