3 Ways Chiropractic Care Reduces Anxiety
By KayLee Chie Kuehl
LEXI JULY WEEK 4
Anxiety wreaks havoc on the body. Symptoms of all severity levels can result in vicious side effects, leaving us weakened and distressed in its aftermath. The cycling of worry, fear, and intrusive thoughts often tumble into issues outside of the mind. In my own experience dealing with moderate anxiety, my repetitive thoughts can destabilize me to the point where I won't eat, averaging one meal a day. Or at night, anxiety becomes a whisper that won't quiet. I find myself avoiding sleep until eventually I'm up past two in the morning, transforming my mental fatigue into physical exhaustion. In short, when our minds are sick our bodies are too. Our physical health often mirrors the state of our mental well being.
At its core, chiropractic care understands the importance of the connection between the mind and the body. After all, without our minds our bodies would fail. And in order to find balance within ourselves, we need to care for every essential part of the self. Chiropractic care fuses the mind with the body in order to heal it. Studies have shown it is a beneficial solution to treating mental health ailments. Aligning the spine, which is the gateway between the body and brain, can detox levels of anxiety and depression. Here are three ways chiropractic care can reduce symptoms of anxiety.
Triggers Positive Hormones
As a gateway, the spine is an essential part of our bodies. It's very similar to the connective arm of a scale. When there is a lack of care for one end of the scale, let's say our mind, then it lowers. And when the body doesn't receive attention, it lowers. A spinal adjustment can trigger the release of stress-relieving and pain-blocking hormones. Oxycontin and cortisol boosts our nervous systems and flows throughout our body. It's not a coincidence that when you "crack your back" after a long day, there is an exuberant moment of release!
Relieves Tension
Body aches are a common symptom of anxiety, as are headaches and migraines. Proper alignment can release the tensions built up in the head or neck, making it easier to sort though the files of thoughts in the brain.
Relaxation and Rejuvenation
Probably one of the most important effects of chiropractic treatment is relaxation. Calming down seems almost impossible when in the middle of an anxiety cycle. But after alignment, the muscle tension has been released. The agonizing cycle of intrusive thoughts are at bay. Positive hormones circulate through the veins. Now, our minds are at rest and are bodies at ease.
Anxiety can be vicious. And while there are a number of ways to soothe anxiety symptoms, it can be very difficult finding a way that works for a single individual. Not everyone likes the idea of medication, while others prefer natural remedies such as magnesium and ashwagandha. Chiropractic care is a method that offers a dual solution: body alignment and internal balance. Because if our minds are unclear, then our body can suffer too.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Chicago, Ill.