Written by Sophie Hose, DC, MS, DACNB, CCSP
Anxiety is a complex mental health challenge affecting millions worldwide. Often viewed as a primarily psychological issue, anxiety also has deep physiological roots in the body’s nervous system, especially in the communication between the frontal lobes and the limbic system. Chiropractic neurology offers a unique approach to anxiety by focusing on the brain-body connection and addressing imbalances in these critical networks. By fostering resilience in these pathways, chiropractic neurology may provide a complementary approach to managing anxiety.
The Role of the Nervous System in Anxiety
Anxiety is associated with dysregulation in the autonomic nervous system (ANS), especially the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), which drives the body’s “fight-or-flight” response. In moments of threat or stress, the sympathetic branch is triggered to prepare the body for action, increasing heart rate, elevating blood pressure, and tightening muscles. However, when the SNS is chronically activated due to everyday stress or unresolved trauma, the body and mind become conditioned to a state of hyper-vigilance, leading to the symptoms commonly associated with anxiety, such as muscle tension, digestive issues, and sleep disturbances.
Crucial to this process is the limbic system, which is central to processing and regulating emotions. Composed of the amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and other structures, the limbic system plays a central role in shaping emotional responses. For instance, the amygdala is responsible for triggering fear and processing emotional memories, while the hippocampus contextualizes memories and helps us determine when situations are threatening or benign. When these areas are overstimulated, as they often are in individuals with anxiety, it can lead to heightened emotional reactivity and increased sensitivity to stress.
However, the frontal lobes—particularly the prefrontal cortex—play a counterbalancing role in regulating the limbic system’s responses to stress. Responsible for decision-making, reasoning, and impulse control, the prefrontal cortex acts as a “brake” on the amygdala and other limbic structures. Ideally, it exercises top-down control, which allows us to modulate emotional responses and react more thoughtfully to stressors rather than instinctively. Unfortunately, in people with chronic anxiety, connectivity between the prefrontal cortex and limbic system can weaken, leading to a diminished capacity to regulate fear and stress. Research has shown that individuals with anxiety often have decreased functional connectivity between the prefrontal cortex and amygdala (Kim et al., 2011), leading to overactive limbic responses and a cycle of heightened anxiety.
Connectivity Between the Frontal Lobes and Limbic System: Impact on Anxiety
The brain’s capacity to manage anxiety effectively relies on strong connectivity between the frontal lobes and limbic system. When these pathways are disrupted, the frontal lobes struggle to regulate the limbic system’s heightened reactivity. Stress, trauma, and structural imbalances in the body— such as issues within the cervical spine—can all contribute to this disruption. In cases of trauma, for example, studies have shown that the amygdala can become hypersensitized to perceived threats, overwhelming the prefrontal cortex’s ability to mediate fear responses (Ghashghaei et al., 2007).
Chronic stress also has a significant impact. Prolonged stress can reduce gray matter in the prefrontal cortex, weakening its capacity to control the limbic system. This reduction in gray matter has been observed in individuals with both chronic stress and anxiety disorders (Arnsten, 2009). As a result, the brain becomes more “limbic-driven,” meaning that emotional responses are less influenced by logical reasoning and more reactive and impulsive, which contributes to the persistent state of anxiety.
For chiropractic neurologists, addressing these connections can be a central part of managing anxiety. Interventions that enhance communication between the frontal lobes and the limbic system may help regulate the nervous system more effectively. Through structural adjustments, sensory integration techniques, and neuro-emotional therapies, chiropractic neurology aims to promote a balanced, well-regulated nervous system that supports improved connectivity within these brain areas.
Chiropractic Neurology’s Approach to Enhancing Brain Connectivity
Chiropractic neurology focuses on optimizing the nervous system’s overall function and communication. Techniques are designed to support the brain’s processing of sensory input, proprioception, and emotional regulation.
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Spinal Adjustments and Proprioception
Spinal adjustments, particularly to the cervical spine, aim to relieve mechanical stress, which may impact nervous system pathways involved in anxiety. The cervical spine, or neck area, plays a crucial role in proprioception, which is the body’s ability to sense and respond to its position in space. When there is dysfunction or poor alignment in this area, it can lead to altered sensory input that disrupts communication with the brain, including the limbic system. By restoring proper alignment, chiropractic neurologists aim to reduce sensory confusion and promote more balanced proprioceptive signals. This may help the brain achieve greater stability in its processing of stress and anxiety.
Studies suggest that spinal manipulation can influence autonomic nervous system activity, shifting it from a sympathetic-dominant state (fight-or-flight) toward a more balanced state (Zablocki, 2019). This rebalancing may help restore the brain’s natural ability to regulate emotional responses by strengthening the frontal-limbic pathway, allowing the prefrontal cortex to moderate the limbic system more effectively.
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Neuro-Emotional Technique (NET): Addressing Emotional Triggers in the Nervous System
Neuro-Emotional Technique (NET) is a powerful tool within chiropractic neurology that focuses on the mind-body connection and the release of emotional stress stored in the nervous system. According to NET principles, unresolved emotional stress can become “stuck” in the body, triggering physiological responses, such as increased heart rate or muscle tension, whenever similar emotional experiences arise. This chronic stress response reinforces an overactive sympathetic system, which can contribute to anxiety.
Through gentle muscle testing and targeted spinal adjustments, NET practitioners identify areas of the body that may be holding unresolved emotional stress. By addressing and releasing these emotional blocks, NET helps restore balance within the nervous system, particularly between the prefrontal cortex and the limbic system. This release may improve the brain’s ability to process future stressors in a healthier manner and create new, more resilient neural pathways. A study on NET found that it effectively reduced physiological markers of trauma and stress, potentially leading to improved emotional resilience and reduced anxiety (Walker et al., 2004).
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Cranial Manipulation and Improved Cerebral Blood Flow
Chiropractic neurologists often incorporate cranial manipulation techniques, which focus on enhancing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow and blood circulation to critical brain areas. Cranial techniques target restrictions in cranial sutures, the joints between skull bones, which may impact fluid flow and oxygenation in the brain. By improving blood flow to areas like the prefrontal cortex, these techniques support neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize itself. This enhanced blood flow helps the prefrontal cortex maintain its connections to the limbic system, allowing for improved emotional regulation.
Research indicates that cranial techniques may also reduce the lingering effects of past head trauma, which can disrupt the brain’s natural connectivity and increase the likelihood of anxiety (Upledger, 1998). For individuals with past injuries, cranial work may support healing, particularly in areas related to emotional processing, which can aid in the regulation of anxiety.
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Myofascial Release and Muscle Relaxation
Tightness or adhesions in the myofascial tissues, especially in the neck and shoulders, can activate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased stress and anxiety. Chronic muscle tension also disrupts proprioception, potentially interfering with the brain’s sensory processing. Chiropractic neurology incorporates myofascial release techniques to relieve this tension and reduce sympathetic output, leading to a relaxation response that can help reduce anxiety.
Releasing muscular tension can reduce stress hormones and help the brain achieve a calmer state. This approach is particularly beneficial for individuals with anxiety, as the reduction in physical tension supports the brain’s natural ability to regulate emotions, which may improve the connectivity between the prefrontal cortex and limbic system (Bialoszewski & Kowalczyk, 2020).
Anxiety is a multifaceted issue that involves more than just the mind—it’s deeply tied to the brain’s structure and function. From a chiropractic neurology perspective, enhancing the connectivity between the frontal lobes and limbic system is essential to improving emotional resilience and reducing anxiety. Through techniques like spinal adjustments, NET, cranial manipulation, and myofascial release, chiropractic neurologists aim to support the brain’s natural capacity to process stress and restore balance within the nervous system. For those experiencing anxiety, this comprehensive approach could provide a valuable addition to traditional therapies and offer a holistic path toward long-term mental wellness.
If you or someone you love is suffering from anxiety and you would like to learn how chiropractic neurology can help, contact the team at Georgia Chiropractic Neurology Center today. We look forward to hearing from you.
References
- Kim, M. J., Gee, D. G., Loucks, R. A., et al. (2011). “Stronger Negative Functional Coupling Between the Right Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex and Amygdala in Women with Major Depressive Disorder.” Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2, 47.
- LeDoux, J. (2014). Anxious: Using the Brain to Understand and Treat Fear and Anxiety. Viking.
- Zablocki, T. (2019). “Effects of Spinal Manipulative Therapy on Autonomic Nervous System Activity in Healthy and Clinical Populations: A Review of the Literature.” Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 42(5), 383–391.
- Bialoszewski, D., & Kowalczyk, A. (2020). “The Impact of Myofascial Release on the Levels of Cortisol and Sympathetic Activity.” Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 48, 102-237.
- Walker, M., Varney, J., & Jurkovich, J. (2004). “The Impact of Neuro Emotional Technique on Physiological and Psychological Aspects of Emotional Trauma.” Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 10(1), 66–71.