Introduction
Chiropractic therapy is the non-medicinal physical therapy involved in the correctional, treatment, and diagnosis of musculoskeletal problems involving the spine neck, and lower back. Specialties engaged in the manual correctional diagnosis of spine manipulation are known as chiropractors. A particular focus in chiropractic practice is chiropractic subluxation which mainly manifests in skeletal muscles and manipulates itself to affect the nervous system reducing muscle functionality, illness, and eventual disabilities. Chiropractors can correct the various spine disorders using methods such as giving physical advice on healthy living, neurological evaluations, skeletal imaging, and observational tactics or may refer the patient to a more appropriate healthcare provider. In light of this, the research will highlight how chiropractic therapy can be used for mental health as well as physical health.
Chiropractic and Mental Health
Mental health is greatly influenced by the normal processes of the body especially the nervous system, mind, and body tissues thereby reducing the stress of discomfort in a person. Chiropractic manipulations of the spine help to improve the productions of oxytocin, cortisol, and other hormones which significantly improve the relaxation of the body especially after a vicious task (Ferrari et al. 151). Additionally, the removal of spinal subluxations increases the healthy flow of blood and nutrients all over the body thereby strengthening the immune system soothing back and neck pains.
Among the young children, a mental health disorder called migraines can be corrected by a regular visit to the chiropractor reducing the effects of its symptoms. Additionally, Chiropractors’ recommendations of physical exercises and diet can help to maintain a healthy spine reducing impacts of mental health thereby assisting patients to manage symptoms (Lisi et al. 137). Moreover, recent discoveries of improvement in the nerve systems by removing any interference of the nervous system allowing normal functioning of sympathetic nerves which in controls the fighting mechanism in the brain (Lisi et al. 144). Chiropractic manipulations have reduced anxiety and depression cases caused by chronic pain thereby improving both mental and physical body functions of a person. Stress caused by physical pain can cloud the mind creating severe cases of anxiety and restlessness which can be corrected by several chiropractic sessions which reduces the muscle tension and pains. However, for the success of chiropractic treatment, a qualified and approved chiropractor should be consulted.
Chiropractic and Physical Health
Chiropractic is used to correct physical health such as soft tissue damage or a problem with the muscles on the back or the lower back (Hawk et al. 217). Chiropractic provides solutions such as muscle therapy, exercises, and adjustments that can assist the body to heal from conditions that have a physical origin. Chiropractors are involved in gentle and more specific adjustments used to improve a coordinated efficiency of spines, bones, muscles, and joints with the nerves that rely on these tissues for recovery (Fritz et al., 248). Many chiropractors use more stretching and mobilizing techniques that are aimed to restore the balancing of muscle tone or to reactivate the nerve tone functions around an injured site. Chiropractors employ various techniques in spinal manipulation and spinal adjustments treatment including activator technique which mainly involve the use of a spring-loaded tool which delivers specific pressure on the spine, Koren special technique, consists of the use of the hands or an electric device for spinal manipulations and assessment. Additionally, in rare cases, the chiropractic may use medicine assisted method using anesthesia to conduct physical therapy on the low back pains (Hawk et al. 218). Moreover, other methods are used to treat the spine and other tissues such as physical fitness, nutrition recommendations, stress reduction methods and other self-care techniques that reduce spinal damage such as maintaining correct lifestyle advice.
Works Cited
Ferrari, Madeleine, and Stephney Whillier. “Mental health knowledge and common misconceptions in a master of chiropractic final year cohort.” The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice 12.3 (2017): 150-160.
Fritz, Julie M., Jaewhan Kim, and Josette Dorius. “Importance of the type of provider seen to begin health care for a new episode low back pain: associations with future utilization and costs.” Journal of evaluation in clinical practice 22.2 (2016): 247-252.
Hawk, Cheryl, et al. “Best practices for chiropractic care for older adults: a systematic review and consensus update.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics 40.4 (2017): 217-229.
Lisi, Anthony J., et al. “chiropractic integrated care pathway for low back pain in veterans: results of a Delphi consensus process.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics 41.2 (2018): 137-148.