Nearly one in five US adults face mental illness every year. Out of those 46.6 million people (in 2017), only 41% receive professional help per year. While depression is the leading cause of disability, anxiety disorders are the most common.
Common physical impacts of anxiety and depression include:
- Muscle tension and stiffness
- Migraine and tension headaches
- Fatigue or inability to sleep
- Pains throughout the body
- Inability to relax
These symptoms can further elevate mental symptoms and make depression and/or anxiety much harder to live with. Luckily, for those who want an alternative therapy as their treatment option, chiropractic in Durham, NC may be a good place to start.
Let’s dig deeper and understand how chiropractic care can assist patients with mental health disorders.
Aims for a mind-body approach
Balance in life is key. And chiropractic care aims to find that balance between the mind and body. A chiropractor emphasises the importance of proper structure in the overall well-being of an individual. They achieve the desired results by looking at all health areas, including exercise, adjustments, manipulations, therapies, diet, and supplements. When it comes to chiropractic care, implementing even small changes, such as alteration in diet, may help reduce and even cure anxiety symptoms.
Decreases mind-clouding pain
When chronic pain is a part of your daily life, not only does it have a serious impact on your mood but also on your mental health. This discomfort can increase the physical pain that may be clouding the mind. When the spine becomes misaligned and pain increases, anxiety and depression associated with chronic pain increases altogether. This is further illustrated by a study that revealed that depression occurs at a rate of three to four times higher in people with chronic pain when compared to their peers. The endless cycle of chronic pain and depression continues unless it’s broken. And one way that chiropractic care can help patients with mental health issues is by decreasing any physical pain that is clouding the mind, and hence breaking the cycle.
Lowers blood pressure
High blood pressure is a common symptom of anxiety and/or stress. Several studies reveal that chiropractic adjustments and manipulations can reduce blood pressure and common stress symptoms. In fact, one study saw that a 15-minute massage therapy at workplace reduced stress as indicated by blood pressure.
This is another way by which a chiropractor can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress, and make patients with mental health issues feel more stable.
Adjusts your spine
Our body’s chemistry regulates our mood. This chemistry in all the organs as well as the brain is mainly regulated by the central nervous system.
Misalignment of the spine can put pressure on the spinal cord and the brain. Many people generally use medication to alter their brain chemistry, but others looking for alternative therapies often find that re-aligning their spine works wonders on their mental health. Several studies reveal that after opting for chiropractic care, the body triggers an increase in positive hormones such as oxytocin, cortisol, and neurotensin. These hormones boost neuro-communication, neutralise, and block pain deriving from inflammation and stress. This means that spinal manipulation can have a positive impact on your body.
Promotes an all-natural solution
One of the main reasons why people prefer Durham chiropractic in NC is that they are all-natural. Patients relying on medicinal drugs for anxiety and depression often complain about losing sleep and feeling nauseous. On the other hand, chiropractic manipulations reduce the symptoms of anxiety and target the root cause of any disruption in the nervous system, so that you can potentially avoid the side effects of taking medication.
Final thoughts
As traditional healthcare costs are increasing, people are looking for a multidisciplinary approach to mental health treatment – an approach that is effective and affordable.
Many surveys and studies reveal the benefits of chiropractic care on mental health symptoms.
Jason Smith did his degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. He has an ongoing interest in mental health and well-being.
