Chiro As Self-Care 

You’ve probably heard a pretty good amount about self-care over the past few years. Self-care is basically the things you do to take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Vacations are probably the most obvious example, but self-care doesn’t necessarily have to entail booking flights or hotel rooms. Sometimes simple things can make a huge difference. As it turns out, chiropractic treatments can also very much entail self-care. In this article from your local Burnsville, MN chiropractic center, we delve into how and why chiropractic treatments can count as self-care.

Can Chiropractic Treatments Release Emotional Trauma?

Yes. Many people store their emotions in their bodies. This is one of the facets of somatic yoga, which you may have seen trending. You may notice that when you are stressed, you get really tight around your shoulders, or perhaps your lower back.

Yoga and chiro both perform in similar ways here. Both practices will relax tense muscles, which in turn improves range of motion, circulation, and nerve function. Plus, they lower stress and help with the mind-body connection.

Chiropractic treatments may also release emotions that are very deeply buried.

Why Do I Cry After A Chiropractic Treatment?

It’s actually not uncommon for people to cry during or after chiropractic treatments. This is actually a good thing. That isn’t called a release for no reason: when you get into those stored emotions, letting go of them can feel very much like a huge weight is being lifted off you. It’s also a way of releasing things that are not helpful anymore, such as a snake shedding skin.

How Will I Feel After A Chiropractic Adjustment?

Overall, you should feel better after every treatment. However, as your body goes through the changes and healing processes, you may initially feel a bit uncomfortable. The most commonly reported after-effect is simply feeling tired. Try to schedule your appointments for days when you can just go home after.

Fatigue isn’t the only possible side effect. You may also notice some soreness, and perhaps dizziness or headaches. This is normal. This happens because the treatment allows the body to release toxins that have been trapped in the tissues.

Any discomfort you feel should be both mild and short-lived. Typically, these things reside after about 24 hours. If issues persist, reach out to your chiropractor. 

What Are The Benefits of Chiropractic Treatments?

Chiropractic treatments go a long way toward keeping you mobile and supple. Both of these things are beneficial of their own accord. However, they also help keep you on track with whatever physical activity you do.

When it comes to self-care, exercise may very well be king. The benefits of regular exercise have been well-known for a very long time. 

Here are some of the main points:

• Better sleep
• More energy
• Decreased stress
• Weight Control
• Lower blood pressure
• Strengthens bones
• Better brain function
• Builds self-confidence
• Improves mood
• Strong muscles
• Heart health
• Improved concentration
• Improved mental health
• Longer life
• Lowered risk of stroke
• Can Help Prevent Disease
• Better blood sugar control
• Better Bone density
• Reduce the Risk Of Falling
• Lowers Risk Of Some Cancers

Ask your Burnsville, MN chiropractor for more information on the benefits of chiro. 

You May Sleep Better After Seeing Your Chiropractor

Did you know that chiropractic adjustments can lower your risk of developing sleep apnea? One reason is that it can lower the amounts of cortisol—the stress hormone—in your body. Better neck alignments also help with better sleep.

Chiropractic Treatments Can Be Relaxing

One thing we’ve learned a lot about in recent years is how damaging stress can be, and the havoc it can wreak on the body.

Here are a few examples:

• Muscles: Stress can cause the muscles to stiffen up. Over a period of time, this can interfere with circulation, cause pain and stiffness, and also lead to headaches. In fact, chronic muscle tension in the upper body has been linked to both migraine and tension headaches. According to research, chiropractic treatments can reduce electrical activity in the muscles by as much as 25 percent.
• Respiratory System: Stress can also interfere with your respiration. If you are extremely anxious, you may start to breathe rapidly and may possibly even hyperventilate. For people with chronic conditions, such as asthma, this can exacerbate those issues. In fact, one of the best things you can do to calm yourself is to breathe deeply. 
• Cardiovascular System: Acute stress can increase the heart rate, and will also cause stronger muscle contractions. It also tends to prompt the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol. If you are extremely stressed, the body will eventually go into fight-or-flight mode. This is fine once in a while, but to remain in that continued state is extremely damaging, and also increases the risk of hypertension, heart attack, or stroke. Stress also contributes to inflammation of the blood vessels, which may be linked to heart attacks. With women, the loss of estrogen may also play a role, as estrogen does appear to be beneficial to the blood vessels.
• Endocrine System: The body runs on a complex, finely-tuned mix of chemicals and hormones. These come into play in some way with nearly every body function.  Stress can definitely play a role here. If you are feeling stressed, the body increases production of cortisol. Cortisol has a detrimental effect on the body in several ways. Chronic stress can wreak havoc in many ways. One example is that it can cause impaired communication between the immune system and the HPA axis, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal. Possible complications include chronic fatigue, metabolic disorders, depression, and immune disorders.
• Gastrointestinal System: Have you ever lost your appetite when you were upset? Or gotten butterflies in your stomach from nerves? Stress also greatly impacts digestion and the gut biome, which can affect mood and also impacts the brain’s health.  Chiropractic treatments can help with nausea, stress, and circulation, all of which affect your gastrointestinal system.

Taking Care Of Yourself After A Chiro Adjustment

While many people seek out chiropractic treatments as a means to cope with back or neck pain, it’s also just a good way to take care of your body. Your physical and mental health are very closely connected! 

Keep self-care in mind when making appointments. You may want to consider combining chiropractic treatments with massage, for an ultimate relaxation day. Even if you don’t, try to schedule the appointment for a time when you can just go home and relax after. 

Also, remember that chiropractic is just one aspect of self-care. Other things you can do to keep your body, mind, and soul healthy include getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, eating well, and just taking some time to unplug. 

Of course, we also can’t overstate the importance of simple pain relief and how helpful that is for self-care. If you are suffering from any type of chronic condition, such as headaches or neck aches, chiropractic treatments at our Burnsville, MN Chiropractic Center could potentially make a huge difference. 

Make An Appointment At Our Burnsville, MN Chiropractic Clinic

Are you interested in learning more about chiropractic treatments? Please do not hesitate to contact us. As your local Burnsville, MN chiropractic care center, we are here to help!