Emotional Ease
Emotional tone is inextricably linked to the function of primitive midline areas of the brain. The emotional parts of the brain develop early in life, much earlier than the verbal thinking areas of the brain. Emotions provide the motivation for our actions, and over the course of evolution they have promoted behavior that enhances the survival of our species. Genetic makeup, emotional history, the balance of brain chemicals, and the relative activity of different parts of the brain all influence our emotional tone. Unhealthy functioning of the emotional centers of the brain can lead to behaviors that have a dramatically negative impact on a person’s quality of life.
Chiropractic neurology can be very helpful for easing emotional disorders such as anxiety, depression, and chronic anger. Treatment often includes vitamins and minerals, nutrition, and sensory stimulation that activates particular parts of the brain.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that carry messages in the brain. They are continually made and released from nerves, and then reabsorbed or broken down. The process of making and recycling neurotransmitters requires particular vitamins and minerals. When these are absent, the process breaks down. The result of this is emotional stress. A chiropractic neurologist can determine a regimen of supplements that will provide the balance of vitamins and minerals that is appropriate for the individual and will help generate emotional ease.
Another way that a chiropractic neurologist can assist with emotional processes is to help prevent the production of neurotoxins—chemicals that interfere with normal brain function. Unhealthy organisms in our intestines can make and release chemicals that are stressful for the brain. Histamine reactions from hidden food allergies can also have a detrimental affect on our brain and emotions. Diet and digestion are therefore very important considerations for working with anxiety and depression, and a chiropractic neurologist is trained to assist you in making dietary choices that will support your emotional health.
Emotional disorders can also be the result of an imbalance of brain activity. The two sides of the brain have different but complimentary functions that can affect emotional function; the left side is more active during exploratory, “approach” types of behavior, and the right side is more active during cautious, “checking out the scene” types of behavior. Both types of behavior—pushing forward and hanging back—are important, but if one predominates it can cause problems.
Chiropractic neurologists are trained to evaluate the side-to-side differences in brain function in order to design treatment plans that will support an optimal balance between these behaviors.
You may wonder about the effect of genetic makeup in determining a person’s emotional habits, and whether treatment will be effective on hereditary disorders. Genes influence the rate that our brain chemicals are made or broken down. Genes therefore cause tendencies, but the effects are not written in stone. A chiropractic neurologist can often use specific targeted nutritional supplements and dietary modifications to optimize the functioning of our particular genetic makeup.
Some combination of sensory stimulation (including specific body work and manipulations), nutritional supplementation, and dietary modifications can be a tremendous help for dealing with depression, anxiety and chronic anger.
