The Chiropractic-Mental Health Connection You Didn’t Know
By Dr. Drew Voelsch
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Chiropractic care is an alternative medicinal approach focusing on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders. Chiropractors use various adjustment techniques to manipulate the spine and other body parts to relieve pain and improve function.
Since the spine is a part of the musculoskeletal system and is directly connected to the brain via the spinal cord, research has shown that chiropractic care can effectively treat mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and stress.
One study found that patients who underwent chiropractic adjustments for neck pain had significantly lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to those who did not receive chiropractic care.
Another found that patients with fibromyalgia who received chiropractic care had reductions in pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression.
So, how does chiropractic care help with mental health conditions? One theory is that chiropractic care can help reduce stress and tension in the body, leading to reductions in symptoms of mental health conditions. Another theory is that chiropractic care can help improve the nervous system’s function, which can also lead to improvements in mental health.
Whatever the mechanism, there is evidence that chiropractic care can effectively treat mental health conditions. If you suffer from a mental health condition, consider talking to a chiropractor about how chiropractic care could help you.
The nervous system controls the body’s response to stress and emotions. Chiropractic care helps to remove interference in the nervous system, which allows the body to regulate its response to stress better. This can improve the symptoms of mental health disorders.
The Improvements
Manipulating the spine results in these health benefits and connections which you may not have known until today:
- Better blood flow: When the spine is manipulated through chiropractic care, it allows blood to flow more freely throughout the body. This can help relax stressed, tense muscles and provide therapeutic benefits for mental health issues.
- Less nerve stress: If the bones in your spine are not aligned properly, it can pressure the nerves around it. This can cause problems in other parts of your body because the nervous system affects the whole body. A chiropractor can help fix this by aligning the bones and relieving the pressure on the nerves. They may also recommend coming for regular adjustments and adding things like massage or meditation to your routine.
- Positive hormone release: After getting an adjustment from a chiropractor, your body produces more of certain stress-reducing hormones. These hormones can help to ease pain caused by inflammation and improve communication between the nervous system and the brain. They may also increase feelings of social bonding and reduce stress-related pain.
- Relaxed muscles: According to a study, spinal manipulation can help reduce muscle activity by up to 25 percent, leading to improved relaxation for the person!
Additionally, chiropractors can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues through various treatments. These treatments target specific problem areas and use mind and body approaches such as diet, exercise, supplements, regular adjustments, and consistent therapy sessions to keep the mind and body aligned.
Keep the Connection with Hawkeye Chiropractic
Experience the mental health benefits of an adjustment with an Arlington chiropractic at Hawkeye! We’re a full-service center headed by me, Dave Voelsch, a leading practitioner in the local area that will pinpoint your problem and treat it during each session. Book via our website now!
“Dr Drew is upfront about what’s going on with your body. He helps work with you to achieve the goals that you as a patient want to set. I highly recommend him to those interested in chiropractic services.P.S Go Cyclones!”