Chiropractic care has long been in connection with mental health. As early as the 1920s, it was used to help people with mental health issues. This treatment is a mind-body approach that adjusts physical symptoms to improve mental ones.
But How?
The nervous system highly influences our emotional and psychological health. Chiropractors deal with maximizing the health of the nervous system, thus improving mental health.
Let’s dive a little deeper, but first we’ll go into some background..
What Is Chiropractic Care?
It is a form of traditional medicine that diagnoses and treats disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine. The spine is an essential part of this system.
The concept of this treatment came from the knowledge that proper alignment of the musculoskeletal system will enable the body to heal itself without medication or surgery.
This hands-on therapy involves the application of pressure to the person’s spine by a qualified chiropractic doctor.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a mental health disorder characterized by strong feelings of:
- Constant worry
- Inability to relax
- Stomach upset
- Poor concentration
- Fear and confusion
- Dizziness
- Headaches and migraines
- Muscle tension
- Difficulty swallowing, and more.
People with anxiety disorder can find daily tasks like shopping or work uncomfortable. They also dread what is yet to happen, usually related to family, work, and health.
It affects about 18% of people and treatment is typically specific to each case and/or patient. Treatment includes medications, dietary management, meditation, therapy, and so on.
However, there are a lot of side effects associated with medications. Some of these include insomnia, dizziness, nausea, and blurred vision. These complicated side effects often leave people unmotivated to use medication.
But, with the mind-body connection, care with a chiropractor is a natural way to manage anxiety without side effects.
Mind and Body Connection
The physical and psychological are quite connected. This is because the brain controls how the body acts and responds to certain stimuli, thus linking the mind and body. It’s no wonder that emotional exhaustion can lead to physical illness.
Additionally, the central nervous system regulates hormones in the body. Hormonal imbalance can affect moods and contribute to mental disorders like anxiety and depression. As said earlier, the spine is an important part of the nervous system, and misalignment can cause hormonal imbalance.
The field of chiropractic works to balance spine misalignment, thus boosting the nervous system. It can also help reduce feelings of anxiety. Studies have backed up the effectiveness of this natural treatment in relieving several mental health symptoms.
Now, let’s take a look at how chiropractic care can relieve people with anxiety.
1. Mind-body Approach
Chiropractic care aims at finding the right balance between the mind and body. This ultimately improves mental wellness. Also, some symptoms of anxiety can come down to a misaligned spine, thus a link between the spinal cord and anxiety.
2. Lowers High Blood Pressure
In a study of 21 people, it was discovered that their high blood pressure was reduced following chiropractic care. Apart from this, several other studies backed up the theory that chiropractic care reduces high blood pressure. In actuality, a study showed results 15 minutes after chiropractic massage.
How Does This Relate to Anxiety?
High blood pressure is often linked to anxiety, as it’s a common symptom..
This means regular chiropractic treatment works to reduce high blood pressure and decrease symptoms of anxiety.
3. A Natural Solution without Side Effects
Chiropractic care is natural, and this is its best advantage. It means no complicated side effects.
People with anxiety usually complain about the adverse side effects of medications. This often leaves them avoiding such medications altogether, and suffering even more deeply into their condition.
Chiropractic treatment is an alternative to medication with no worries about side effects. However, if you are already on medication, it is best to seek your doctor’s advice before stopping or changing it.
4. Triggers Production of Positive Hormones
The spine, due to it’s status as the central part of the nervous system, regulates and controls the production of hormones. Sometimes, too much or too little of a type of hormone can contribute to feelings of stress, migraine and more. This, in essence, means hormones need to be properly regulated for overall wellness.
Meanwhile, studies show that aligning the spinal cord triggers the production of positive hormones like;
- Neurotensin which reduces stress-related pain
- Oxytocin, which boosts feelings of social bonding.
Thus, chiropractic care will have a positive impact on balancing hormones and production of the positive ones.
5. Encourages Relaxation and Sleep
Another symptom of anxiety is insomnia — the inability to sleep, often coupled with muscular tension.
Chiropractic patients have shown to have more relaxation after treatment, by reducing symptoms like headaches and reducing tension in muscles. For insomnia sufferers, it is easier to get sleep after chiropractic care.
6. Affordability
Traditional modes of health care are not only effective but affordable. This includes chiropractic care. Compared to other methods, it is quite a cost effective alternative to other treatments for symptoms of anxiety.
Conclusion
In summary, there’s an important link between the mind and body. This makes chiropractic care effective, not only to reduce physical pain, but to reduce symptoms of mental conditions too.
With proven research and studies, there’s also a link between the alignment of the spinal cord with physical health as well as mental health. This shows that the benefits of chiropractic care are effective in treating anxiety. This includes the reduction of stress and insomnia;
So there you have it – For fast, effective and affordable treatment for mental health issues in the Pacific Northwest, you should seek a chiropractor in Bellevue like Dr. Lonny C. Skjervheim. One amazing benefit of treatment is that while treating and dealing with anxiety, stress and other mental health issues, chiropractic care improves your physical wellness too!