The link between chiropractic care and mental health

Do you suffer from a mental health disorder? You’re not on your own − one in five Australians will experience mental illness this year alone, and nearly half will have mental health issues at some point in their lives.

Anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders like alcohol dependence are the most common. Many people who struggle with mental illness either don’t seek or don’t receive treatment, and therefore remain undiagnosed and unsupported.

Part of the problem may be that the body and brain are often treated as separate; different systems that don’t relate to one another. This is where chiropractic comes in – we understand that your physical health and mental health are connected and that physical therapy can help to improve mental health.

Factors such as a poor diet, stress, sleep problems, reduced mobility and pain can all contribute to poor overall health. Research shows that a healthy diet, exercise, strength training, body awareness practices, and relaxation techniques can benefit not only physical function but psychological function too − it’s all interconnected.

So, if you’re wondering, “Should I mention my mental health challenges to my chiropractor?” The answer is yes for a number of reasons.

Firstly, mental illness can create physical tension. By knowing what’s happening in your mind, we can better understand and treat your body.

Secondly, mental illness can interfere with your ability to participate in treatment. We can assess your health, talk to you about your lifestyle and stressors, and discuss reasons that might get in the way of being active or engaged in care.

Thirdly, we are primary healthcare providers. We can share advice that promotes wellbeing and targets specific issues. If we’re not able to help, we will refer you to an appropriate health professional.
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We’d love to support you on your journey to better health.