When most people think of chiropractic care, they often imagine a solution for those with back pain, neck pain, or some kind of other musculoskeletal issue. While those with back and neck pain find relief after getting under regular chiropractic care, chiropractic adjustments are much more powerful when understood in their proper scope. Chiropractic care is associated with treating back and neck pain, but it has been shown to have more encompassing, vitalistic health benefits, including improved mental health.
Many people may not realize that chiropractic adjustments can positively impact mental health. Let’s explore how chiropractic care can improve mental health and overall well-being.
Wait, chiropractic is more than neck and back pain? Yes!
Chiropractic care can play an essential role in mental health. It is helpful to understand that the connection between chiropractic care and mental health, most importantly, the mind-body connection, is vital to overall health expression.
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1. Be Heard and
Understood
Sit down with one of our doctors to discuss your health, your concerns, and your vision for the future.
2. Learn the Underlying Cause of Your Problem
Our doctors use the most advanced science and technology in spinal biomechanics to understand and explain your condition.
3. Get a Customized Spinal Rejuvenation Program
If accepted as a practice member, our Chiropractic BioPhysics approach allows us to tailor care to your specific condition.
4. Regain Confidence in Your Body
Use this new, stronger structure to live a life free of limitations, knowing your body is able to function at its full potential.
What is Chiropractic Care?
Before we delve into how chiropractic care can benefit mental health, let’s first define what chiropractic actually is. Chiropractic care is a healthcare discipline that focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing nervous system conditions, primarily those affecting the spine. Chiropractors use spinal adjustments to improve spinal function, first and foremost, and eventually alleviate symptoms such as pain. 90% of our nerves deal with function leaving only 10% to deal with sensory issues like pain. This means when you’re getting adjusted, the lens of the chiropractor is to look for what we call “subluxation,” which interferes with the nervous system communication pathways. If the interference is left there, we walk around like a sliding dimmer switch set halfway; the power is not completely and fully on!
Chiropractors remove the interference so the body can do what it does best— heal and function! Since 90% of the chiropractic adjustment is on a functional or cellular level, you can’t exactly feel it. You can only feel 10% of what the adjustment does in the form of symptom reduction (such as pain).
Ok, now that we know what chiropractors actually do, let’s get back to the mind-body connection and move on to how chiropractic care can benefit mental health.
The Mind-Body Connection
When you begin to understand that the mind and body are intricately connected, you also come to a deeper understanding that what affects one can affect the other. For example, stress and anxiety can manifest as physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, and digestive issues (and yes, back pain and neck pain, too). In the same way, physical discomfort can lead to mental and emotional stress. Chiropractic care can help address physical issues that may contribute to mental health symptoms and vice versa.
In chiropractic, part of our philosophy is the “above down, inside out” perspective. This means that everything within fans out, or, whatever we can first give to ourselves, we can then extend to others. Or, we focus on our inner being and listen within before seeking answers from outside.
Traumas stored in the body that are not acknowledged and properly released can make us sick in our physical body. In the same way, if we acquire an injury from playing sports or a dance competition and do not give adequate space and time for the tremendous and full healing capabilities of our awesome body, we make ourselves susceptible to not only re-injury but unnecessary stress and emotional and mental complications.
Stress Reduction
Stress is a common problem for many people and can negatively impact our mental health. When the body is under stress, it releases cortisol, a hormone that can cause inflammation and other health problems.
Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to reduce cortisol levels, reducing stress and improving overall well-being. A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic adjustments significantly reduced cortisol levels in study participants.
Mood Improvement
In addition to reducing stress, chiropractic care can also improve mood. When the spine is misaligned, it can cause nerve interference, negatively impacting mood and overall well-being.
Chiropractic adjustments can correct spinal misalignments, improving nerve function and overall mood. A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that chiropractic adjustments improved mood and decreased anxiety in study participants.
Sleep Improvement
Sleep is essential for overall health and well-being, and it can also have a significant impact on mental health. Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to a variety of mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.
Chiropractic care can improve sleep quality by reducing pain and improving overall spinal function. A study published in the Journal of Sleep Research found that chiropractic adjustments improved sleep quality and decreased sleep disturbances in study participants.
Headache Relief
Headaches are a common problem for many people and can negatively impact mental health. Chronic headaches can cause fatigue, irritability, and decreased quality of life. That dimmer switch we mentioned above is now lower than halfway! Struggling to function at all becomes an unfortunate way of life.
Chiropractic adjustments can alleviate headaches by correcting spinal misalignments and reducing nerve interference. A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic adjustments effectively reduced headache pain and improved overall quality of life in study participants.
Improved Overall Wellbeing
In addition to the specific benefits outlined above, chiropractic care can improve overall well-being, positively impacting mental health. A body in optimal health is better equipped to handle stress and other challenges.
Chiropractic adjustments improve spinal function, reconnect the brain and spinal cord communication pathways, reduce symptoms, and improve overall mental and physical health. A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic care effectively reduced pain and improved function in patients with chronic low back pain.
The Role of Chiropractic Care in Mental Health
Chiropractic care can help address physical symptoms associated with mental health conditions. For example, adjustments to the spine help alleviate tension and pain in the body, leading to decreased stress levels and improved mood. Additionally, chiropractic care can improve overall physical health, leading to better mental health outcomes.
Chiropractic care also addresses imbalances in the nervous system, which can contribute to mental health conditions. The nervous system controls all bodily functions, including emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Subluxations in the spine or other joints can interfere with the nervous system’s proper function, leading to mood swings, anxiety, and other mental health symptoms.
Are you seeing how all of this is interconnected and related?
What to Expect from Chiropractic Care for Mental Health in Manahawkin, NJ
If you seek chiropractic care for mental health, your chiropractor will likely perform a thorough evaluation to assess your condition and develop an individualized care plan. This includes spinal adjustments, a recommended care frequency, and soft tissue therapy or exercises to improve range of motion and strength.
It’s important to note that chiropractic care does not replace mental health treatment. If you are struggling with a mental health condition, it’s essential to consult with a mental health professional and follow their treatment recommendations. However, incorporating chiropractic care into your overall treatment plan can help alleviate and improve your health trajectory and overall quality of life.
Though chiropractic care is often associated with treating back and neck pain, it can have many other overlooked and powerful health benefits, including improved mental health. Chiropractic adjustments can reduce stress, improve mood and sleep quality, alleviate headaches, and improve overall well-being. If you’re struggling with mental health issues or just looking to improve your overall well-being, chiropractic care is absolutely worth considering.
The mind and body are intricately connected, and what affects one can affect the other. Chiropractic care can play a significant role in mental health treatment by addressing physical symptoms that may contribute to mental health symptoms and vice versa. If you are considering chiropractic care for mental health, consult a qualified chiropractor and follow your mental health professional’s recommendations for treatment. Together, a multidisciplinary approach that combines the expertise of both chiropractors and mental health professionals can provide the most comprehensive care for patients with a range of health conditions.
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691 Mill Creek Rd #5, Manahawkin, NJ 08050