Phoenix Chiropractor Notes on Anxiety and Chiropractic

People with anxiety disorders may have a lot of things on their mind, but they are probably not thinking about their neck. When anxiety becomes too much to bear, many people head to their doctor’s office, only to leave with a prescription for potentially dangerous and addictive anxiety medication. However, these possibly harmful drugs do nothing to address what may be the underlying cause of the problem.

An upper cervical Phoenix chiropractor understands that, given a choice, many people suffering from anxiety would choose a natural form of relief that addresses the root cause, rather than merely suppressing symptoms with side-effect laden drugs. Fortunately, upper cervical chiropractic treatment can provide natural anxiety relief by treating a common root cause—a misalignment of the uppermost spinal bones (vertebrae) in the neck.

What You Need to Know About Anxiety Disorders

If you have anxiety—either acutely or over the long-term—you understand the meaning of suffering. Anxiety is a normal reaction to danger, threats, pressure, ongoing stress, or challenging situations. It triggers the body’s automatic fight-or-flight response. In moderation, anxiety isn’t necessarily bad. It can help you to be alert, aware, and focused. Or, it can drive you to action and motivate you to resolve your problems.

However, when anxiety is ongoing or overwhelming and interferes with your relationships and everyday life you are likely being affected by an anxiety disorder. According to The Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 40 million American suffer from anxiety disorders in any given year. The World Health Organization reports that anxiety disorders are the most common mental issue worldwide, impacting 1 in 13 people. Many of these are children and teenagers who face life on medication if other treatments aren’t applied.

Signs and symptoms of an anxiety disorder include:

• Feeling tense, nervous, or restless
• Sensing impending danger, panic, or doom when no real threat is present
• Rapid breathing (hyperventilation)
• Increased heart rate
• Sweating
• Feeling weak or tired
• Trembling or shaking
• Sleeping problems
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Avoiding things that trigger anxiety
• Worrying chronically and excessively
• Concentration problems, or being unable to focus on anything other than the present concern

An anxiety disorder can result in panic, phobias, avoidance, and much more. It can be debilitating and devastating to a person’s life. Although people around the anxiety disorder patient may fail to understand it, those with anxiety disorders really suffer.

How the Upper Cervical Spine Can Contribute to Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are reaching epidemic proportions. Conventional medical therapies are typically only helpful in suppressing symptoms. And, as mentioned before, many of the commonly-prescribed medications, such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium, etc.) are highly addictive and have other harmful side effects.

Talk therapy may be helpful in some cases. If there are ongoing worries and mental struggles, it likely doesn’t hurt to “talk it out” with a professional therapist. However, these traditional treatments for anxiety will not be entirely effective if there is nerve impairment from upper cervical spine misalignment. Poorly aligned vertebrae in the upper cervical spine can pressure and irritate the brainstem, spinal cord, and nerves, leading to anxiety issues.

The upper neck vertebrae can easily lose their correct alignment. Even a mild bump on the head can cause these spinal bones to slip out of line. This misalignment can negatively affect the spinal cord and brain in three main ways:

• The brainstem, located within the upper cervical vertebrae, affects and manages the entire nervous system of the body. When it is not aligned correctly, nervous function in the body can be impaired, resulting in issues such as anxiety.
• Poor upper cervical alignment can prevent proper blood drainage from the brain. Impaired blood drainage can contribute to anxiety, depression, and more.
• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flows to the brain through the upper cervical spine. When CSF is insufficient, vital nutrients and electrolytes don’t reach the brain. Consequently, the brain cannot function at full capacity. Anxiety is one of the many possible results of a brain lacking proper CSF flow.

Moreover, as the misalignment in the upper cervical vertebrae worsens, these issues can worsen as well.

How Upper Phoenix Chiropractic Care Can Treat Anxiety Disorders

An upper cervical Phoenix chiropractor can evaluate and assess the structural alignment in the upper neck area to identify problems. Then, the upper cervical chiropractor performs a very gentle correction to bring the top vertebrae back into proper alignment. This subtle, non-invasive treatment does not use the cracking and popping techniques generally associated with chiropractic care. When the cervical bones at the very top of the spine are gently restored to their correct alignment, the rest of the spinal vertebrae should also fall in line.

Once proper spinal alignment is restored, the body’s natural healing mechanisms can carry out whole-body healing. It may take a few visits to an upper cervical Phoenix chiropractor for this realignment of the spinal bones to hold their adjustment. Plus, many patients find that regular upper cervical chiropractic care is essential preventive maintenance to keep anxiety problems from returning.

How to Find an Upper Cervical Phoenix Chiropractor who Treats Anxiety

When you’re searching for upper cervical chiropractors, look for someone with expertise in relieving anxiety. Dr. Anthony Montoya of Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Arizona is a trusted upper cervical Phoenix chiropractor who has the qualifications and experience to help eliminate your anxiety and provide whole-body healing.

Why delay when you could get lasting relief from your suffering in just one or more sessions? Contact Dr. Montoya today to schedule a consultation.