When it comes to mental health, more people than you know may be struggling. Over 40 million adults in the United States suffer from anxiety and depression, and many more may not be diagnosed. When seeking ways to cope, what many people don’t realize is the strength of the mind and body’s connection, leaving many surprised to learn that Atlanta chiropractors can be a big help to them. Chiropractors focus on health as a holistic goal, using natural and safe methods as a way to ensure wellness in both the body and the mind.
How Anxiety and Depression Manifest
One of the hardest parts of addressing anxiety and depression can be recognizing the symptoms and seeking help. These conditions can look different in everybody, so it is important to know what feelings and issues are normal for you and what is out of the ordinary. Many of the symptoms will be mental, like feeling despondent or worrying about things you didn’t before, but there are also physical effects of these illnesses.
Both anxiety and depression are commonly associated with problems sleeping, muscle tension or stiffness, headaches and migraines, various aches and pains, and an inability to relax. These issues often exacerbate any mental challenges and can worsen the anxiety and depression you feel, creating a feedback loop. The goal of chiropractic care is to improve these physical symptoms and help the body function optimally, allowing you to focus on coping with the other symptoms.
Benefits of Chiropractic Treatment for Mental Illness
Promotes Mind-Body Balance
One of the main focuses of chiropractic care is overall health and wellness. While the main course of treatment is manual adjustments, practitioners will also discuss therapies, exercise, diet, and sleep habits. Even small changes suggested by a chiropractor can improve your health and have a positive impact on symptoms.
Lowers Blood Pressure
A common manifestation of anxiety is heightened blood pressure, and research shows that chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy can help with this issue. This can also be beneficial for the heart and vascular system.
Releases Positive Hormones
A proper chiropractic adjustment will impact not just your spine, but all of the systems in your body, including the release of hormones. There are three particular hormones that are known to be released during a chiropractic treatment that can have a positive effect on mental health. Neurotensin helps neutralize pain that is brought on by stress, while oxytocin improves neuro-communication and increases social bonding. Cortisol can also block out pain caused by inflammation. When these are triggered, you may begin to feel better because of this.
Helps You Sleep Better
Because a lack of sleep can be a symptom of anxiety and/or depression, this benefit of an adjustment can make a difference. By addressing any pain that makes sleeping difficult and aligning the spine, many people are able to sleep better after a chiropractic adjustment.
Relieves Headaches & Tension
The tension that you feel mentally from anxiety and depression often translates to your muscles, so you can feel tight or tense. This can cause issues in all areas of the body and is very likely to manifest in headaches or even migraines. Headaches are also a common reason that patients seek chiropractic care as an adjustment to the spine can provide relief as the spine is responsible for holding up the neck and head, making proper alignment important.
Natural Care
Many of the current treatments for anxiety and depression rely on medications. While these can be necessary in some cases, they do come with a list of undesirable side effects like weight gain, further sleep problems, fatigue, or digestive issues. With chiropractic care, there is no medication used, instead relying on the body’s natural mechanisms to provide relief.
Seeking Chiropractic Care
For many suffering from mental illness, it can be difficult to take the necessary steps to improve your life. If you or a loved one are suffering from anxiety or depression, one of the first things you can do is seek out professional chiropractic care. Not only can it relieve physical manifestations of your illness, but you may also find that a focus on the mind-body connection allows for mental healing in addition to the physical. At AICA Atlanta, our chiropractors are compassionate and experienced, and they will work to create an individualized plan that meets your needs. We believe that mental health is just as important as physical and that you deserve to feel your best. Reach out today to schedule a consultation and take your first step towards healing.