Ken Whidden

How Emerald Coast Chiropractic Helps Those That Suffer From Anxiety

January 10, 2019 by drken

Anxiety can make everyday life feel like an uphill battle, and its forms—whether generalized worry, social fears, or panic attacks—differ from person to person. What works as an anxiety therapy for one individual might not help another, but there are universal strategies that most can benefit from. Regular chiropractic care, with its emphasis on whole-body wellness, offers a solid starting point for managing anxiety’s challenges.

Ways Chiropractic Can Support Anxiety Relief

Pinpointing Anxiety Triggers
Chiropractors often encourage tracking habits to better understand health issues, and anxiety is no exception. Just as a food diary can reveal dietary sensitivities, an anxiety diary can uncover what sparks your unease. Triggers vary widely and aren’t always tied to social situations. They might include:

Food allergies or sensitivities
Alcohol consumption
Caffeine intake
Deficiencies in vitamins like B vitamins, calcium, or magnesium
High sugar consumption

Emerging research also sheds light on additional tools. Clinical studies on CBD for anxiety disorders have surged by 2025, with growing evidence of its potential. While Discover Magazine notes that much of the research remains preclinical (often using animal models), human trials are gaining traction, suggesting CBD could complement traditional approaches.

Boosting Physical Health for Mental Balance
The mind-body connection isn’t fully mapped out, but its influence is undeniable: a healthier body often leads to a steadier, more positive mood. Chiropractic care prioritizes treatments to enhance your physical well-being, such as adjustments, massage therapy, spinal decompression, or ultrasound. Your chiropractor tailors these based on a thorough exam, ensuring your body operates at its best—a foundation that can ease mental strain.
Optimizing Spinal Health
The nervous system’s role in overall health is complex and still being explored, but chiropractic patients often notice unexpected benefits beyond pain relief. A few adjustments into a care plan, and some report other health issues fading away. By realigning the spine, chiropractic enhances nervous system function. While this may not directly “cure” anxiety, it can leave you feeling better overall, supporting your body’s natural rhythm and resilience.
Refining Your Diet
What you eat shapes your health—and potentially your anxiety. A nutrient-rich diet can lessen symptoms, and chiropractors, armed with up-to-date nutritional knowledge, can guide you toward smarter food choices. Whether it’s cutting back on processed sugars or adding more whole foods, your chiropractor can collaborate with you to shift your eating habits, fostering a body that’s better equipped to handle stress.

Collaborating with Your Care Team

If you’re working with a mental health professional for anxiety, your chiropractor can coordinate with them to maximize your progress. A multi-faceted approach—combining chiropractic care with other therapies—often yields the best results, and your chiropractor is ready to support that teamwork.

Ready to explore how chiropractic can help? Contact our team today to book an appointment. We’re excited to assist you on your journey to better health and peace of mind!

What About Animal Chiropractic For My Pets?

October 1, 2018 by drken Leave a Comment

You’ve likely heard of people visiting chiropractors to ease pain or tackle health issues, but did you know your pets can benefit too? Animal chiropractic care is growing in popularity, and by 2025, some pet insurance plans even cover it. Much like it helps humans, this drug-free, non-invasive approach can manage pain and address conditions like arthritis or joint injuries in animals. Many pet owners rave about the results, noting that their furry friends not only feel better but actually look forward to their chiropractic visits!

Which Animals Can Benefit from Chiropractic Care?

Virtually any vertebrate species can experience the perks of chiropractic care. Dogs, cats, and horses top the list as the most common patients, but birds and other animals with spines can benefit too.

For years, veterinary chiropractic has been a go-to for performance animals like show horses, racehorses, and barrel racers. It’s a trusted way to ease the physical stress these animals endure in their roles, while also speeding recovery from injuries and keeping pain in check. For household pets like dogs and cats, it’s often used to tackle aging-related issues, arthritis, or injuries—especially when a pet can’t tell you they’re hurting. If your pet seems off, grumpy, or less active, a chiropractic visit (perhaps paired with a vet-approved supplement like CBD oil for pets) could be worth exploring.

Common Conditions Treated with Veterinary Chiropractic

Veterinary chiropractic targets biomechanical and neurological issues, much like its human counterpart. Pets are often treated for conditions such as:

Spondylosis
Hip dysplasia
Degenerative joint diseases
Intervertebral disc disease
Neck or back pain
Cervical instability

It can also help with autonomic nervous system issues, including muscle weakness, urinary or fecal incontinence, and stubborn pain that resists standard treatments. While severe injuries like ligament tears or fractures might need surgery, chiropractic shines post-recovery—easing pain and correcting compensatory habits that arise from favoring an injury. For working animals, regular adjustments can maintain flexibility and range of motion, helping prevent injuries before they start.

How Does Veterinary Chiropractic Work?

Chiropractic focuses on keeping the spine and joints in their natural alignment. The nerves around these areas link to the central nervous system, which connects to every organ, including the brain. Even a slight misalignment can disrupt this communication, leading to muscle or joint pain, organ dysfunction, or a dip in overall health. When the spine’s out of whack, the body can’t perform at its best. Adjustments restore alignment, helping everything run smoothly again.

Setting Your Pet Up for Chiropractic Success

To make the most of your pet’s chiropractic visit, come prepared with their full backstory: vaccination records, health history, current conditions, diet (including supplements), medications, and daily routine. If an injury’s involved, share how it happened if you know.

After the adjustment, ask questions if anything’s unclear—whether it’s about at-home exercises, follow-up care, or lifestyle tweaks like adjusting a saddle, collar, or exercise plan. Dr. Jess might suggest changes to support your pet’s recovery or long-term health. Your pet relies on you to make these calls, so stay proactive—they’re counting on you!

How Headache Sufferers Benefit From Emerald Coast Chiropractic

September 3, 2018 by drken

Chiropractic Care: A Gentle, Effective Solution for Headache Relief

Headaches affect nearly 90% of Americans at some point in their lives, and for many, finding relief can be a challenge. Fortunately, a growing body of research highlights chiropractic care as an effective option for managing headaches. Unlike conventional treatments, chiropractic care is gentle, non-invasive, drug-free, and widely recognized for its minimal side effects—making it an appealing choice for headache sufferers.

Headaches: A Common Yet Complex Problem

Headaches vary widely in intensity, from mild discomfort to debilitating pain. Some people experience them only occasionally, while others battle them regularly. Traditional medical approaches often focus on symptom management, typically through pain medications that can bring unwanted side effects. Chiropractic care, however, takes a different path by addressing the root causes of headaches, empowering the body to heal itself under the right conditions.

Understanding the Most Common Headache Types

The two primary headache types that affect most people are:

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches top the list as the most prevalent type. Their pain can range from subtle to intense, often described as a tight, constricting band around the head. Symptoms vary but commonly include:

Steady, non-pulsing pain
Tightness or pressure in the forehead, temples, back of the head, or sides
Neck stiffness or discomfort

As the name suggests, tension headaches stem from physical tension, often in the neck or upper back, triggered by stress, poor posture, or muscle strain.

Migraine Headaches

Though less common than tension headaches, migraines impact about 13% of Americans and can be far more disruptive. Migraine symptoms often include:

Throbbing or pulsating pain, typically on one side of the head
Heightened sensitivity to light
Nausea or vomiting

Despite advances in research revealing brain activity patterns during migraines and identifying common triggers, the exact cause of these intense headaches remains under investigation.

How Chiropractic Care Makes a Difference

Studies show chiropractic care offers real benefits, especially for tension headache sufferers, though it can also support those with migraines. Here’s how it helps:

Chiropractic Adjustments

Misalignments in the spine—known as subluxations—can irritate nerves, tighten muscles, and even cause spasms, all of which contribute to tension and headache pain. Chiropractic adjustments gently realign the spine, reducing nerve pressure and relaxing tense muscles. This approach tackles the underlying issues, providing lasting relief beyond temporary symptom masking.

Lifestyle Guidance

For migraines, which are often tied to specific triggers, chiropractic care extends beyond adjustments. Chiropractors offer tailored lifestyle advice, such as dietary changes or strategies to avoid triggers, empowering patients to manage and reduce migraine frequency and severity effectively.

Take the First Step Toward Relief

If headaches are disrupting your life, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and discover how our chiropractic team can provide the relief you’ve been seeking. Let’s work together to address your headaches naturally and effectively!