The Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Anxiety

When most people go to see a chiropractor, their first concern is usually not their mental health. However, chiropractic care is so much more than just spinal adjustments and traction tables because it takes a holistic approach to your health, concerned with body and mind. Often times, patients come to a chiropractor to be relieved of physical pains that are actually emotional or mental pain in disguise. If you suffer from anxiety or depression, perhaps it’s time you experience the benefits of chiropractic care for your anxiety.

It Helps You Relax

When you are anxious, you are on guard all of the time. This is exhausting to your body as your muscles stay tense, ready to retreat. This also leads to high levels of cortisol, which in turn have been known to cause further emotional disturbances. The anxiety causes tension, and the tension reminds your body that you’re anxious. It’s a vicious cycle. Chiropractic care forces your body to relax and relieves the muscles of that tension, allowing them a much-deserved break. Your relaxed muscles then communicate to your mind that there is nothing to be anxious about, therefore alleviating your anxiety.

It Relieves the Physical Side Effects of Anxiety and Depression

As we just established, mental health issues do not solely occur in the mind — the symptoms can manifest themselves in the body physically through stiff and sore muscles, tension headaches and migraines, and other aches and pains. Being in pain frequently increases anxiety, particularly if conventional medicine has not helped the pain. Since chiropractic care heals the root of the problem (mental), not just the symptoms (physical), by reducing your muscle tension and relieving pain, chiropractic care alleviates the mental pain. With additional massage therapy, you can reach extra levels of calm and relief.

It Reduces Blood Pressure and Panic Attacks

Many people who suffer from anxiety also experience elevated blood pressure. Over 20 studies have shown chiropractic and massage therapy to be successful at reducing blood pressure and anxiety. A 1993 case study showed substantial improvement in a patient with panic attacks that had not been responsive to psychotherapy or anti-anxiety medications. After a chiropractic adjustment, the patient experienced a marked decrease in blood pressure, and for two months the patient remained free of panic attacks. A 2016 study showed a patient who resolved their panic disorder after 14 weeks of chiropractic treatment. Although these case studies are limited, they provide encouraging evidence that panic attacks and anxiety can be relieved through chiropractic care by lowering blood pressure.

Need More Proof?

While going to the chiropractor can definitely help when you’ve got headaches, low back pain, or pinched nerves, there is continually more research emerging that touts the benefits of chiropractic care for anxiety and other mental health issues. Over 20 studies to be exact. Many patients report a better mood and higher quality of life after chiropractic manipulation, even if they weren’t expecting to. Ask your friends and family, and you’ll undoubtedly find someone who has noticed an unexpected improvement in mental health after chiropractic treatment.

And if you don’t believe it, try it for yourself! Our Baton Rouge chiropractors, Dr. Mark Aucoin, Dr. Vanessa Aucoin, and Dr. Gregory Nelson have years of experience to provide you with safe, gentle and effective chiropractic and wellness care. Contact us to schedule an appointment to experience the benefits of chiropractic care for anxiety.