The Expat Body: How Moving Countries Affects Your Health. Observations from A Den Haag Chiropractor

As a chiropractor in a community with many expats, I’ve noticed something interesting over the years. Many people who come into the clinic aren’t just dealing with back pain or neck tension.

They’re dealing with transition.

This topic came up recently during a conversation about patients preparing to move to Dubai. We talked about opportunity, sunshine, career growth — but also the invisible stress that comes with relocating your entire life.

It made me reflect on my own experience.

I moved from the US to Den Haag almost 9 years ago. It was absolutely the right decision. But I underestimated how much that move would affect my nervous system.

Moving Is a Full-System Stressor

When you relocate, you’re not just changing your address.

You’re changing:

Culture

Language

Social circles

Work environments

Sleep patterns

Daily routines

Your nervous system doesn’t label stress as “good” or “bad.”

It simply registers: adapt.

And adaptation takes energy.

You might notice:

Tight shoulders

Jaw tension

Poor sleep

Digestive changes

Headaches

Feeling wired but tired

Even positive change can push the body into survival mode for a while.

The Nervous System Is the Real Story

At Essential Chiropractic, we look beyond pain.

Because often it’s not “just” back pain.

It’s a nervous system that’s been in adaptation mode for months.

Moving countries requires physical, emotional, and environmental recalibration. New commuting habits (hello Dutch bikes), new offices, different mattresses, different weather — your body is constantly adjusting.

When adaptation capacity is exceeded, symptoms show up.

Not because your body is weak.

But because it’s working overtime.

What I See in Expats in Den Haag

Many expats are high-performing, capable, resilient people.

But resilience doesn’t mean you don’t need support.

Once nervous system tension decreases and spinal function improves, people often report:

Better sleep

Clearer thinking

Less anxiety

More stress tolerance

That’s not magic.

That’s physiology.

If You’re Navigating a Move

Whether you just arrived in The Hague or you’re preparing to relocate again, give your body space to adapt.

Prioritize sleep.

Move daily.

Don’t ignore subtle tension.

Support your nervous system before things escalate.

Relocation is growth.

But growth requires recovery.

And sometimes the most essential thing you can do… is help your system reset.