October is one of the best months of the year- filled with pumpkin spice coffee, hayrides, apple
picking, and Halloween decorating. It is also however, a good time to talk about an epidemic
which seems to be on everyone’s radar these days- and that’s the mental health crisis which
seems to be intensifying in this country. While in St. Petersburg yesterday- we had breakfast
with a dear friend- Fr. Kevin Downey. Fr. Kevin is a Franciscan priest who serves the homeless
in his community. He spoke of the struggles these people have which has been intensified by
the Pandemic. And of the difficulty they have in receiving treatment for their mental health
problems- which contribute to their feelings of isolation and their inability to find work, or
adequate shelter.
That is why we will focus on October as Mental Health Awareness Month and try to shed some
light on ways Chiropractic care can help… as well as other things we can do to ease this burden.
So first- let’s take a look at how wide spread this problem really is. It is estimated that over 40
million adults in the United States will face mental illness every year. While anxiety disorders
are the most common, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Symptoms are
unique to each patient, but common physical impacts of anxiety and depression include:
• Fatigue or inability to sleep
• Muscle tension and stiffness
• Headaches or migraines
• Aches and pains throughout the body
• Inability to relax
These physical symptoms can exacerbate mental symptoms and make anxiety and/or
depression even harder to live with. The good news though is that if you’re dealing with
depression and/or anxiety, chiropractic care is uniquely positioned to help relieve these
physical symptoms.
Generally speaking, chiropractic care involves a mind-body approach that favors adjusting
physical symptoms in order to improve mental ones. A chiropractor is well-equipped to take a
holistic approach to your mental health, looking at all possible ways to make you feel better.
New studies now back up the effectiveness of chiropractic care in relieving certain mental
health symptoms. A recent 2018 study done in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
showed that the application of chiropractic services appeared helpful to the outcome of some
neuropsychiatric disorders.
For many, chiropractic may be a natural, affordable care option for improving quality of life for
patients with depression and/or anxiety. So now- let’s take a closer look at some ways that
chiropractic care may help patients with mental health disorders.
1. Aims for a mind-body approach
In general, chiropractic care aims to find the right balance between your mind and body. A
chiropractor will do this by looking at all health areas, including adjustments, therapies,
exercise, diet and supplements. When it comes to chiropractic care, no stone goes unturned.
Even small changes, such as incorporating omega-3 into your diet, may have a positive impact
on anxiety symptoms.
2. Lowers your blood pressure
Several studies support the idea that chiropractic care and massage therapy can reduce blood
pressure and stress symptoms. High blood pressure is a common symptom of anxiety and/or
stress. Researchers found that blood pressure was reduced after both chiropractic sessions and
massage therapy. One study even saw results after only 15 minutes of workplace massage
therapy. This shows that chiropractic care can reduce anxiety and stress symptoms, and help
patients with mental health issues feel more stable.
3. Promotes an all-natural solution without side effects
One of the best benefits of chiropractic care is that it’s all-natural. Patients taking anxiety and
depression medication often complain of the side effects, which include insomnia, nausea,
weight gain and fatigue. Chiropractic care works to reduce anxiety symptoms, so you can
potentially reduce or avoid taking medication and dealing with its side effects. (Make sure
however to never stop medication without the approval of your doctor.)
4. Adjusts your spine to trigger positive hormones
Spinal health influences almost every region of your body. Studies show that after getting
chiropractic treatment, your body triggers an increase in stimulating hormones released in the
body that are involved in positive nervous system functioning, such as:
• Neurotensin: neutralizes stress-induced pain
• Oxytocin: boosts neuro-communication and feelings of social bonding
• Cortisol: blocks pain deriving from inflammation
5. Helps you get to sleep
Insomnia is also a symptom of anxiety and/or depression. With chiropractic care, you may find
getting to sleep a little easier. Other studies reports that some chiropractic manipulation may
improve patient sleep patterns. Massage therapy also has seen good results
6. Relieves tension, stiffness and headaches
Patients with anxiety and/or depression also suffer from muscular tension. Chiropractic care
can aid in reducing tension and stiffness. In addition, it can help relieve pain related to tension
headaches, as many patients who live with mental health disorders also suffer from migraines.
This kind of relief can have a big impact on those with anxiety and/or depression by removing
these painful symptoms.
7. Encourages relaxation
Last but not least, chiropractic care helps relax patients. The atmosphere of a chiropractic
session can make the patient feel less stressed and his/her muscles more relaxed. Studies that
measure electrical activity in muscles found that after a chiropractic adjustment, muscle activity
was reduced by 25%. This is great evidence of relaxation during a chiropractic session. This kind
of relaxation can really help patients suffering from stress and tension as a result of anxiety
and/or depression.
Overall, chiropractic care can have a positive impact on patients’ mental health. Besides proven
research, there have been many anecdotal case studies about the role of chiropractic care on
anxiety and depression. These preliminary reports suggest there are even more benefits of
chiropractic care on mental health symptoms.
As traditional health care costs continue to soar, more patients are looking to alternatives that
are affordable and effective. So if you or someone you know experiences mental health issues,
it is important to seek help from a qualified professional. Please feel free to have a confidential
consultation with either Dr. Gil or myself. We will discuss natural alternative options and/or
find expert mental health resources who can help in our community.