Today, we are going to answer “Can chiropractic help anxiety?”, and touch on how anxiety and chiropractors have effected our family.
We, as a family, have been receiving regular chiropractic care for many years. The purpose of our first chiropractic session was not to address chronic pain. In fact, after researching the benefits of chiropractic care, we felt it may have a positive impact on our family’s quality of life.
Our youngest daughter was having undiagnosed issues that were effecting her daily life. Since we exhausted all tests with medical doctors, we turned to a pediatric chiropractor who specializes in applied kinesiology (AK) to help us find answers. From that point on, my husband, youngest daughter, and I have continued chiropractic manipulation to prevent physical and mental health issues from arising.
I hope, through this article, you are able to better understand anxiety, and how chiropractic adjustments can effect the central nervous system.
Types of Anxiety
Let’s first take a moment to look at some of the different types of anxiety.
Transitional Anxiety
This type of anxiety disorder is most common with children. Transitioning from one location to another, rushing dead lines, or dwelling on the excitement of what’s to come can be difficult and stressful. This is what my daughter has. If interested, I can write more about her journey.
Separation Anxiety
This can occur in children, teenagers, and adults, but is most common with the youth. When one has severe stress or dysfunction when separated from their loved ones, they should seek treatment.
Social Anxiety Disorder
An intense or persistent fear of being watched or judged. Treatment can help overcome symptoms.
Panic Disorder
This anxiety disorder is an intense fear that leads to physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, heart palpitations, and chest pain.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
This is an anxiety diagnosis that is seen in those who have constant worry, overthink everything, difficulty handling uncertainty, etc.
Anxiety Symptoms
Unfortunately, in the United States, anxiety is the most common mental illness amongst children and adults. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s recent studies, people with anxiety or depressive disorder increased from 36% to 42% in 2021. “Increases were largest among adults aged 18–29 years and those with less than a high school education.” (CDC).
Adults and children can experience different feelings of anxiety. Feeling some anxiety is normal. It is our brain’s way of letting us know something is not right.
Too much anxiety, however, can prevent adults and children from living a happy life. It is clear anxiety problems and depression can effect your physical health as well as your psychological health.
Common Symptoms of Anxiety:
- Increased heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Panic attacks
- Muscle tension
- Significant increase in weight gain
- Significant decrease in weight loss
- Tension headaches
- Hormonal imbalances
- Poor sleep patterns
- Major depression
- Mood swings and/or poor emotional health
- Chronic stress
- Stomach pains and/or gagging
- Trouble concentrating
- High cortisol levels
According to Merriam-Webster, stress is defined as “something that causes strong feelings of worry or anxiety”. The effects of anxiety and stress are tolling.
There is a definite mind-body connection that needs to be addressed for true anxiety relief. This is one of the main reasons we LOVE our regular visits for chiropractic treatment.
We prefer to heal any ailment or physical symptoms in a natural way. If you, too, want to address your stress symptoms or mental conditions with holistic care, I suggest visiting a wellness chiropractor.
Next, let’s answer “How can chiropractic help anxiety and your overall health?“.
Chiropractic Treatment of Anxiety
Before you take your symptom of anxiety to any chiropractor, it’s important to do your research first.
There are different types of chiropractors, and each offer different treatment options, Some focus solely on spinal manipulation for relieving symptoms such as neck pain, back pain, and headaches. Whereas, other CHRIMD’s apply a mind-body approach to healing a variety of issues within the entire body.
Our chiropractor in Ohio practices applied kinesiology along with spinal cord adjustments. Whereas, our new chiropractors in North Carolina have a holistic approach, focus on breath work, nutrition, and alignments.
Such proper alignment helped us all improve our physical and mental condition.
Benefits of Chiropractic for Anxiety
After receiving chiropractic care, most experience a state of deep relaxation. As you can imagine, being deeply relaxed gives way to healing anxiety disorder symptoms!
- Relaxes the Body: gentle pressure to manipulate the patient’s spine and other body areas during a chiropractic procedure. It restores mobility into the joints and enhances blood flow, which improves nerve functioning.
2. Improves sleep: A lack of sleep affects your mood and mental health. The Sleep Foundation states “anxiety and sleep deprivation can be self-reinforcing; worrying causes poor sleep, contributing to greater anxiety and further sleep difficulties”.
3. Releases positive hormones: The happy hormones, such as cortisol, oxytocin, and neurotensin, can reduce stress, decrease inflammation, and increase feelings of social bonding.
- Cortisol. Assists the body in dealing with stress.
- Oxytocin. Known as the “love hormone” helps with understanding others’ feelings and building a connection.
- Neurotensin. It modifies the discomfort caused by stress.
4. Lowers Blood Pressure
5. Holistic Approach: A medication-free way to handle anxiety and depression.
6. Balances Mind and Body: Chiropractors can align our bodies, assuring everything is in working order. That, in turn, will allow the mind focus on healing and overcoming anxiety.
In short, if you’re still wondering can chiropractic help anxiety. the answer is yes.
If you or a loved one is experiencing emotional stress, physical stress, or joint pain, I highly suggest visiting a wellness chiropractor.
The health of the nervous system is imperative to the whole body.
Speaking on behalf of our family; regular spinal adjustments, breath work, and small changes to our lifestyle has increased our overall health tremendously.
Before you go, here are more posts you’ll enjoy:
The Best Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent Options
15 Best Vitamin C Shower Filter Options
The Best Organic Vitamin D Supplements
Organic vs Pasture Raised Chicken and Eggs