Unexpected Benefits of Chiropractic Care

After surgery, accident, or injury, it’s not uncommon to be prescribed chiropractic treatment. Sessions with a chiropractor help your body heal properly and maintain strength and full range of motion. But there are other benefits that can help us as we age, prepare to tackle a new hobby, or combat the aches and pains of daily life. At Family & Sports Chiropractic Clinic, Dr. Henderson will work with you on the best chiropractic plan for your individual needs.

IMPROVED IMMUNITY & DIGESTION THROUGH CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Did you know chiropractic care can benefit your gut as well? Studies show that “About 7–10% of individuals in the United States experience heartburn daily, and 25–40% experience symptomatic GERD (Gastro-esophageal reflux disease) at some point during their lifetime. However, since many affected persons control the signs and symptoms of GERD with the use of over-the-counter medications, the condition is likely underreported.”

Such things are more than simply an annoyance. Whether GERD, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), or some other ailment, intestinal issues make daily life painful, uncomfortable, and unpleasant. But chiropractic care, especially adjustments of the thoracic spine, has been shown to relieve many of their debilitating side effects.

PAIN MANAGEMENT WITHOUT PILLS

As we age, more and more medications show up in our bathrooms and bedside tables. Whether for ongoing issues or to combat the aches and pains of a rough-and-tumble childhood, there’s a prescription for it all. But chiropractic care can ease many pain symptoms and even get to the root of the issue, removing the need for pills with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

This is because, as research illustrates, “Chiropractors treat conditions related to your body’s structure. Their goal is to relieve pain and improve function. They don’t prescribe drugs or do surgery. Rather, they adjust or manipulate your spine and other body parts to get them in the right position, or proper alignment. Chiropractic care is based on the idea that when your body is in proper alignment, you have a better chance of healing yourself.”

BETTER SLEEP WITH REGULAR CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS

Get better sleep with chiropractic care in Vancouver WA

Sleep, while vitally important, is a finicky thing. It doesn’t take much in the way of stress, anxiety, pain, or discomfort and POOF, it’s gone. Chiropractic care addresses several of the most common things which keep us awake long into the night.

As with pain management, after thoracic manipulation, for example, the body releases increased amounts of neurotensin which plays a role in “pain perception, appetite control, stress responses, and reproductive functions.” It also releases oxytocin, known to “have benefits as a treatment for a number of conditions, including depression, anxiety, and intestinal problems” all of which can impact our nightly sleep. Chiropractors can also help find the true cause of pain and not just dull the symptoms.

CHIROPRACTIC COMBATS FATIGUE & BRAIN FOG

Chiropractic care care help combat fatigue and brain fog

Even before daily activities were limited by COVID-19’s social distancing, brain fog was a very real thing. Whether caused by age, stress, or other sources, fatigue and brain fog hold us back. But a recent study shows that “chiropractic spinal adjustments significantly increase activity in the brain’s prefrontal cortex, the area where higher learning and cognition happen. … The prefrontal cortex runs important control mechanisms, including joint position sense—the brain’s ability to know where the arms and legs are in space. It also controls mental rotation. The study showed that a chiropractic adjustment changes brain function by almost 20 percent on average.”

IMPROVED RANGE OF MOTION

We may assume range of motion is only important to athletes or those with hands-on jobs. But having full range of motion can prevent sprains, strains, and stiffness. It is also important in balance and keeping active so we can enjoy life to the fullest.

When we’re injured, we tend to limit physical activity (or avoid it altogether!). Sometimes this leads to muscle and joint stiffness which means we use the area even less due to tightness and discomfort. Pivotal areas like the back, shoulders, knees, ankles and other bendable, weight-bearing joints need to keep moving to keep moving, as it were. Visiting the chiropractor realigns the body so it can perform at peak efficiency.

Chiropractic care helps improve range of motion to prevent sprains, strains, and stiffness

If you or someone you love in Vancouver WA suffers from one of these issues, call Dr. Henderson and her team at 360-254-0400 today. They’ll take a full medical history and discuss issues, goals, what works, and what hasn’t. There’s no need to power through or potentially add another medicine to your list. Her skilled expertise may be just the thing to get you back on your feet, pain-free, this summer.