Did you know that almost 21 million Americans have at least one addiction? Despite these high numbers, only 10 percent receive treatment. Addiction refers to a mental disorder where a person repeatedly uses substances or participates in behaviors that are harmful to their health, well-being, and personal and professional lives. Common forms of treatment to treat addictions include rehabilitation and therapy. Chiropractic care is an excellent treatment that pairs well with a drug rehab or therapy program. Keep reading to discover how chiropractic can help patients struggling with addictions.
Lower Your Stress
When a person becomes sober, this is a stressful time in their life. Their body is getting used to functioning without substances, while they are likely feeling anxious and worried about the future. These emotions are normal and to be expected during recovery. Chiropractic care is an effective way to relax and better manage stress and anxiety without using drugs or alcohol.
To help reduce stress levels, it’s crucial that a patient has a correctly aligned spine. When the spine is not aligned, this can interfere with the central nervous system being able to send messages correctly to the body. A licensed chiropractor can perform specific, gentle adjustments to reduce nerve irritation in the spine, release muscle tension, and improve blood circulation levels. As a result of these adjustments, levels of the stress hormone called cortisol will be lowered. This will help a patient’s body no longer be in a constant fight-or-flight state. Instead, they will feel more relaxed and thus find it easier to manage their stress. This will then help them successfully get through their therapy program.
Decrease Your Pain Levels
It’s no surprise that people develop drug addictions due to living with chronic injuries or pain. For example, opioids are a commonly prescribed drug to treat chronic pain. Opioids can be addictive, which may explain why 21 to 29 percent of patients abuse using them and 8 to 12 percent of patients develop an addiction to this drug. During therapy, patients will receive the care, support, and resources to learn how to cope with their pain without using addictive drugs. Holistic treatments like chiropractic can help decrease a patient’s pain levels using safe, drug-free adjustments. Indeed, chiropractic promotes the release of feel-good endorphins, which are natural painkillers without side effects. How cool is that?
Studies have shown that chiropractic adjustments are a great way to decrease back pain, an issue that impacts millions of Americans annually. This is a safer alternative to prescription pain-relief drugs. The American College of Physicians recommends spinal manipulations, acupuncture, and massage therapy as an effective alternative to addictive pain-relief medications.
Improve Your Emotional Health
During the recovery process, it’s normal to experience various emotions. This isn’t surprising since substance abuse is a way to cope with emotional and/or physical pain. A therapy program will open up old wounds that may be challenging or painful to bring up. By receiving chiropractic adjustments, a patient will experience less stress levels and a better functioning nervous system. This will then improve a patient’s mood, ability to sleep, and how they perceive themselves. A chiropractor will help improve a patient’s emotional health and wellness, which will give a patient the boost to get through their rehabilitation and remain sober.
Improve Your Impulse Control and Reduce Your Cravings
Chiropractic care can help patients improve their impulse control and lower their cravings. This is a result of the patient becoming more self-aware, a benefit of holistic treatments like chiropractic, massage therapy, and yoga. When patients become more aware of their mental and emotional health, this helps them learn how to better manage their addictions. As a result, patients can enjoy having more stable moods and be less likely to make impulsive choices. When those cravings hit, patients will find it easier to control those feelings and move forward with their recovery process.
Choose the Best Chiropractor in Plano and Frisco, TX
When you visit our office at Keystone Chiropractic, our expert chiropractors will create a personalized treatment plan based on your health needs, budget, and goals. Chiropractic is a great supplement to a current therapy program. This holistic care will help improve a patient’s physical, mental, and emotional health and wellness, which is essential to overcome addiction. The last thing anyone wants is to fall back into old habits after working so hard on their recovery. Contact Keystone Chiropractic in Plano and Frisco, TX today to learn about our state-of-the-art chiropractic care that treats various health issues, from addiction to sleep disorders.
