"Grief causes suffering and disease"

Daniel D. Palmer’s assertion that “Grief causes suffering and disease” draws a direct connection between emotional states and physical health outcomes, a perspective that predates much of the modern scientific understanding of psychosomatic illness. Palmer, as the founder of chiropractic practice, emphasized the mind-body connection, suggesting that emotional turmoil such as grief does not reside solely in the realm of the mind but manifests in tangible, physiological consequences.

Grief, as a profound emotional response to loss, initiates a cascade of psychological and physical reactions. Suffering characterizes the immediate impact, a sense of pain, emptiness, and distress that can pervade all aspects of one’s being. Yet Palmer’s deeper implication is that unresolved or intense grief does more than make one unhappy; it disrupts the body’s homeostasis, undermining immune defenses and altering hormonal balances. The sustained stress associated with grief is documented to release cortisol and other stress hormones, suppressing immune function and increasing vulnerability to a host of illnesses. Furthermore, grief often accompanies disruption in sleep, appetite, and motivation, each a fundamental pillar of health. Over time, these disruptions can contribute to cardiovascular disease, digestive problems, and lowered resilience to infection.

Palmer’s perspective reflects a holistic understanding where mental and emotional adversities translate into somatic complaints. It suggests that healing must address both the psychological and physical domains. Modern research in psychoneuroimmunology continues to validate this viewpoint, exploring how chronic emotional hardship can precipitate or aggravate disease. The phrase also cautions against disregarding emotional pain as inconsequential or dismissible. Instead, acknowledging grief’s power legitimizes the practice of tending to emotional wounds with as much care as physical ones. By connecting grief to suffering and disease, Palmer reminds us that health is a composite of both mind and body, each influencing the other, and both requiring compassion and care for genuine healing.