BLOG

Mental Health and Chiropractic

by

Studies show that one in five Americans deal with mental health illnesses. Your mental health is so important to prioritize and considering everything going on in the world, it is essential now more than ever. Whether you experience anxiety or depression or know someone who does, it is always valuable to check in with yourself and others on their mental health.

Chiropractic is a great way to practice self-care and take steps towards good mental health. Because of the mind-body approach of Chiropractic, we often see patients who experience positive emotional changes in response to routine chiropractic care. If you are looking for a holistic way to address struggles with mental health, you may consider seeing a chiropractor.

Symptoms of Anxiety/Depression

While there are many symptoms of anxiety and depression that vary from person to person, some common physical symptoms include:

  • Chronic fatigue/Sleep problems
  • Muscle tension
  • Migraines/Headaches
  • Restlessness
  • Stomach Aches

How Chiropractic Provides Relief from Stress and Anxiety

When doing a chiropractic adjustment, we are looking for areas in the nervous system that are out of balance. When you have subluxations or misalignments in your spine, you may be experiencing symptoms of muscle tension due to your body being stuck in a stressful state. When you get adjusted, your body begins to release that stress often resulting in more mental clarity.

The nervous system is the control center of the body and it helps keep the body in homeostasis. Because the goal of chiropractic is to restore the function of the nervous system, we often see that patients who are experiencing anxiety or depression find relief.

A Holistic Approach

Chiropractic care is not a cure or replacement for therapy but that does not mean it can’t be beneficial for those struggling with their mental health. While medications prescribed for anxiety and depression come with side effects, chiropractic provides an all-natural approach to improved mental health. If you are looking to address your mental health symptoms in a holistic way, try out chiropractic care.

Relieves Tension

One of the most common symptoms we see in patients experiencing depression and anxiety is muscle tension. Chiropractic focuses on spinal health as well as musculoskeletal health. Routine adjustments help relieve muscle tension caused by depression and anxiety resulting in headaches or stiffness in the body. This kind of relief promotes relaxation and better sleep which can go a long way when it comes to mental health.

Releases Positive Hormones

Chiropractic adjustments trigger a release of positive hormones such as oxytocin and cortisol. These hormones help reduce stress and increase overall health and well-being.

New Patient Appointment:

For a natural and holistic approach to mental health, use the links below to schedule a new patient appointment.

Back to School and Chiropractic

by

Mood swings, meltdowns, and outbursts, oh my! We know transitions can be hard, especially for kiddos heading back from the summer relaxation to the school year’s hustle and bustle. We love knowing that chiropractic adjustments can help the nervous system to be more adaptable to those changes!

How Chiropractic Can Help

Adjustments allow the nervous system to be more at ease, and be more adaptable through life! Stressors come in all forms- mental, physical, and chemical. Adjustments are one thing we can add to ease the external stressors on our bodies. If your child or one you know has a difficult time with transitions, consider getting them checked by a pediatric chiropractor to see where the hidden stressors lie within, and if chiropractic is a good fit for your family’s goals!!

Backpack Ergonomics

Wearing a backpack can put stress on the body especially when it is not done correctly!

Wearing a backpack properly is a crucial step you can take in order to make sure your kiddos aren’t stressing their bodies or their posture. Using two straps is essential to make sure there are not any asymmetries that are occurring.  Holding the weight higher above the pant line will spread the weight out instead of letting the backpack go lower on the back. Talking to your kiddos about how poor posture when wearing a backpack can lead to lower sports performance, more fatigue, and soreness it may help give them the motivation they need to have better posture!

Sitting at a Desk

When kiddos are sitting at their desk we want to ensure they aren’t leaning forward, backward, or to any side. Being neutral and sitting straight up is a great way to make sure they aren’t stressing their body. This can be hard in the uncomfortable chairs they use at school so a great tip is to stick their sweatshirt behind their low back for more support. Have your kiddo take breaks to move their body and their neck from looking down all day. Bedtime yoga is a great way to keep the body mobile with how much sitting they have to do throughout the school year.

New Patient Special: K – 12

  • $25 New Patient Special for all students Preschool – 12th Grade
  • New Patient Special Includes: Consult, X-Rays, and Report of Findings
  • Call our office at (970) 223-5501 to claim

3 T Reduction (Stress)

by

In our office, you’ll hear us talking about the 3 T’s of chiropractic. The 3 T’s are thoughts, traumas, & toxins. These are the 3 main ways we get subluxated in the first place; thoughts being our mental or emotional stress, traumas being physical stressors, and toxins being chemical stress. Everything we’re exposed to in our environment has to be processed by our nervous systems. So when the body is unable to adapt to whatever stress it encounters, it stores it in the body which is when symptoms start to show up. Before we get to the point of pain and discomfort, we want to encourage you to be PROactive rather than REactive when it comes to your health. By reducing “the 3 T’s” you can reduce stress on your system to help you feel and function better!


Reducing Emotional Stress


This can be a whole blog post in itself. But mental health can be an overwhelming topic to unpack, so taking baby steps can help it be a little more manageable. One simple thing you can incorporate into your day to reduce emotional stress is meditation. Numerous studies have shown amazing benefits of meditation, including reducing overall stress and anxiety. Insight Timer is an awesome free app you can use to start practicing.

Reducing Physical Stress


When we talk about physical stressors many people think of car accidents, broken bones, slips, falls, etc. But another major form of physical stress is actually LACK of movement. We live in the age of technology, which makes everything accessible at our fingertips. Society is sitting more than they ever have, and it’s affecting our health and wellbeing. The spine and nervous system need to be in motion to stay healthy. During those long days at the office make sure you’re incorporating some movement into your schedule. An easy way to do this is when you’re on your lunch break, do about 5-10 minutes of intentional movement. This can be a quick yoga flow or a few minutes of stretching to get the blood flowing and muscles warmed up again. It doesn’t take much, and your body will thank you!

Reduce Chemical Stress


Everything we put in and on our bodies must be processed by the nervous system. Chemical stress can come in many forms; it’s the food we eat, the water we drink, the medications we take, and even the personal care products we use on our bodies. Think about how many products we use in a day, then multiply that by months, then years. That is a lot of different chemicals we’re exposed to over our lifetime. That’s why being intentional with the products we purchase is so important. Everything adds up and impacts our health, so one way to help reduce your toxin load is to buy organic whenever possible. Although it’s slightly more expensive than other products, the health benefits far outweigh the financial investment.

Organic food has a lower risk of exposure to antibiotics, growth hormones, and pesticides (all of which have shown negative effects on hormonal health). Organic food also provides more nutritional value, so you’re getting more out of what you’re putting into your body. A good way to start transitioning to more organic is by replacing a few things at a time. Start with items on the “Dirty Dozen” list (a list of the top 12 “dirtiest” produce).

To start your 3 T reduction journey, get started with routine chiropractic care at Impact Chiropractic. Sign up for a New Patient Appointment today.

Summer in Fort Collins

by

Visit Fort Collins

Summer is here in Fort Collins, Colorado! With summer comes warmer weather and more time outside! Fort Collins has so much to offer in the summer for everyone. Below are some of the summer activities we love most.

Outdoor Breweries

New Belgium: Located on Linden Street, New Belgium is a great family-friendly outdoor brewery to go and spend time with family and friends and play yard games while enjoying a local beer. Not only are they known for their delicious drinks, but they are also certified B-Corp that is dedicated to putting people and the community first.

Odell Brewing Company: 100% employee-owned and independent, they are as local as it gets! Odell is known for their beautiful patio and striking mountain views making it an ideal spot for locals and visitors to hang out. Also, they are dog friendly and have daily food trucks to enjoy.

Equinox Brewing: The focus at Equinox is to bring people outside to enjoy good beer and good conversation. On sunny summer days they have a beer garden where you can come and enjoy free live music on Friday and Saturdays. Meanwhile, there are 18 taps of wide variety so everyone has a beer to enjoy with the music.

Horsetooth Reservoir

Fort Collins is home to an incredible scenic reservoir in the foothills. Horsetooth is a great place to go for a sunset picnic, take a swim, rent a boat, go on a summer hike, or just to take a relaxing and beautiful drive. The reservoir runs north to south and is about 6.5 miles long. There is something there for everyone. This spot is enjoyed by many and is just 20 minutes from Old Town.

City Park

City Park is a great spot to meet up with friends and enjoy the beautiful Colorado summer weather. Groups can go to the park to lay out in the sun, play tennis, volleyball, pick up soccer games, and much more. Afterward, you can head to town to grab some food at one of the amazing local restaurants just a few miles from the park.

Old Town

Old Town Fort Collins is a historical center point of the city with tons of amazing shops and restaurants for locals and tourists to enjoy. It is great for everyone whether you are looking to get drinks at the Union or shop local at Sunday Supply Co.

Local Coffee Shops

There are tons of cute local coffee shops in the area and the summertime is the perfect time to try out somewhere new! Some of the local shops we enjoy include:

  • Harbinger Coffee
  • Lima Coffee Roasters
  • Everyday Joes Coffee House
  • Starry Night Espresso Cafe

Webster Certified for Prenatal Care: What Does It Mean?

by

Our Doctors at Impact Chiropractic are Webster Certified, which means they have specialized in the care of prenatal patients. What sets our doctors apart from others by being Webster Certified?

The Webster technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and diversified adjustment. The goal of the adjustment is to reduce the effects of sacral subluxation/ SI joint dysfunction, as well as work with the soft tissues of the low back and pelvis. In doing so, the neuro-biomechanical function in the pelvis is improved. This helps to establish more room in the uterus for baby to develop and move into an optimal position. 

Why is this important for expecting mothers? Because of the particular female adaptations from the increase of hormones, weight gain, and postural adaptations, pregnant mothers have a greater chance of sacral subluxation and neuro-biomechanical imbalance than the general population.

The chiropractic adjustment has beneficial effects on all body functions by reducing nerve system stress. Pregnant mothers may see significant improvement in symptoms by having their spines checked regularly throughout pregnancy, as well as optimizing health benefits for both the mother and baby.

This certification is not part of the requirements for a typical doctor of chiropractic degree, so our doctors took additional classes and training to become proficient in the art of adjusting prenatal patients. If you are expecting and looking for doctors who have specific training in prenatal care please call and make an appointment today!

All About CBD: CBD Benefits and More

by

What is CBD?

CBD is a chemical found in Cannabis. It does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, the ingredient in marijuana that produces a high. Rather, it is often used to reduce stress and anxiety and calm the body, and for the many CBD benefits.

CBD comes in many different forms. You can use it in oil, creams, capsules, gummies, or as a vapor. Some forms of CBD are more bioavailable than others. This means that they are more easily absorbed by your body. When looking for a CBD product, be sure to look for full-spectrum or broad-spectrum products instead of isolate or distillate. This will give you more of the CBD benefits.

Benefits:

CBD is used for a variety of reasons. When consumed or applied topically, CBD interacts with neuroreceptors in your endocannabinoid system, which sends signals between your cells to help regulate your movement, mood, homeostasis, and immune system.

  1. Anxiety and Depression Relief

CBD has natural calming effects that help to relax the body and mind which in turn helps relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression.

2. Pain Relief

Topical CBD is often used to relieve pain in localized areas of the body.

3. Heart Benefits

Research has shown that CBD may benefit the heart and circulatory system including the ability to lower high blood pressure.

CBD and the Nervous System

On top of the benefits listed above, CBD has been known to benefit the nervous system as well as several neurological disorders. Researches believe that CBD’s ability to act on brain-signaling symptoms can benefit people who have neurological disorders.

Epilepsy and MS are two of the most common disorders CBD is used for. It is known to have neuroprotective properties that help to reduce muscle spasms and seizures as well as improve sleep.

Joy Organics

Shopping local when you can is always best! We love to support other small businesses in the Fort Collins area. Joy Organics is a Premium USDA certified organic CBD that is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. It is bioavailable and comes in many different forms. They are dedicated to improving as many lives as possible and they do that by focusing on the quality of their products and educating their consumers. Check out Joy Organics to get your supply of CBD!