Chiropractic Care and Crohn’s Disease: What You Need to Know
What is Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease is a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract which causes inflammation in the digestive system. Crohn’s disease is known for causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and malnutrition.
Crohn’s disease can affect people of all ages. It can be life-threatening and debilitating, or it can create very mild symptoms. The cause of Crohn’s disease is not well known or understood, but it appears to run in families. Research indicates that individuals with a close relative who has Crohn’s disease are much more likely to also experience Crohn’s.
Crohn’s disease can cause discomfort in everyday life. For an individual with Crohn’s (or other digestive disorders) it is not uncommon for there to be interruptions in regular tasks and activities due to digestive distress. This can mean that traveling, events, outings, and sedentary or physical activities can become impeded due to symptoms and side effects of Crohns.
Additionally, Crohn’s disease can take a toll on other parts of the body, including other systems like the immune system. Chronic inflammation in the digestive tract over time can contribute to imbalances in other areas of health, and, if resolved, can also lead to relief of various other symptoms.
What is chiropractic care?
Chiropractic care is a form of healthcare that specializes in treating the neuromusculoskeletal system. This system is made up of the nervous system, the muscular system, and the skeletal system. Together, the three systems that form the neuromusculoskeletal system influence a lot of the body’s functions. When any of these three systems are disrupted, the body’s natural balance is negatively affected.
The nervous system, which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves throughout the body, is responsible for much of the body’s perceptible functions and activities. When the nervous system is inflamed, stressed, or unbalanced, it can create pain, discomfort, and erratic activity in the body. Chiropractic helps to regulate the nervous system through each hands-on treatment, decreasing inflammation and helping to reset the nervous system’s processes.
The muscular system, which is made up of the muscles of the body, helps the body to move and function. When the muscular system is tense, strained, or otherwise compromised, it can create pain, inflexibility, inflammation, and decreased range of motion in the body. Chiropractic care contributes to the healing of the muscular system through various ways, but primarily through manual adjustments and realignment of the bones and joints, which helps to remove pressure from the muscles.
The skeletal system, which consists of the bones and joints of the body, is responsible for holding up the body’s structure and allowing movement while supporting physical strength. When the skeletal system is misaligned, strained, inflamed (joints), or otherwise imbalanced, it can lead to muscle and nerve pain, organ dysfunction, poor sleep and cognition, lack of energy, overly tight or strained muscles, and physical weakness. Chiropractic care helps to address pain and dysfunction in the skeletal system by realigning the bones and joints, supporting skeletal healing, and facilitating the strengthening of the body’s overall structure.
Can chiropractic care help with Crohn’s disease?
While Crohn’s disease is considered a strictly digestive disorder, it may surprise you to discover that chiropractic care has a verifiable history of helping to soothe and alleviate digestive malfunction.
This may be due to effects of chiropractic care on the enteric nervous system, a major part of the nervous system that lines the entire gastrointestinal tract. The enteric nervous system (called “the second brain”) directly connects the brain, spinal cord, and digestive system. Chemicals and hormones that flow through the body can dictate the function of the enteric nervous system, as well as stress, environmental influences, and diet.
How Chiropractic Care Affects the Digestive System
Because chiropractic care helps to regulate the entire nervous system, it can also affect the enteric nervous system, which is directly responsible for digestive function. By helping to regulate the enteric nervous system, chiropractic care can help to soothe digestive issues and reset gastrointestinal tract function.
Chiropractic care is a non-invasive, non-surgical form of treatment. It offers many different kinds of interventions, many of which are hands-on, and some of which are machine-assisted. Your expert chiropractor is thoroughly trained to deliver the appropriate form of treatment that would best support your body’s healing and any unique conditions you’re experiencing.
Your First Appointment
At your first appointment at North Alabama Spine and Rehab, you will first receive a comprehensive and detailed physical assessment to determine exactly what symptoms and conditions you are experiencing.
Once your expert chiropractor understands your unique situation, you will receive your first treatment and may be provided with a customized treatment plan for continued care. At North Alabama Spine and Rehab, we strive to ensure that you can enjoy the highest possible level of health and wellness available. If you’re ready to experience it, book your appointment now!
