Chiropractic Care Eases Severe Depression

Local Doctor Stresses Mind-Body Connection:

Chiropractic Care Eases Severe Depression

(20 February 2009, Remuera). A case study authored by Alain M. J. Desaulniers credits regular wellness chiropractic care with helping a 46-year old man overcome his major depression and increase his quality of life.

In New Zealand, one in ten adults is diagnosed with a mood disorder. In nearly all cases this is depression, which has a population prevalence of 10.5%. This represents about 340,900 adults ever diagnosed with a mood disorder [1]. The disorder is usually treated with antidepressants, according to the study, but the quality of life of people who are severely stressed or depressed is subdued by the medications’ many unwanted side effects.

The prevalence of the disorder has Dr. Neil Bossenger pointing to the case report published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research [2]. The report states the important role chiropractic care can play in the management of stress, depression and anxiety.

In this particular study, a 46-year old man suffered from major depression and was taking an antidepressant with unwanted side effects, such as decrease in his sex drive, dizziness, muscle weakness and insomnia. A chiropractic evaluation revealed that he had suffered physical and emotional trauma in the past, which led to distortions in the spine. These distortions do not enable the body to function properly because of interference to the nervous system, and the problem may be corrected with chiropractic adjustments.

The patient had a total of 34 adjustments done on various parts of his spine over a period of 11 months. After the first visit, his dizziness subsided and he experienced a decrease in lower back and neck pain. After three visits, he felt less anxious and fatigued and reported an increase in muscle strength. Over time, his depression significantly improved and he was eating healthier.

Previous studies have shown a correlation between spinal stress and the onset of social disorders, in addition to biochemical changes in the brain. One of the areas that chiropractic care focuses on, in the spinal cord, is rich with neuropeptide receptors, which are responsible for the so-called brain reward cascade that triggers a feeling of well being.

“An impairment of these receptors due to distortion in the corresponding area of the spine can be one of the underlying causes for depression and for mood or social alterations,” said Dr. Bossenger. “However, more studies of this kind are needed. But one thing is clear: A well adjusted spine and nerve system is vital to our health, to our overall state of well being and thus to our quality of life.”

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