Deciding to seek out chiropractic care can come from dealing with a sudden illness or injury, but it can also come at the end of years of trying out different treatments that don't work. Whatever the reason, receiving chiropractic care can feel very different from standard medical treatment. It takes a very different approach to standard medical treatments, which is why it can be successful in treating conditions and injuries that might otherwise be difficult to recover from.
Even if you aren't currently suffering from any injuries or conditions, chiropractic care can still be worth seeking out. It focuses on achieving wellness throughout the body and mind, so for many people, chiropractic care can help to improve their quality of life.
What are the benefits of chiropractic care?
Benefits for the spine, back, and neck
This is probably the area of chiropractic care that you are most familiar with. Chiropractors are experts in treating problems with the spine. Misalignments in the spine can cause pain and discomfort in the back, neck, and shooting through other parts of the body.
Chiropractors use a variety of techniques, using both their hands and specialized instruments, to realign the spine and restore it to its proper function.
Benefits for the immune system
The spine is central to the nervous system. Nerves branch out from the spine to all areas of the body. When the spine is misaligned, this can block the nerves that are responsible for sending messages to the immune system. This can stop it from working to its full capacity and can lead to a greater susceptibility to illness. It can also prevent the endocrine system from getting the right hormones out for the body to be prepared to fight off illness.
Realigning the spine can help to boost the immune system, which can help to reduce how many times you get ill, and can help you to recover from illness more quickly when you do get them.
Benefits for blood pressure
The Atlas vertebra is located at the top of the spine. Adjustments of this joint have been found to reduce blood pressure as effectively as taking two blood pressure drugs.
Benefits for sleep
Around a third of people who receive a chiropractic adjustment report an improvement in their sleep. Beyond adjustments, chiropractors are also trained to help with sleep problems in other ways. For example, they can provide advice about sleep posture, the sleep environment (e.g. chiropractic pillows), can promote relaxation through massage and stretching exercises, and can provide advice about sleep health.
Benefits for headaches and migraines
Chiropractic care, including spinal adjustments, soft tissue massage, exercises, stretching, among other techniques, can help to reduce both the frequency and the severity of headaches and migraines.
Benefits for anxiety and depression
Chiropractic care takes a mind-body approach, and the techniques that chiropractors use can have a powerful impact on mental health. It can reduce trigger anti-anxiety/depression hormones, improve sleep, promote relaxation, and relieve tension. All of these have an impact on the severity of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
Chiropractic care can have a wide variety of benefits for the body and the mind, which can be helpful both for people who are dealing with chronic illness and for those who want to improve their overall wellbeing.