By Dr Ahmad Odeh
The benefits of chiropractic care are established in the literature far and wide. But one that is often overlooked is the positive effect it can have on mental health. Firstly, let us double click on the chiropractic adjustment itself. A spinal Subluxation produces a stress response in the body which releases chemicals such as Adrenaline and Cortisol, which in the short term are very handy to get us out of sticky situations (getting chased by a pack of wolves). However, when left uncorrected, it can damage the hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for learning, memory, smell and hearing. The chiropractic adjustment clears the specific subluxation/stress response, and allows the brain to release chemicals such as Dopamine and Serotonin. These chemicals are responsible for feelings of happiness and satisfaction, which is why you walk out of a chiropractic office feeling so good!
When your chiropractor recommends a certain frequency of adjustments, it isn’t only to get you out of pain, rather its to rewire the brain and body connection and allow your nervous system to function at full capacity to encourage things like the trigger of positive hormones, relaxation, better quality sleep and lowering your blood pressure which are all associated with thinking well!
Want to know what else releases positive chemicals such as Dopamine and cortisol? Exercise. Whether it is the corrective exercises your chiropractor prescribes you, or regular physical activity, there is a clear connection with maintaining mental wellbeing. When we exercise, blood flow and nerve connections increase to our brain, and our brain stimulates happy chemicals such as, you guessed it, serotonin, dopamine and endorphins. The benefits that flow from this include; reduced depression and anxiety symptoms and improved mood.
If you haven’t exercised in a while it can be hard to know how to begin. The important thing is to start slow and build. Start off with a simple 20 min walk around the block once every 2 days, then build it up week by week until you are doing about 30mins of physical activity daily. No time? Break it up to 15 mins in the morning or on your lunch break and 15 mins after dinner. Once you witness the benefits, it will become very easy.
