HOW CHIROPRACTIC HELPS ANXIETY?

Chiropractic care has long had a relationship with mental health. As early as the 1920’s in patient facilities were established featuring chiropractic adjustments and lifestyle changes as ways to help people suffering with mental health issues. The Chiropractic Psychopathic Sanitarium was located in Davenport, Iowa. The cure and rate of discharge there was 65%. Similar facilities like the North Dakota State Mental Hospital who did not utilize chiropractic adjustments only had a 10-27% cure and rate of discharge.

The Clear View Sanitarium was established in 1926 and was owned by Palmer School of Chiropractic. (Dr. Brian Bartholomew is a graduate of the newest branch of Palmer, Palmer Fl College of chiropractic). Each day the patients were checked by chiropractors and adjusted when necessary. The rooms were described as bright and sunny. Meals were mostly vegetable based from the on site gardens. Patients were encouraged to walk outside and interact with clinic staff. Amazing how natural strategies can be so effective and safe.

Spears Chiropractic Hospital in Denver, Co was one of the last chiropractic hospitals to close. This video shows some of the improvements that patient their made with “irreversible conditions.” The closing of all of theses facilities corresponded with insurances changes in the 1950’s and 60’s that did not include chiropractic and natural lifestyle changes as ways to help heal from disease. It seems strange to me that the only accepted methods of care for people with mental health issues would be to medicate or perform a highly invasive surgery.

Chiropractic Care for Anxiety

There are a variety of treatment options available for those suffering from anxiety. These treatment options can include: medication, psychotherapy (counseling), and lifestyle changes which may include changing what you eat to help avoid anxiety attacks.  Another form of care that can be considered is chiropractic care.

What can chiropractic care offer someone who suffers from anxiety? There are a combination of treatments that are involved with chiropractic care, involving manipulation, and a change in diet.

Chiropractic manipulation may help with increasing brain activity and also help with the balance of the nervous system. It is also important for those that are seeking chiropractic care to be tested for any possible food allergies. Chiropractic care works best when there is a consistent outside care being made to the body, which includes a healthier lifestyle (excluding alcohol and caffeine) and seeking treatment with your current doctor.

Study Results from the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research 

A study designed to test the correlation between chiropractic care and its impact on mental health was published in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research on June 20, 2013. This study cited prior research that showed of the 2818 patients undergoing chiropractic care, 76% reported an improvement in their mental/emotional health. Additionally, these 76% also reported positive changes in stress and increased life enjoyment in the months after receiving chiropractic care. Similar findings have also been reported in the American Journal of Psychiatry.