May 20, 2024
When dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, or any other mental issue, your first reaction may be to think of it as a separate issue from the rest of your body. However, the two work in conjunction, and the health of one directly affects the other.
Treating physical conditions can directly affect your mental health. The reverse is also true. Chiropractic is an effective method for dealing with both psychological and physical health. Read here to see what anxiety is, the connection it has to the body, and how chiropractic may be able to help.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of fear, uneasiness, or even dread. It can be a natural stress response. For example, you may feel anxious before a test or a big decision. Anxiety can give a boost of energy or enhance focus, but prolonged anxiety is a more significant issue than you may believe.
How Does Anxiety Affect the Body?
Anxiety, as a condition, can affect people in different ways. Some may have digestive issues, others may find difficulty breathing, and a slew of other symptoms.
Some common symptoms include:
- Rapid breathing
- Restlessness
- Headaches
- Trouble concentrating
- Trouble falling asleep
Stress can induce any number of these symptoms (and others not listed). Since people are affected differently, no two people will have the same symptoms.
Can Spinal Misalignment Cause Anxiety?
Subluxations (spinal misalignments) are not a direct cause of anxiety but can contribute to stressors in your body. These misalignments can lead to pain or discomfort, even if you don’t fully perceive it or have become desensitized.
Adding stress to the body leads to trouble sleeping and potentially feelings of depression. All of these factors contribute to anxiety. By targeting the root of the issue, subluxation, chiropractors can remove stress from the body rather than treating the after-effects.
How Can Chiropractic Treatments Help Anxiety?
Multiple studies have shown that chiropractic treatments can reduce anxiety. In one study, patients who were suffering from anxiety and high blood pressure were given chiropractic treatments by an experienced professional. The control group of this study had the same issues and did not receive the same treatments.
Research shows that patients who received chiropractic treatments saw a significant reduction in blood pressure and a decrease in perception of anxiety. Besides lowering blood pressure, chiropractic adjustments release hormones that reduce anxiety. Some chiropractic treatments can help improve sleep patterns as well.
Chiropractic adjustments intend to relieve tension, stiffness, and headaches, all of which contribute to anxiety. By relieving stressors or stress aggravators, we can effectively treat anxiety.
Chiropractic Treatment Benefits for Mental Health
Chiropractic can help with more than just anxiety. It has the potential to influence multiple mental health issues positively. Some common mental health issues chiropractic can help with are:
Depression
- Reduces blood pressure
- Improves sleep
- Reducing chronic pain
- Restores endocrine function
ADHD
- Reduces skeletal and muscular imbalance
- Enhances brain and body communication
- Supports nervous system functionality
Sensory Processing Disorder
- Improve sensory processing ability
- Retrain senses
- Increases ability to tolerate environmental stresses
These benefits include improved range of motion, increased positive hormones, and increased overall well-being with chiropractic adjustments. Chiropractic is an effective method of treating these issues as a natural option. Because chiropractic is all-natural, no side effects come from medications, making it effective for those looking for a homeopathic solution.
Chiropractic Experts in Clearwater, FL
Our team of expert chiropractors is ready to help with any issues you might have. Our chiropractors are equipped for every scenario with specialties in sports medicine, nutrition counseling, and other alternative health treatments.
Call 727-447-4647 or contact us today to get started on your path to health!
About the Author: With over three decades of experience, Dr. Jere Jarrett is a highly educated and experienced chiropractor who serves Clearwater, FL, and the surrounding areas. He takes a “whole-body” approach to chiropractic care. Instead of treating symptoms, Dr. Jarrett looks for the underlying cause of pain and discomfort. Call 727-447-4647 to schedule an appointment!