Find Natural Relief from Stress and Tension at East West Chiropractic.
Overview
While the terms tension and stress typically go hand-in-hand and are used interchangeably, it is important to note they are two distinct conditions with different meanings and implications to our bodies.
Symptoms/Causes
Tension: Is a physical sensation of tightness or tension in the body and/or muscles. Tension can lead to back pain, neck pain and headaches. While stress can sometimes cause tension, it can also be caused by poor posture, overuse and injury. Tension in the muscles can also create inflammation, stiffness, and limited range of motion.
Stress: Is a mental state of emotional strain, typically brought on by difficult or demanding situations or a physiological response to a threat or dangerous situation. It can manifest as feelings of anxiety, worry, irritability, and fatigue. When our bodies experience stress, they release the hormones adrenaline and cortisol, which cause our muscles to contract and become tense. This is why the terms are often used together or interchangeably. Chronic stress can lead to persistent muscle tension, which can contribute to conditions like headaches, neck pain, and back pain. High levels of cortisol creates inflammation in the body, turning even small issues into larger ones. Stress also inhibits normal digestion and gut function, causing many gastrointestinal issues.
Treatment
Chiropractic care is a valuable tool for managing tension and stress by addressing the physical imbalances that are contributing to the symptoms. By realigning the spine, nervous system function is improved, muscle tension is reduced and cortisol levels are lowered, promoting overall well-being. Chiropractic helps to reset the body’s autonomic nervous system, restoring the network of functions and processes.
Additional therapies can include:
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) to promote cellular repair helping the tense muscles recover faster and to encourage the body’s natural healing and stress release abilities.
Soft tissue treatments including massage, dry needling, other treatment methods to relax and improve the function of tight muscles.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) to stimulate blood flow, help reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair.
Supplementation to help decrease stress and anxiety and to support the body’s ability to recover and heal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not only is chiropractic care a great option for correcting the misalignments that contribute to the pain and discomfort caused by tension, but it also addresses the neurologic symptoms of stress. Chronic stress can disrupt the nerve impulses that control the function of our cells, organs and other crucial systems. This affects the body’s ability to fight infection, making you more susceptible to sickness and disease. Chiropractic adjustments can improve the flow of nerve impulses, enhancing immune health.
While it is a common practice, over-the-counter pain relievers have many side effects and complications, including nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, and constipation. Serious side effects include liver damage, bleeding ulcers and kidney problems. Additionally, if taken frequently, OTC relievers can also make symptoms worse, as seen in rebound headaches.
EWC does accept some insurances, however, every plan is different and therefore deductibles, copays and out of pocket expenses vary greatly. Our experienced insurance manager will verify your coverage and provide you with a summary of your chiropractic benefits. Please note verification is not a guarantee of benefits or payment. We also offer very affordable cash rates and care packages to fit your needs.
At East West Chiropractic in Groton, CT, our expert team is dedicated to helping you live pain-free through personalized chiropractic care with non-invasive therapies. We educate and empower our patients to live healthier and achieve optimal quality of life.
Pain relief and better health is just one call away. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and begin your journey to a more active and fulfilling life.
What Our Patients Are Saying
Meet the Team
Dr. Deveau is a local boy, born and raised in Ledyard. At the young age of 10, he remembers moving his toes and wondering “what has to happen in the body for that thought to travel and turn into an action in my toes”. That started a lifelong interest in health and body and a fascination with how it all works together. He grew up very active in sports, playing soccer and baseball and was a competitive wrestler. His interest in physical fitness guided him to body building during early adulthood and sparked a passion for biomechanics. In 1989, he then ventured off to California to work as a private trainer at a chiropractic office. He was inspired by what he saw and decided to make chiropractic a career by enrolling in the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, graduating in 1996. In September of that year, he moved back to Connecticut and started East West Chiropractic.
He has continued his passion for health, keeping his mind open to new ideas and treatments, which has made East West Chiropractic one of the most technologically advanced chiropractic offices in the state. He has hundreds of hours of continuing education in neurology, nutrition, biomechanics, and the health effects of stress and he applies his wealth of knowledge to the treatment plans for his patients.
He currently enjoys tennis, golf, pickleball, shooting, boating… really all the “ings”!
Dr. Zeppieri’s journey with East West Chiropractic began not as a doctor, but as a patient. With a lifelong background in athletics and fitness, he first visited the clinic after suffering an ankle injury while playing football. It was during his rehabilitation that he discovered chiropractic care was far more comprehensive than he had initially realized. This experience sparked a deep interest and growing passion for the field.
While earning his degree in Exercise Science from Central Connecticut State University, Dr. Zeppieri took on multiple roles at East West Chiropractic—including working in therapy and assisting Dr. Deveau—which further solidified his commitment to holistic healthcare. After graduation, he pursued his doctorate at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, widely regarded as the birthplace of Chiropractic. While at Palmer, he continued his athletic pursuits, playing travel rugby alongside his
studies.
In 2024, Dr. Zeppieri returned to where it all began—joining the team of doctors at East West Chiropractic. He brings with him a strong belief in the power of holistic health, emphasizing proper exercise, strength training, functional mobility, and nutrition as essential components of his approach
to chiropractic care.
Whether you’re recovering from an injury or aiming to enhance your overall quality of life, Dr. Zeppieri is dedicated to helping you achieve your health goals—leaving no stone unturned.
Dr. Shipper was raised on a farm in Pennsylvania, where she developed a deep appreciation for healthy living early in life. Her lifelong involvement in athletics, combined with time spent shadowing her father in his medical practice, sparked a passion for biomechanics and holistic healing.
A graduate summa cum laude from the University of Bridgeport, Dr. Shipper earned her Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree in 2018. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Biotechnology from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI).
As a mother, Dr. Shipper brings a compassionate and informed perspective to her work with growing families. She specializes in care that supports natural development, prenatal comfort, and postnatal recovery. Her practice welcomes patients of all ages and activity levels—from athletes and weekend warriors to office professionals and busy parents and their children.
Outside the clinic, Dr. Shipper enjoys kickboxing, hiking, skiing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, crocheting, reading, and rock climbing.
Whether you’re seeking pain relief, improved mobility, or proactive wellness care, Dr. Shipper creates personalized treatment plans tailored to your goals. At the heart of her practice is a simple belief: everybody – no matter the age – deserves the chance to feel balanced, strong, and supported.