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Chiropractic Care and Mental Health

Chiropractic care involves a mind-body approach that favors adjusting physical symptoms in order to improve mental ones. As chiropractors we are well-equipped to take a holistic approach to your mental health, looking at all possible ways to make you feel better.  New studies now back up the effectiveness of chiropractic care in relieving certain mental health symptoms. Chiropractic care is a natural, affordable care option for improving quality of life for patients with depression and/or anxiety.  Over 40 million adults in the United States face mental illness every year. While anxiety disorders are the most common, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Symptoms are unique to each patient, but common physical impacts of anxiety and depression include:

• Fatigue or inability to sleep
• Muscle tension and stiffness
• Headaches or migraines
• Aches and pains throughout the body
• Inability to relax

These physical symptoms can exacerbate mental symptoms and make anxiety and/or depression harder to live with. Chiropractic care helps to relieve these physical symptoms. In general, chiropractic care aims to find the right balance between your mind and body. As chiropractors we look at all health areas, including adjustments, therapies, exercise, diet and supplements. Even small changes, such as incorporating omega-3 into your diet, may have a positive impact on anxiety symptoms.

Several studies support the idea that chiropractic care can reduce blood pressure and stress symptoms. High blood pressure is a common symptom of anxiety and/or stress. Researchers found that blood pressure was reduced after chiropractic sessions. This shows that chiropractic care can reduce anxiety and stress symptoms, and help patients with mental health issues feel more stable.

One of the best benefits of chiropractic care is that it’s all-natural. Patients taking anxiety and depression medication often complain of the side effects, which include insomnia, nausea, weight gain and fatigue. Chiropractic care works to reduce anxiety symptoms, so you can potentially avoid taking medication and dealing with its side effects. Spinal health influences almost every region of your body. Studies show that after getting a chiropractic adjustment, your body triggers an increase in hormones such as neurotensin, oxytocin, and cortisol. These hormones are involved in positive nervous system functioning, such as neutralizing stress induced pain, boosting feelings of social bonding and the blockage of pain derived from inflammation. As you can imagine, spinal adjustment can have a positive impact by triggering these hormones throughout your body.  Insomnia is also a symptom of anxiety and/or depression. With chiropractic care, you may find getting to sleep a little easier. Studies report that some chiropractic manipulation may improve patient sleep patterns.

Patients with anxiety and/or depression also suffer from muscular tension. Chiropractic care can aid in reducing tension and stiffness. In addition, it can help relieve pain related to tension headaches, as many patients who live with mental health disorders also suffer from migraines. This kind of relief can have a big impact on those with anxiety and/or depression by removing these painful symptoms. Overall, chiropractic care can have a positive impact on patients’ mental health. Besides proven research, there have been many anecdotal case studies about the role of chiropractic care on anxiety and depression. At Van Ness Chiropractic we strive to provide our patients with quality care and we are here to help.

The Van Ness Chiropractic Difference

At Van Ness Chiropractic, we realize that stress and imbalance in the body is not one size fits all. We have the clinical knowledge and expert staff to offer treatment that is both effective and empowering.  Call us today at 847-842-8070 to set up your appointment for a comprehensive examination and get on the road to health today.  You can also visit us at vannesschiro.com to find out more.