Written by: Dr. Nicole Yarbenet, D.C.
Pregnancy Pain
During pregnancy, there are several physiological and hormonal changes that occur in preparation for creating the environment for the developing baby. Chiropractic care can help in maintaining a healthier pregnancy, reducing the time of labor and delivery, relieving back, neck or joint pain, and preventing a potential cesarean delivery.
Anxiety
People suffering from anxiety have an overly active sympathetic nervous system which controls our fight or flight mechanism. The thoracic vertebrae are highly innervated by the sympathetic nervous system, therefore, any irritation of that area will cause symptoms of anxiety. Adjusting the thoracic spine will calm down this response and relieve anxiety.
Headaches
Headaches are a common problem. A majority of headaches originate in the neck. When you have a headache it is important to see your chiropractor. Your chiropractor can perform a spinal adjustment to improve spinal function and alleviate the stress on your system. They can also provide nutritional advice, recommending a change in diet and perhaps the addition of B complex vitamins. Your chiropractic can also offer advice on posture, ergonomics (work postures), exercises and relaxation techniques. This advice should help to relieve the recurring joint irritation and tension in the muscles of the neck and upper back.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Chiropractic cannot necessarily treat ADHD but it can help decrease the symptomatology. ADHD is a central nervous system disorder that causes tension on the nervous system. A chiropractic adjustment can help calm down the nervous system by releasing nerve tension.
Colic
Comfortless crying and periodic fussiness can be very upsetting to a new parent and even more upsetting for baby. This condition can last for hours or days. Colic is characterized by a loud piercing cry, tensed abdominal muscles, flexed legs, and clenched fingers. Any type of vertebral subluxation can adversely affect the child’s nervous system resulting in colic symptoms. A chiropractic adjustment helps to restore normal function in a child’s nervous system, bringing it back to full normal potential. The result is a happy and content baby.
Gastrointestinal Issues
The nervous system controls the digestive system in many ways. The vagus nerve which comes from the brain and travels around the first cervical bone innervates all the major organs of digestion and functions to stimulate the digestive process. Other major areas controlling digestion include the sympathetic nerves coming out of the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spine. Spinal misalignment in any of these regions can lead to neurological compromise and altered digestive function. Regular chiropractic adjustments can help alleviate digestive problems.
Sinus Infections
Your sinuses consist hollow spaces in the bones of the forehead, cheeks and temples. Healthy, open sinuses are lined with sticky mucus to ensure that air going into the lungs is moist, warm and free from dust, dirt, and pollutants. Your Chiropractor is specially trained to help properly drain the sinuses with specific cranial and upper cervical adjustments. Chiropractic care is also proven to help boost the immune system. There is a direct relationship between the immune system and the central nervous system. If we support the nervous system through proper spinal function and alignment, then we will ultimately support and strengthen the immune system.
Bed-wetting (Enuresis)
Bed-wetting (enuresis) is another of the many reasons why parents bring their children to see the chiropractor. Emptying of the urinary bladder is controlled by the detrusor and trigone muscles. The nerve supply to these muscles is via the sacral parasympathetic nerves from S2 to S4. Adjustment of the sacral segments in children will relieve any nerve interference that contributes to bed-wetting.
Difficulty breast feeding
It is very frustrating when a newborn has a difficult time latching on to breastfeed. This can be upsetting for mom and baby. The birth process is very traumatic to an infant’s upper cervical spine, by correcting the misalignment with a gentle adjustment will help the baby latch on without difficulty.
Stress
Chiropractic care can help manage your stress levels. When you experience stress, your body releases stress hormones into your bloodstream, including cortisol and adrenaline. These stress hormones cause a whole series of physiological changes in your body, such as increasing your heart rate and blood pressure, shutting down your digestive system, and altering your immune system. One of the effects of chronic stress is muscle tension and contraction, which can lead to uneven pressure on the spine, which in turn leads to subluxations. Adjustments help ease muscle tension, which will diminish the stress on certain parts of the skeleton leading to stress reduction.
If you or anyone is suffering from any of these conditions, do not hesitate- Contact Monmouth Pain & Rehabilitation for a FREE consultation ($245 value). To schedule a consultation fill out the form on this page or give us a call at 732-345-1377.
