Mental Burnout Shows in the Body

At inThrive Chiropractic in Columbus, Ohio, we see every day how stress and mental burnout show up in the body… from babies to adults.

Babies and Burnout

• Rigid legs and arms
• Colic and poor digestion
• Early signs of nervous system stress

Children Under Stress

• Fight - meltdowns, physical aggression
• Flight - regression, clinginess, avoidance
• Freeze - emotionally numb, “shutting down”

Teens and Adults

• Chronic fatigue and brain fog
• Unexplained body pain
• Anxiety and depression linked to chronic stress

Why This Happens

Stress literally changes the architecture of the brain by altering the input it receives. Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child explains how toxic stress reshapes brain development and impacts long-term health: Harvard Brain Architecture

How Chiropractic Helps

Research shows chiropractic adjustments influence brain activity—helping to turn off the stress (survival) brain and activate the logic (prefrontal cortex) brain. This means:

• Improved focus and clarity
• Reduced stress responses
• Enhanced mood and emotional regulation
• Stronger mind-body connection

Reference: “Neuroplastic Responses to Chiropractic Care” – Haavik, Niazi, et al., 2024