Many people think chiropractic treatment is only for treating back or neck pains.
However, there’s more to chiropractic care than that. Chiropractic treats the whole person—physically and mentally. Like everything else in life, it’s all about balance, which is critical in managing anxiety or depression.
The valuable connection between chiropractic care and anxiety can help people with anxiety manage their symptoms. Although there is no easy way to cure anxiety, chiropractic care is a viable treatment option for those looking for gentle, holistic, and non-invasive treatments to improve their quality of life.
Let’s examine how people suffering from anxiety disorders can reap the benefits of chiropractic care. Advanced Chiropractors Group is here for you.
What Is Anxiety?
According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are America’s most common mental illnesses. It affects 40 million Americans aged 18 or older —18.1% of the country’s population — each year.
Anxiety disorders are caused by various risk factors, including genetics, personality, brain chemistry, and even life events. It is not unusual for people with anxiety disorders to also have depression.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders vary. Here’s a list of symptoms for a generalized anxiety disorder:
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Sleep problems
- Concentration difficulties
- Feelings of worry
- Restlessness
Common Anxiety Medications
Before we move on to chiropractic care and anxiety, here’s a quick rundown of medications used to manage anxiety symptoms:
1. Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are used to relax your muscles and calm your mind. They increase the effects of neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that relay information between your brain cells.
Benzodiazepines can treat many anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.
2. Antidepressants
Antidepressant medications help manage anxiety symptoms by altering the brain’s neurotransmitters. Patients notice their effects in as little as four to 6 weeks.
3. Buspirone
Buspirone is used for both short-term and long-term anxiety disorders. It is thought to influence mood-regulating chemicals in the brain; however, this is still not completely understood.
Buspirone can take up to several weeks to reach its full effectiveness. It is available both as a generic drug and as Buspar, a brand-name drug.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Anxiety’s mental symptoms are amplified by its physical symptoms, making anxiety and depression harder to manage. Luckily, chiropractors are uniquely equipped to alleviate these symptoms.
Chiropractic care helps people with mental health issues by:
1. Lowering Blood Pressure
High blood pressure and stress symptoms are signs of anxiety. Research shows that chiropractic sessions and massage therapy reduce high blood pressure, which further supports the belief that massage therapy and chiropractic treatments help reduce anxiety.
Another study showed that workplace massage therapy effectively lowers blood pressure and reduces employee strain. These results show that a chiropractor for anxiety can help reduce stress and anxiety symptoms and improve mental stability for patients suffering from mental disorders.
2. Promoting an All-Natural Approach
The best thing about chiropractic therapy is its natural approach to wellness. Many patients who take anxiety or depression medication complain about its side effects, including fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, and nausea.
Chiropractic sessions help reduce anxiety symptoms, which frees you from taking a lot of medications and dealing with their side effects. However, do not change or discontinue medication without consulting your doctor.
3. Triggering the Release of Positive Hormones
The health of your spine can affect every part of your body. According to a 2014 study, chiropractic adjustments can trigger an increase of positive hormones, such as neurotensin, cortisol, and oxytocin. Neurotensin reduces stress-induced pain, and cortisol blocks pain resulting from inflammation. Lastly, oxytocin increases neuro-communication and feelings of social bonding.
4. Relieving Stress and Tension
One of the many chiropractic benefits patients with anxiety or depressive disorders achieve is relief from stiffness and tension. It also helps alleviate tension headaches and migraines, which many people with mental disorders suffer from.
Generally, massage therapy and chiropractic sessions help decrease pain for patients with mental illness, significantly affecting those suffering from anxiety or depression.
5. Promoting Sleep
Lack of sleep can worsen stress and anxiety. How does chiropractic help? Chiropractic treatment can make sleeping more manageable and improve sleep quality. Regular chiropractic adjustments of your neck will reduce your chance of developing sleep apnea.
Your chiropractor can also help you sleep by naturally lowering your cortisol levels with chiropractic adjustments to the spine.
6. Focusing on a Mind-Body Approach
Chiropractic treatment seeks to achieve the best balance between your mind and body. This is done by visiting a chiropractor for anxiety for treatments, diets, supplements, spine adjustments, and exercise that benefit your entire health.
Making minor adjustments, such as incorporating omega-3 into your daily diet, may also reduce anxiety symptoms.
How Does Chiropractic Help With Anxiety?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for anxiety. If you are suffering from anxiety symptoms, it is crucial to seek the help of a qualified mental health professional, especially if your anxiety is accompanied by panic attacks or depression.
If you’re looking into chiropractic care and anxiety, some common chiropractic treatments that help with anxiety include:
1. Spinal Adjustments
Spinal adjustments naturally restore your body’s health by improving nerve function. It also helps increase blood circulation, which helps reduce stress and anxiety.
2. Relaxation Techniques
To help with anxiety, a chiropractor may recommend relaxation techniques, which include breathing techniques, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and changing your posture and environment.
3. Supplements
Nutrition, chiropractic care, exercise, and food choices play a vital role in ensuring your good health and well-being. A chiropractor may recommend nutritional supplements as a complement to your treatment.
Vitamins can help relieve stress and anxiety. They are essential for optimal body function and make sure you get the right amount of minerals your body needs.
Here are some nutrients that can directly affect your bones’ health and nervous system:
- Vitamin D
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Vitamin B12
4. Deep Tissue Massage
Deep pressing and kneading muscles release knots and ease tension. These massage techniques effectively relieve chronic pain and anxiety when done correctly.
Advanced Chiropractors Group Is Here for You
With our help, total wellness is within your reach.
Advanced Chiropractors Group has a network of licensed chiropractors in Clearwater, FL. Call us and get connected right away! Gain a better understanding of chiropractic care and anxiety with professional help.
