Anxiety and depression are some of the most common mental health conditions in the world. In Australia, it has been estimated that 19% of Australians live with an anxiety disorder or depression. These are serious mental health concerns that can affect the health of our bodies as well as our minds.
Many people experience increased muscle tension, headaches and other symptoms when living with these conditions. Chiropractic care can help address these concerns and offer support for people’s physical and mental health. With a holistic approach to treatment, many people can improve their overall well-being, not just their physical condition.
In this article, we’ll detail how chiropractic care can help manage these mental health concerns and what you can expect with treatment.
For personalised advice, contact our team at Northside Chiropractic today.
Common symptoms of anxiety and depression
Anxiety and depression can affect anyone at any time. Likewise, they can be caused by a variety of factors. Some people are pre-disposed due to genetics, while others may develop these conditions after a traumatic event. Regardless of the cause, anxiety and depression can have a significant impact on our bodies.
For instance, anxiety is often characterised as persistent worry and restlessness. It is essentially a type of fear response and, as such, can put additional strain on our bodies. Many people living with anxiety regularly experience physical symptoms such as:
- Muscle tension
- Headaches
- Difficulty sleeping
- Excessive fear or nervousness
- Increased heart rate or palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty concentrating
Depression, in turn, can have a similar effect. Emotionally, many people experience persistent sadness and hopelessness. It can affect people’s motivation, limiting their ability to take care of their health. Common symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Difficulty making decisions
- Low energy and motivation
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Physical aches and pains with no apparent cause
Treatment
As these are mental health conditions, psychologists and therapists often offer medication and therapy to help treat these concerns. However, sometimes, this can result in neglecting the physical health of the patient. Often, the best way to improve someone’s overall health is to combine these treatments alongside other methods, such as chiropractic care.
How chiropractic care can help
Chiropractic care is focused on how the systems of the body interconnect. By improving the function of these systems, usually through careful exercise, you can reduce the strain on your body and alleviate certain symptoms. Here, we’ll outline the different ways chiropractic care can improve your mental well-being.
Reduced tension
Anxiety and depression can cause a lot of stress. This increases the tension in your muscles, which can lead to pain, exhaustion and discomfort. Through careful chiropractic treatment, you can strengthen and relieve your muscles. This reduces the tension you are experiencing and can even help you relax.
Improving sleep
By reducing muscle tension and helping the body relax, chiropractic care can make it easier for people to sleep. Many people with anxiety and depression struggle to rest. By improving their sleep with chiropractic care, they can increase their energy and better handle different types of stress.
Lowered cortisol
Heightened stress often correlates to heightened cortisol levels. Over the years, several studies have been conducted to assess how chiropractic care interacts with cortisol distribution. A 2008 study found that those who underwent chiropractic care for chronic pain experienced lowered cortisol levels.
With the right support, this may help mental health conditions as well. Though, more studies are still being conducted to test its efficacy.
Improved circulation
By strengthening the muscles and other systems of the body, chiropractic care can improve circulation. This can be beneficial, as it ensures the body has the right amount of nutrients and oxygen to function better. This, in turn, can help to combat and relieve mental health symptoms.
Ultimately, chiropractic care can help support the health of the body. Better physical health often supports mental well-being. So, ensuring your body is looked after can help you combat your mental health concerns.
Techniques to address mental health concerns
While the benefits are clear, you may still be unsure about pursuing chiropractic treatment. Here, we’ll outline common techniques chiropractors use to help address mental health concerns so you’ll know what to expect.
Spinal adjustments
By gently adjusting the spine and realigning it, a chiropractor can improve the function of your nervous system. This can help you relax as well as reduce tension.
Massage therapy
Soft tissue massage therapy targets muscle tension across the body. This promotes relaxation, improves circulation and decreases stress. What could be better for your mental health than a targeted massage?
Mindfulness
Many chiropractors understand how mental health affects the body. As such, they are practised utilising different mindfulness techniques to help the body relax. From breathing exercises to stretching techniques and more, your chiropractor can help you stay in the moment and reduce stress.
Nutrition
Some chiropractors are also trained in nutrition. By improving your diet, you can ensure your body has what it needs to combat different health concerns. Likewise, improved nutrition can increase your energy and make it easier to manage your mental health.
Rely on Northside Chiropractic for tailored care
At Northside Chiropractic, we understand how debilitating mental health conditions can be. They can affect our emotional and mental well-being as well as our physical health, preventing us from enjoying what life has to offer. If you are living with anxiety or depression, reach out to our team today.
We offer tailored support and care so that you can get the most out of every session. With a holistic approach to your health, we’ll ensure nothing is overlooked and work with you to help you find relief. Put your health first, and reach out to our team today to book an appointment.
