Did you know that almost 21 million Americans suffer from at least one addiction, while 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 addiction treatment include rehabilitation and therapy. Chiropractic care is an effective treatment that goes well with a drug rehab or therapy program. Let’s take a look at the top benefits of receiving chiropractic care for people with addictions.
1. Less Stress
When a person becomes sober, this is a stressful time in their life. Their body is getting used to functioning without substances, and 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 method to relax and better manage stress and anxiety without using drugs or alcohol.
To help reduce stress levels, it’s important 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 properly send messages 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. In turn, these adjustments can help lower stress hormones known as cortisol. This will help a patient’s body get out of the frequent fight-or-flight state. Instead, the patient will feel more at ease and find it easier to manage their stress. This will help them successfully complete their therapy or rehab program.
2. Less Pain
It’s no surprise that people develop drug addictions due to suffering from chronic injuries or pain. 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 expert care, support, and resources to learn how to cope with their pain without using addictive drugs. Holistic treatments like chiropractic can help reduce a patient’s pain levels using safe, drug-free adjustments. Indeed, chiropractic promotes the release of feel-good endorphins, which are natural painkillers sans side effects. How awesome is that?
Studies have shown that chiropractic adjustments are an effective way to lower 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 to achieve pain relief without using drugs.
3. Improve 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 central nervous system. In turn, this will improve a patient’s mood, ability to sleep, and how they perceive themselves. A licensed 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.
4. Improve Impulse Control and Reduce Cravings
Chiropractic care can help patients improve their impulse control and lower their cravings. This is due to the patient becoming more self-aware, a major 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. In turn, patients can enjoy having more stable moods and be less likely to make impulsive choices. When those cravings surface, patients will find it easier to control those feelings and continue their recovery process.
Visit Your Local Parker and Denver, CO Chiropractor
When you visit our office at Awaken Chiropractic, our expert Parker chiropractor will create a personalized treatment plan based on your health needs, budget, and goals. Chiropractic care is an effective supplement to an existing therapy program. This holistic care helps improve a patient’s physical, mental, and emotional health and wellness, which is vital for overcoming an addiction. The last thing anyone wants is to regress with their recovery. Contact Awaken Chiropractic in Parker and Denver, CO today to learn more about how principled chiropractic can treat a wide range of health conditions, from addiction to back pain.
