Body and Mind
Why offering counselling at Cedar Tree Chiropractic makes so much sense…
From The Body Keeps the Score* to the power of walking in nature and dance to help mental health, research is now proving what a lot of us knew instinctively – that the links between mental and physical health are endless. I see it time and time again in my clients – from the visible weight that grief can hold in the body to the nervous energy of anxiety manifesting in a tapping leg or a clenched jaw. And when some of this weight and tension is shared and talked about, and your nervous system has a chance to regulate by being in the same room as a calming nervous system (mine!), I can see the changes visibly in the body. Clients say they feel lighter, as if a weight has been lifted, and the way they walk out of my room is so often noticeably different.
My home on a Wednesday - the warm and welcoming Cedar Tree in Branston @Jules Lowe Counselling.
I’ve also experienced it myself. I first arrived as a client at Cedar Tree, complaining of a sore lower back that I assumed was a result of many, many years of Primary School teaching… When my chiropractor asked me how long my shoulders had ached, my response was wait, are shoulders not supposed to ache? I realised that years of taking on the burdens of everyone around me and the weight of grief were taking a physical toll on my body, as was my desire to hide from the world and make myself small by keeping my head down and my shoulders protecting me. I made regular visits to Cedar Tree to ease the tension and heal me physically. And I made regular visits to my counsellor to unpack why I was feeling the way I was, lighten the burdens I was carrying and heal emotionally. The result? The combination of working on both my body and mind means I now stand so much taller and lighter.
When Ben and I first discussed offering counselling at Cedar Tree, it was obvious that we were both passionate about the links between body and mind, and how we could combine our skills to offer clients the complete package when it terms to making long-term improvements to their health. I do believe that we could talk about it all day (and maybe one day we shall!), but for now I asked him to share with us a few of his thoughts on how the services that we offer are linked…
Ben Roberts is the Principal Chiropractor and Co-Director at Cedar Tree Chiropractic in Derby and Burton @Cedar Tree Chiropractic
Where do you see tension most in the body? Can you tell when it’s stress?
From my experience tension most often shows up in the shoulders, neck, and lower back. Stress-related tension tends to feel different from an acute injury—it usually presents as a more widespread, persistent tightness rather than sharp or localized pain. A big clue is when the muscle tension doesn’t match a specific physical event, like lifting or twisting, but instead seems to flare during periods of emotional or mental strain. Stress-related issues often come with other subtle signs too, like shallow breathing, jaw clenching, or a general restlessness in the body.
Can you see a person’s mood in their posture? Have you seen a person’s posture improve as their confidence grows?
Yes, absolutely you can, mood and posture are so closely linked. People who feel low, anxious, or overwhelmed often carry themselves in a more collapsed or protective way—the shoulders roll forward, the chest caves in, and the head moves forward and drops. In contrast, confidence and a positive mood can appear as an open chest, lifted head, and more balanced alignment. I’ve seen patients’ posture improve not only through chiropractic care but also as they work on their mindset or emotional health. Sometimes the body leads the way—helping someone stand taller physically gives them a sense of strength internally. Other times, as a person’s confidence or sense of wellbeing grows, their posture naturally reflects that shift. Generally, I would say that in most cases the latter is true, when a person’s confidence improves the posture follows suit.
Why is it important for you to have a counsellor as part of Cedar Tree?
The body and mind are deeply interconnected. Stress, anxiety, and emotional strain doesn’t just stay in our thoughts—it shows up in our muscles, joints, and posture. Likewise, ongoing physical pain or tension can weigh heavily on someone’s mood and mental health. Having both chiropractic care and counselling under the same roof means we can support the whole person. A counsellor helps patients address the emotional patterns that might be driving physical tension, while chiropractic care helps the body release that stress and move more freely. Together, it’s a more complete approach to healing and long-term wellbeing.
Ready to heal both body and mind?
Cedar Tree Chiropractic has clinics in both Derby and Burton - cedartreechiropractic.co.uk
I offer counselling at the Burton clinic on Wednesdays - Book An Initial Call
* Van der Kolk, B, (2014). The Body Keeps the Score. Penguin.
