What is Depression?
Depression is a debilitating mental health condition that can manifest in many forms. There is no one true cause of depression, but factors like poor lifestyle, genetic predisposition, and the surrounding environment can all contribute to depression symptoms. Another factor that few people consider when looking to treat depression is the role that the upper cervical spine plays in mental health.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression
The signs and symptoms of depression will be entirely dependent on the individual, their background, and their genetics. That being said, there are some symptoms that are commonly experienced across the board, including insomnia, lack of appetite, disinterest in former hobbies or interests, intrusive thoughts, persistent tiredness even after sleeping, and withdrawal from loved ones.
Depression is not always immediately obvious, even to the individual suffering from the condition. If you believe you or someone you love might be depressed, speak with a medical professional for guidance.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Depression
The upper cervical spine, a region of the spinal column in close proximity to the brainstem, has a direct impact on hormone production and nerve flow. Misalignments in the upper cervical spine often result in the nerves and muscles of the upper back becoming compressed, pinched, or inflamed. Over time, misalignment-induced inflammation can disrupt or even inhibit crucial nerve activity and hormone production.
If nerve flow and hormone production continue to be disrupted, the chemistry of the brain can be dramatically altered, leading to the onset or worsening of depression symptoms.
How Our Treatment Works for Depression
Dr. Gordon Elder, our upper cervical chiropractic specialist, understands how debilitating depression can be. Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic care focuses on re-engaging the body’s natural healing mechanisms and restoring the upper cervical spine to improve nerve, muscle, and spinal function. Using the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Technique, Dr. Elder can help to ease the symptoms associated with your depression.
Taking a two-step approach to depression treatment, Dr. Elder will firstly conduct a 25 to 30-minute consultation to establish a patient’s medical history and determine whether a misalignment in the upper cervical spine could be contributing to their depression. The diagnostic process typically involves the use of advanced 3-D imaging techniques to narrow down the exact location of any potential misalignments.
After the initial diagnosis, Dr. Elder will present a specialized treatment plan, giving you the opportunity to ask any questions you might have regarding your treatment. Once your treatment commences, Dr. Elder will use a range of gentle and precise spinal correction techniques to coax the vertebrae back into alignment. By restoring the upper cervical spine, the impacted muscles and nerves surrounding the upper cervical spine will begin to relax, reducing inflammation and allowing the resumption of normal nerve activity and hormone production.
You will likely need to return to Dr. Elder for multiple treatments following your initial appointment (for at least 3-5 months) to ensure the adjustment is setting. Most patients average between 10 and 15 appointments with Dr. Elder to achieve long-lasting/permanent results.
You don’t have to put up with depression alone, get in touch today to speak with Dr. Gordon Elder about how your upper cervical spine could be triggering your condition. Located in Lubbock, Texas, Dr. Elder also services Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, El Paso in Texas, and Hobbs in New Mexico.
Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.