What is Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that is characterized by consistent and excessive worry or fear. Everyone experiences anxiety to some extent, and it is a normal and natural part of life. However, when anxiety becomes excessive and persistent, it can interfere with daily functioning and well-being.
There can be any number of everyday triggers for anxiety and the cause will likely change on a case-by-case basis. Sadly, one of the most commonly overlooked factors in anxiety episodes is vertebral misalignment in the upper cervical spine.
Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety can manifest in a number of different ways and individuals with anxiety disorder will likely experience both physical and psychological symptoms. Some physical symptoms may include increased heartbeat, shortness of breath, sweating, or tremors.
Individuals suffering from anxiety disorder may also experience symptoms such as difficulty managing their worry, difficulty feeling calm, problems with sleep, avoidance of situations that trigger worry, feeling irritable or agitated, difficulty concentrating, and difficulty making decisions.
How Does the Upper Cervical Spine Affect Anxiety Disorder?
The upper cervical spine (the seven vertebrae that form the topmost segment of the spine) is often overlooked as a potential trigger for anxiety disorder. As a matter of fact, the upper cervical spine plays an important role in maintaining regular nerve function throughout the body. When the vertebrae of the upper cervical spine are pushed out of alignment, it can result in the nerves surrounding the neck becoming compressed. Unsurprisingly, a compressed nerve can become a significant cause of stress and might trigger anxiety due to physical pain and discomfort. Chronic pain is known to be a risk factor for the development of anxiety and other mental health problems, and neck pain can be especially disruptive to daily life.
Additionally, keep in mind that the upper cervical spine is located in close proximity to the brainstem and its associated neural pathways and nerves. This region of the brain is responsible for transmitting electrical signals to trigger the release of endorphins and other happy hormones like serotonin. If one or more vertebrae in the upper cervical spine are out of alignment, it may interfere with the functioning of these organs and systems, potentially leading to anxiety or other mental health issues.
How Our Upper Cervical Chiropractic Treatment for Anxiety Disorder Works
At Upper Cervical Chiropractic in Boulder, our upper cervical chiropractic specialists, Dr. Christina Coblish and Dr. Ryan Moeskau, use the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Technique to help treat anxiety disorder. Using a suite of advanced diagnostic techniques, the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Technique can diagnose and treat upper cervical spinal misalignments. In turn, this technique can be used to restore the health and function of the upper cervical spine, treating conditions like anxiety disorder at the root cause rather than simply treating the associated symptoms.
Before you begin treatment, diagnostic testing is typically performed to determine whether a misalignment in the upper cervical spine could be triggering nerve disruption that is resulting in anxiety symptoms. Using cutting-edge 3D modelling software like CBCT scans, Dr. Coblish and Dr. Moeskau can create a dynamic model of your upper cervical spine. This type of technology allows Dr. Coblish and Dr. Moeskau to produce a comprehensive image of the upper cervical spine, minimizing the guesswork in locating any spinal misalignments.
If a misalignment is detected, Dr. Coblish or Dr. Moeskau will use non-invasive, precise, and gentle Blair correction techniques to push the vertebra back into its natural alignment. By coaxing the upper cervical spine into the correct alignment, any compressed nerves will be released, allowing regular nerve function to resume. With time, other bodily functions will return to normal and anxiety symptoms should ease.
If you’re suffering from anxiety disorder and can’t find relief with traditional treatment methods, Dr. Coblish and Dr. Moeskau can help. We service patients across Colorado, including Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, Erie, Lafayette, Broomfield, and Denver.