Chiropractic, Stress & Anxiety

Studies Show Benefits of a Hands on Approach

Anxiety and stress related disorders are the 9th leading cause of nonfatal burden as measured by years lived and disability. It is estimated that 1 in 9 adults have experienced an anxiety disorder in their lives. In the United States it is estimated that 31.1% of adults will experience an anxiety disorder at some time in their lives, equaling an estimated annual economic burden of $46.6 billion.

Anxiety is commonly defined as the presence of “fear or nervousness about what might happen.” It is a natural emotion that supports adaptability and promotes survival. The criteria for anxiety disorders includes: “excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation), occurring on more days than not for at least 6 months, about a number of events or activities (such as work or school performance).” Anxiety disorders are known to have far reaching effects including impact on quality of life, individual performance, family and social life, and economic sustainability. Globally it is recommended that government bodies seek to provide adequate services for the treatment and prevention on mental health disorders such as anxiety.

Psychotherapy, psychological approaches and pharmacological interventions are most commonly employed for mental health disorders such as anxiety, panic attacks and depression. As anxiety symptoms are also common in individuals experiencing depression, prescription of benzodiazepines and anti-depressant medications is common.

Many people find it surprising that there is scientific evidence supporting chiropractic management of people with stress and anxiety since most people think chiropractic can only help with back pain and headaches. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Previously established theories and current clinical evidence suggest that an individual’s psychological experience and mental health is related to the function of their autonomic nervous system and that interference to the autonomic nervous system negatively effects that individual’s psychological experience.

Yates et al reported significant improvement in anxiety scores following chiropractic care and additional evidence from Russell and Glucina suggests chiropractic care may play a role in reducing anxiety symptoms. In all cases reported on there were improvements in anxiety symptoms following a program of chiropractic care. All demonstrated reduction in anxiety in the reported cases.

Steinberg reported on a case series of patients suffering from anxiety. The general theme of reduced anxiety symptoms reported in this case series is congruent with those previously reported in the literature. In Steinburg’s study he took things a step further and not only measured changes in the functioning of the nervous system following chiropractic care. He measured heart rate variability and took thermal scans of the subjects which reflected a reduction in nervous system interference attributed to the correction of vertebral subluxation.

In all of the available clinical trials, case series and case reports describing the chiropractic management of individuals with anxiety, all studies specifically discuss the correction of vertebral subluxation as the chiropractic intervention. The assessment and correction, or reduction, of vertebral subluxation is the core objective of chiropractic clinical practice. A primary aim of chiropractic care is to optimize an individual’s health and wellbeing through improving nervous system function through the correction or reduction of vertebral subluxation regardless of their symptomatic presentation.

Published in Coherence Through Chiropractic, Volume 20, Issue 2

These are many benefits to chiropractic, a hand on approach, by improving nervous system function. For more tips on how to improve your stress and anxiety, ask your Great Life chiropractor.