Can Chiropractic Care Support My Mental Health?

When you think of chiropractic care, you might picture treatments focused on relieving physical pain — backaches, neck stiffness, or joint discomfort, to name a few. But the body and mind are intricately connected, and studies show (and continue to explore) the benefits of chiropractic care and how they extend beyond the spine to our mental and emotional well-being.

More and more people are turning to chiropractic care as part of a holistic approach to addressing mental health concerns. Let’s explore the ways chiropractic care has the ability to enhance your mental health and well-being.

1. Chiropractic care can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.

Misalignments in your spine can lead to muscle tension and discomfort throughout the body, which in turn increases stress levels. Chiropractic adjustments realign the spine with the goal of alleviating physical tension and fostering relaxation.

Your brain and body are connected through your nervous system. Nerves branch off the spinal cord and exit the spine at various levels. When there is a misalignment in the spine, it can compress and interfere with the nerves. Your body begins to compensate by tightening the surrounding muscles, causing stiff or inflamed joints. Through chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue work, those misalignments of the spine and nerve interferences can be restored, leading to reduced tension and overall relaxation.

By addressing physical ailments and misalignments, chiropractic adjustments can also help balance and regulate stress hormone levels in the body. When the body is in a constant state of stress, cortisol levels begin to increase. Over time this can lead to anxiety, poor sleep habits, fatigue, high blood pressure, and even a weakened immune system. Decreasing physical stressors on the body and correcting misalignment in the cervical spine allows for proper communication throughout the nervous system and lower stress hormone levels.

2. A chiropractor is skilled in pain management, which can lead to improved mood.

Chronic pain can severely impact mental health, often leading to stress, anxiety, and depression. The prolonged discomfort can cause decreased levels of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters in the brain that are directly linked to mood and mental health, which ultimately can lead to altered brain chemistry.

The goal of chiropractic treatments is to alleviate pain — including chronic back pain, neck pain, and headaches — which can lead to significant improvements in both body and mind.

A chiropractor can also help you focus on rehabilitation by identifying the weakened muscles that contribute to chronic pain and working to strengthen them for long-term pain prevention.

3. Chiropractic care can help improve sleep quality.

Quality sleep is crucial for mental health and overall well-being. Lack of sleep is often associated with mental health issues including depression and anxiety. Through spinal adjustments and massage, chiropractic care can help relax the body, ease muscle tension, and reduce chronic pain, promoting a more relaxed mental state for improved sleep quality.

A chiropractor can also help assess your body positioning and posture for sleep, as misaligned body posture during sleep can directly affect your spine and can cause muscle tension, which can ultimately influence the quality of your sleep. They can also consult on the best ways to equip your bed (including your mattress and pillows) to make sure your body is getting proper support. (Learn more: “Can Chiropractic Care Help You Sleep Better?”)

The post Can Chiropractic Care Support My Mental Health? appeared first on Experience Life.