When Environmental Worry Takes a Physical Toll: How Chiropractic Care Can Address the Body’s Response to Climate Anxiety
As climate change continues to dominate headlines and environmental concerns reach unprecedented levels, a growing number of people are experiencing what mental health professionals now recognize as climate anxiety or eco-grief. According to a survey from the American Psychological Association (APA), more than two-thirds of adults (68%) report experiencing some form of climate anxiety. While this psychological response to environmental threats is natural and understandable, what many don’t realize is how profoundly these emotional stresses can manifest in physical symptoms throughout the body.
Understanding Climate Anxiety and Its Physical Impact
Climate anxiety looks different in different people and can take many forms, including jitteriness, nervousness, increased heart rate, shallow breathing, difficulty concentrating, changes in appetite, or insomnia due to worry or concern about the effects of climate change. Muscle tension and restlessness, changes in appetite, exhaustion from continual stress, and sleep difficulties like insomnia and trouble falling asleep because of racing thoughts are examples of physical symptoms.
The connection between environmental stress and physical symptoms runs deeper than many realize. The psychoanalytic model suggests that the threat of climate change leads to two types of climate anxiety: first, the ‘apocalyptic’ fears (fears of death, annihilation and extinction); and second, complex feelings around loss, grief, dependency and guilt for losses that have already occurred and those that are to come (‘pre-traumatic stress’, ‘anticipatory mourning’, ‘solastalgia’). These intense emotions don’t just stay in our minds—they create measurable changes in our nervous system and physical well-being.
The Mind-Body Connection in Environmental Stress
When we experience climate anxiety, our bodies respond as they would to any perceived threat. Anxiety triggers the body’s stress response, also known as the fight-or-flight response. This response prepares the body to deal with perceived threats by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension. Over time, chronic environmental stress can create lasting physical changes.
Over time, chronic stress can cause wear and tear on your body, resulting in physical symptoms like chronic headaches, tight muscles, high blood pressure, chest pain, and problems with sleep. Slumped shoulders, tight chest, forward head posture—all of these are common physical patterns of stress. But posture doesn’t just reflect your mental state—it can amplify it.
How Chiropractic Care Addresses Environmental Stress
Chiropractic care offers a unique approach to managing the physical symptoms of climate anxiety by addressing the nervous system’s response to stress. Chiropractic treatments can adjust your spine to release feel-good hormones that can lower anxiety. By focusing on the alignment of your spine, these adjustments can enhance your nervous system’s function, potentially leading to a calmer state of mind.
The benefits of chiropractic care for stress-related symptoms are well-documented. A spinal adjustment can induce a positive effect by activating positive hormones throughout your body. These hormones include: Neurotensin – neutralizes pain caused by stress. As muscle tension is relieved and the body is able to relax, positive hormones like oxytocin and cortisol are released, helping to create a sense of well-being and ultimately reducing stress levels.
Specific Benefits for Climate Anxiety Symptoms
For individuals experiencing eco-grief and environmental stress, chiropractic care can provide relief in several key areas:
- Muscle Tension Relief: Stress and anxiety often manifest physically in the form of muscle tension, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and back. When muscles are constantly tense, it can lead to a feedback loop that perpetuates feelings of stress and discomfort. Chiropractic care addresses this by releasing muscle tension through spinal adjustments and manipulations. When the spine is aligned properly, muscle tension is reduced, and the body can relax more fully.
- Improved Sleep Quality: Insomnia is also a symptom of anxiety or depression. With chiropractic care, you may find it a little easier to fall asleep. Studies report that chiropractic manipulation can improve the patient’s sleep patterns.
- Nervous System Balance: Chiropractic adjustments can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system—your body’s natural “rest and digest” mode—helping counteract the “fight or flight” response triggered by stress. This activation can reduce heart rate, lower cortisol levels, and promote a sense of calm and relaxation.
- Enhanced Relaxation Response: Studies have proved that after a chiropractic adjustment, muscle activity is reduced by 25%. It is soundproof of relaxation during a chiropractic session. This kind of relaxation can help patients who suffer from stress and strain from anxiety or depression.
A Holistic Approach to Environmental Wellness
Chiropractic Care involves a complete mind-body approach that favors adjusting physical symptoms to improve mental ones. A Chiropractor is a well-equipped person to take a holistic approach to your mental health, exploring every possible way to make you feel better. This comprehensive approach is particularly valuable for those dealing with the complex emotions surrounding climate change.
When searching for the best chiropractic near me to address climate anxiety symptoms, it’s important to find a practitioner who understands the connection between environmental stress and physical health. Dr. Paul Roses of Roses Chiropractic in Bayonne, NJ, exemplifies this holistic approach. It is my personal goal to deliver health and live a life free from unnecessary drugs and medicines. His practice philosophy aligns perfectly with the natural, drug-free approach many people seek when dealing with anxiety-related symptoms.
The Natural Alternative to Medication
One of the most compelling aspects of chiropractic care for climate anxiety is its natural approach. One of the main reasons why people seek chiropractic treatment for anxiety is because it is an all-natural way of easing pain. Some people who take medication for anxiety often complain of side effects like nausea, weight gain, and fatigue. With chiropractic treatments, none of these side effects come into play.
It’s safe and drug free. Not only that, the various conditions with which people can be helped through Chiropractic adjustments are limitless because nerves that carry the brain’s signals go EVERYWHERE! This comprehensive approach to healing resonates with many individuals who prefer natural solutions to their health challenges.
Complementary Care for Comprehensive Wellness
It’s important to note that chiropractic care isn’t a cure for anxiety. It won’t replace therapy, medication, or other essential mental health resources. However, chiropractic care, by supporting nervous system function, improving posture, and releasing physical tension, offers a compelling avenue for those looking to manage anxiety holistically. While it’s not a stand-alone solution, it could be the missing piece in your wellness puzzle.
Chiropractic care should not be viewed as a standalone treatment for mental health conditions but rather as part of a broader holistic approach to wellness. In conjunction with traditional mental health therapies, such as counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness practices, chiropractic care can serve as a complementary therapy that addresses both the physical and mental aspects of stress and anxiety.
Moving Forward with Hope and Healing
Climate anxiety and eco-grief are valid responses to the environmental challenges we face, but they don’t have to control your physical well-being. By addressing the body’s response to environmental stress through chiropractic care, individuals can find relief from the physical symptoms that often accompany these emotional challenges.
Beyond these life altering moments, I believe the best part of being a Chiropractor is seeing the “light” go on in people’s eyes when they realize that God gave us all the innate ability to heal. Chiropractors serve to remove nerve interference – called subluxations, thus allowing the brain to clearly speak to every organ. Then your body can do everything it was intended to do. What is left is being healthy!!
As we navigate an uncertain environmental future, taking care of our physical and mental health becomes more important than ever. Chiropractic care offers a natural, effective way to address the physical manifestations of climate anxiety, helping individuals maintain their strength and resilience in the face of environmental challenges. By supporting the body’s natural healing abilities and promoting nervous system balance, chiropractic care can be an invaluable part of a comprehensive approach to managing climate-related stress and anxiety.