Mind - Body Link and Chiropractic

There is ever increasing evidence to show that stress can have profound adverse effects on the body and the immune system's ability to fight disease. Stress, both physical and emotional, has been linked with auto-immune and rheumatic diseases. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is one of the many auto-immune diseases commonly encountered in today's society and it is an inflammatory condition frequently seen by chiropractors.

Depression and Stress

Depression and stress can alter the function of the Immune System. When a situation is perceived as mentally or physically stressful the nervous and hormonal systems work together to secrete hormones that increase thebody's energy stores and metabolism. This inflammatory reaction to stress means sickness or trauma can worsen auto-immune diseases. Stress fuelled emotions directly affect the emotions of the brain, triggering the hormone release that increases metabolism.

The Development of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The pattern of decline during auto-immune diseases, RA as an example, has been shown to correlate with three factors in the environment; hormones,infection and stress. The cause of RA and the link between genetic and environmental factors are still to be clarified, but links have been found between Stress and Disease and Exacerbation. The Communication pathways between the brain and the immune system may play a large role in the development various diseases.

How Chiropractic Can Help 

Patients tend to attribute the cause and exacerbation of their Rheumatoid Arthritis to mental stress and
excessive fluctuations in the weather. Sufferers of auto-immune disease have difficulty with the uncertainty and sense of helplessness often associated with this disease. These patients often look for reasons to explain their disease, often to the point of distorting memory of past stresses. 

Chiropractic Treatment

Chiropractic cannot provide a cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis or other auto immune disorders, but can significantly relieve the symptoms. The chiropractor will always consider the patients comfort first and foremost, using the appropriate force for stiffness of joints, tendons and ligaments. This will relieve the condition in three ways; by directly affecting the disease in the Nervous System; by releasing the body’s natural pain relieving chemicals, Endorphins and by reducing stress in order to exploit the pathways between the brain and the immune system. 

When a person's perception of their disease changes the resulting positive thoughts can stimulate a powerful feeling of well-being which in turn influences the symptoms of the disease by addressing the psychological and spiritual areas of a patient's life and giving feedback  on the progress of their general health, holistic medicine can maximise health potential  both in and out of practice hours.

Chiropractors have been found to be successful in exploiting the effect of stress relief by creating a relaxed environment in the clinic. Focusing on finding the cause of the disease, as opposed to telling a patient their disease is life long, leads to more positive thinking and possible recovery. So chiropractic offers a three-fold treatment, not only treating the nervous system and relieving symptoms, but also helping the mind to heal the body.