Caring For Those Who Care For Us

By now, our nurses and healthcare workers are running on empty. The long months of COVID-19 haven’t been easy yet they continue to care for those in need 24/7. In honor of National Certified Nurses Day on March 19, consider reaching out to someone in the industry with a hug—virtual or well-masked—and a special treat. Working long hours has put tremendous strain on body, mind, and spirit. A chiropractic session with Dr. Chani Henderson followed by a rejuvenating massage can make sure they remain physically strong, limber, and pain-free.

Family and Sports Chiropractic Clinic in Vancouver Washington helps keep healthcare workers healthy through chiropractic care

“Caregiving is an all-consuming responsibility, whether you’re doing hands-on personal care or managing care from a distance,” say industry experts. “That can put you at risk for compassion fatigue…It’s common in doctors, nurses, and other health professionals and is called secondary traumatic stress. You basically get stressed from continually helping or wanting to help others who are suffering. If it’s not managed, compassion fatigue significantly worsens your health and well-being.”

But stepping away from work, especially with Coronavirus showing little sign of slowing down, isn’t always easy. That’s why engaging in small pick-me-ups can make a world of difference. They suggest eating a healthy diet, getting help with (or delegating) household chores, and taking “time for yourself each day—even if it’s only 10 minutes.”

Chiropractic care is another way to help manage the symptoms of depression and anxiety which arise when we’re exhausted and stressed. “Chiropractic care is healing your body from the inside out,” explains Dr. Henderson. “At Family & Sports Chiropractic Clinic we know this to be true. We have worked with thousands of patients and watched them find freedom as they liberate their body from pain through chiropractic treatment.”

Mental health specialists explain that “High blood pressure is a common symptom of anxiety and/or stress. Researchers found that blood pressure was reduced after both chiropractic sessions and massage therapy. One study even saw results after only 15 minutes of workplace massage therapy. This shows that chiropractic care can reduce anxiety and stress symptoms.”

They also appreciate how chiropractic care is “all-natural. Patients taking anxiety and depression medication often complain of the side effects, which include insomnia, nausea, weight gain and fatigue. Chiropractic care works to reduce anxiety symptoms, so you can potentially avoid taking medication and dealing with its side effects.”

Treatment also helps with sleep, combatting tension and stiffness, and eases headaches. But nurses and caregivers may also enjoy a lesser-known side-effect. “Chiropractic care helps relax patients,” specialists explain. “The atmosphere of a chiropractic session can make the patient feel less stressed and his/her muscles more relaxed. Studies that measure electrical activity in muscles found that after a chiropractic adjustment, muscle activity was reduced by 25%. This is great evidence of relaxation during a chiropractic session. This kind of relaxation can really help patients suffering from stress and tension as a result of anxiety and/or depression.”

If you or someone you love is a nurse, doctor, or hospital worker, they might also suffer from physical exhaustion as much as mental and emotional. Medicine is a very hands-on field, and this can cause more than just aches and pains at the end of the day. Staff should seek chiropractic treatment for ongoing issues with lower back and neck pain as well as headaches, muscle and joint pain, and stiffness.

“About three million RNs work in industries across the United States,” say educators. “Many of them face workplace hazards while performing routine tasks. Nurses tirelessly spend many of their working hours walking, bending, stretching, and standing, which exposes them to several physical risks, including fatigue, slips, trips, or falls. They are also vulnerable to back injuries since they are frequently tasked with lifting and moving their patients on a regular basis.”

Chiropractic care does more than relieve pain and discomfort. It can also improve balance and range of motion in areas which have been impacted by years of repetitive motion or surgical repair. You don’t have to live with the discomfort anymore. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Henderson to discuss your past medical history, ongoing issues, and hopes for the future. She’ll walk you through all the options and discuss treatment that fits your unique needs.

National Certified Nurses Day may only roll around once a year but there’s always a good reason to celebrate the nurses and healthcare professionals in your life. We may not be able to gather in the hospital break room for cupcakes and coffee this year but showing them how much you care is priceless.

healthcare workers and nurses in vancouver wa can see huge health benefits from chiropractic care at family and sports chiropractic near the vancouver mall