At the Health & Wellness Clinic located in Layton, Utah, when it comes to chiropractic care, many people come to us for help managing back pain, neck pain, arthritis and joint pain, headaches, as well as improving bowel regularity and dealing with ear infections. But did you know you can also find yourself with an improved mood and outlook? In fact, while treating physical ailments are the most common reasons for visits, improved mental health is an additional benefit to using chiropractic care for better health and wellbeing.

Obviously, when chronic pain is managed regularly, you will feel better because you are experiencing less pain which encourages a positive outlook. As you may already know from firsthand experience, constant pain can seriously affect one’s mood and mental health, so managing your pain with regular chiropractic adjustments can help with anxiety and depression. Feeling better physically can facilitate emotional healing as you feel more like engaging in the activities you love and interacting socially with others.

It’s important to note that your body’s chemistry regulates your mood through the nervous system. Along with the brain, your organs are regulated by the nervous system. When the spine is misaligned in the first, second or third vertebrae, it may result in pressure on the area of the brain stem that impacts you neurologically and chemically. Making upper cervical adjustments can positively affect brain-based conditions, such as increasing the blood flow to the cerebral spinal fluid.

According to a study published in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research in 2013, out of a group of 2818 patients receiving chiropractic care, 76% of them found that their mental/emotional health improved, including reduced stress and increased life enjoyment in the months after receiving chiropractic care. As chiropractic adjustments improve the function of the nervous system so that it operates at optimal levels, it can more quickly and efficiently balance the body chemistry that impacts mood disorders.

Since mood disorders, such as depression, arises from chemical imbalances in the brain, controlling these imbalances can make a huge difference. A healthy body, through a process called homeostasis, is able to work on correcting health imbalances by detecting changes and readjusting. With regular chiropractic support, we can assist your body’s nervous system to function optimally to keep the body healthier and more balanced, especially if it helps you achieve a more restful, healthy level of sleep.

Our experienced chiropractors, Dr. Dan Hendricks and Dr. Spencer Rollins, look forward to helping you achieve overall health and wellness. If you would like to come in to find out how you can benefit from treatment, please give us a call at 801-784-4807 to schedule a visit. We look forward to helping you achieve your optimal health and wellness goals!

Did you know that the food you eat (and don’t eat) can hurt your skeletal system over time? A poor diet lacking in nutrients can not only harm your bones but can stress them as well if you are carrying excess weight around. In fact, one of the best things you can do to support your skeletal system is to eat a healthy, balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight for your size.

A nutritious diet can provide you with the strong, supportive bones you need to live a healthy life. Generally speaking, the bones that make up your skeletal system consist of collagen and calcium. This doesn’t just make your bones strong to support you in your day to day life, but it offers them some flexibility as you move around without resulting in injury. As you age, the skeletal system is always replacing the old bone cells with new cells, which is call remodeling. Remodeling is the ongoing resorption and mineralization of parts of the skeleton.

What Your Skeleton System Needs to Thrive

Calcium – without proper levels of calcium in your body, your bones will release calcium to make up for it, and eventually become weak. Calcium is not only needed for healthy bones (and teeth), which you probably already know, but your muscles need it to contract, and for example, to maintain a healthy heartbeat (avoiding muscle cramps). Excellent sources of calcium include tofu, dairy, dark leafy greens, beans, okra, acorn squash, clams, and trout. (The daily value for calcium is 1300mg).

Vitamin D – this fat-soluble vitamin is needed for healthy bones by fostering calcium absorption, bone maintenance and continued bone growth. If you lack sufficient Vitamin D, your bones can end up brittle, thin, and even misshapen. It prevents softening of the bones in adults, and when it is paired with sufficient calcium it protects you from osteoporosis (weak, brittle bones) as you age. Good sources of vitamin D include fatty fish like salmon as well as milk and cereal which are fortified with vitamin D.

Vitamin K – like vitamin D, vitamin K helps maintain optimal bone health, especially when it comes to preventing osteoporosis. It can also help lower your risk of bone fractures. You can increase your intake of vitamin K by consuming leafy green vegetables, such as kale, spinach, and collard greens. Brussel sprouts, celery, broccoli, okra, sun-dried tomatoes, cabbage, carrots and asparagus are excellent sources as well.

Phosphorus – this mineral helps maintain strong bones, but not too much is needed. It is a good idea to maintain a balance between your calcium and phosphorus intake because too much phosphorus can keep your body from absorbing calcium. Limit your intake to 1,250 milligrams each day. You can get it from drinking milk or soda and eating grains and foods that are rich in protein.

When it comes to diet and your skeletal system, be sure to maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight will stress your joints, causing degeneration that could damage cartilage and result in bone injuries. Lean towards whole grains, low-fat dairy, fresh fruit, and plenty of vegetables. A healthy diet and healthy exercise habits can support your bone health for a better quality of life.

At the Health & Wellness Clinic located in Layton, Utah, Dr. Dan Hendricks and Dr. Spencer Rollins are trained in overall health and wellness. We can help you make healthier, more balanced changes in your lifestyle to support your skeleton system’s optimal function. Just reach out to our experienced team 801-784-4807 today, and start your journey to a healthier you!