When most people think of chiropractic care, they probably think of only the physical benefits, but the truth is that there are many mental and emotional benefits, as well. In today’s world, stress and anxiety unfortunately play a role in almost everyone’s lives, and they can wreak havoc on our health over a long period of time. So, can a chiropractor actually help with anxiety? In this article, we’ll explore whether or not chiropractic adjustment can alleviate anxiety, as well as the benefits that come with holistic chiropractic care.
Understanding the Effects of Anxiety
To put it simply, anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress. Therefore, experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life, but experiencing high levels of anxiety frequently can be described as an anxiety disorder. People who experience chronic anxiety may experience symptoms like excessive or persistent worry, dread, increased heart rate, trouble sleeping, intrusive thoughts, etc.
The thing about anxiety is that it’s not all in your head (literally). Over time, anxiety and stress can wreak havoc on our bodies in both mental and physical ways. Anxiety has a huge impact on our nervous system, which is responsible for putting you into your fight-or-flight response.
When you are under a lot of stress or are anxious, your fight-or-flight response kicks into action and can cause things like headaches, nausea, trouble breathing, shaking, or stomach pain. Also, when you feel anxious, your body releases what’s called the “stress hormone,” or cortisol. Too much cortisol can cause things like inflammation and muscle tension in the body, leading to more problems over time.
So, because of the mind-body connection, anxiety doesn’t just cause mental and emotional symptoms, but it can have a big impact on the state of our physical health, as well. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to help alleviate anxiety!
Can Chiropractic Care Help Anxiety?
So, can you visit a chiropractor to help with anxiety? The answer is yes! As we’ve discussed, anxiety affects more than just your mood, it plays a bigger role in your physical health than you might think.
What exactly can a chiropractor do to help you with anxiety? If you experience chronic anxiety and stress, chances are that you also experience tight or tense muscles, and inflammation in the body. When you visit a chiropractor, they can provide gentle adjustments that will help put your body back into proper alignment, which in turn help reduce inflammation, stress, and tension.
When the spine is in optimal alignment, it improves the overall function of your nervous system. By maintaining the health of your nervous system, it can help improve your stress management and reduce symptoms of anxiety.
The Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Anxiety
Spinal adjustments performed by a chiropractor help relieve anxiety by improving the nervous system through optimal spinal alignment. By alleviating tension and pressure in your nervous system, it can help your body reduce stress levels and lower cortisol levels.
Along with relieving stress and tension in the body and mind, chiropractic care for anxiety has a few other benefits including:
- Improving sleep
- Lowering blood pressure
- Stimulating “happy” hormones such as dopamine and oxytocin
A Holistic Chiropractic Approach
Managing stress and anxiety (both mentally and physically) is a big part of maintaining your overall health and wellbeing. Chiropractic care is just one component of an overall approach to stress and anxiety management. You can benefit from incorporating other stress-reducing practices into your everyday routine like exercise, mindfulness, and healthy lifestyle choices.
Ready to take a step towards a healthier life today? Contact Imperium Health Center in Littleton, Co and schedule your consultation!
Dr. Lindsey fully believes that as her role in a doctor is to be a health coach, giving her clients the tools and knowledge to make the best educated decisions for their health and the health of their families. The body was not made to break down, it was created to thrive and adapt to its environment.
Being a native of Colorado, Dr. Lindsey loves to hike, bike, camp, dance, and travel often, but her main mission is to change the way her community views and manages their health, both physically and mentally, across all generations. Her vision is to see less pharmacies, and more farmer’s markets; less medication and more meditation; less sick days and more family days; less pain and more love.