Chiropractic for Your Liver
When people think of chiropractic care, they think of the spine. Because of the popular back-cracking videos that have made their way around the internet, along with other clips about chiropractors treating the neck and spine, it’s easy to assume that joint adjusting is the only function of chiropractic care. Chiropractic care is so much more than this! If you’ve been struggling with symptoms that have nothing to do with your spine, you may think chiropractic can’t help you—but there’s a very good chance that it can. Whether your symptoms include digestive disorders, Crohn’s, GERD, acid reflux, headaches, migraines, nausea, anxiety, depression, lethargy, or brain fog, chiropractic can benefit every organ and system in the body. Today, we’re going to talk about how chiropractic care can benefit the liver.
What ailments are common with the liver?
The liver is prone to three main, most common ailments: damage from viruses, scarring on the liver (cirrhosis), and fatty liver. These ailments each require dedicated medical treatment, and can be life-threatening in severe cases. The liver can also be affected by inherited conditions like Wilson’s disease, hyperoxaluria, hemochromatosis, and Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Lifestyle habits can also affect the liver, like drug use (prescription or otherwise) and alcohol use.
When the liver is not functioning optimally, it can create a variety of symptoms. These symptoms can include appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, jaundice (yellowed skin and eyes), abnormalities in bowel movements, and inflammation and swelling. Often, however, people don’t even notice symptoms if their liver is being stressed or not working correctly.
How can chiropractic care help with the liver?
Chiropractic care doesn’t directly treat the liver, but it doesn’t have to in order to produce beneficial results. Chiropractic care primarily focuses on treating the neuro-musculoskeletal system. By treating this system, the resulting effects can be very beneficial for the liver and whole systems of the body, like the lymphatic system, the immune system, the cardiovascular system, and more.
Chiropractic & The Liver
The liver is part of the digestive system, which means that it is a prime candidate for being treated by chiropractic care. Chiropractic care treats the nervous system directly. It works on the central nervous system, which comprises the spine and the brain. By adjusting the joints and bones of the spinal cord, nerve signals are regulated throughout the entire body. Additionally, pressure is relieved from nerves that are inflamed by misaligned joints.
When chiropractic care balances the nervous system, it affects the entire body—especially the digestive system. The digestive system has its own nervous system, which is called the enteric nervous system. This nervous system is responsible for providing cues to all of the organs in the digestive system, including the stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, small and large intestines, and of course, the liver.
Chiropractic Treatments for Liver Health
Regular chiropractic treatments can have a wonderful therapeutic effect on the entire body, including the liver and surrounding organs. Whether you’re receiving an adjustment, spinal traction, decompression therapy, or another form of treatment, as chiropractic helps to restore proper function to the neuro-musculoskeletal system, it affects the whole body.
By receiving chiropractic treatment, all of your body systems can function more efficiently. This can relieve stress on the body’s organs and provide support to the entire body. In the case of the liver, it can benefit directly from chiropractic treatment in several ways.
Increasing Detoxification
Chiropractic treatment can help to increase the effect of detoxification in the body. This is very helpful when dealing with liver ailments that rely on the lymphatic system to help clean out toxins and clear away dead cell residue, for example, in the case of cirrhosis of the liver.
Relaxing the Nervous System
Chiropractic treatment is widely known for relaxing and rejuvenating the nervous system, as it directly treats the central nervous system. When the liver, or any other organ of the body, is in distress, relaxing the nervous system is highly beneficial. This can help to regulate chemicals being released into the body, hormone distribution, and cell function. The nervous system is the control center of all other body systems, so regulating its function is a boon to all organs in the body.
Improving Circulation
In a situation where the liver is in need of rehabilitation and recovery, it’s vital to improve circulation. Circulation brings new nutrients and oxygen to the organs, while carrying away toxins and dead cell waste.
Decreasing Inflammation
Chiropractic treatment can help decrease inflammation across the entire body, including in the organs. Chiropractic can have an inflammation-decreasing effect by regulating the function of the nervous system, moving bones and joints back into proper alignment, and helping to boost the function of all body systems.
Chiropractic Care in Huntsville, AL
If you’re looking to support the health of your liver and other organs, chiropractic care can help. At North Alabama Spine and Rehab, Dr. Adam Shafran has helped thousands of patients meet their wellness goals, bolster their health while being treated for various diseases, and recover after injury or illness. Our goal at North Alabama Spine and Rehab in Decatur is to ensure that you’re feeling your best, no matter what your circumstances or symptoms are. Book your appointment today to learn more about how we can help you in achieving all of your wellness goals!
