Depression
Helping Depression with Chiropractic Care
Depression is a complex mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can profoundly impact a person’s emotional health, mood, thoughts, and physical well-being. Fortunately, depression is treatable.
Many people find relief with the right combination of therapy, medications, and other types of natural care, like chiropractic. Innate Life Chiropractic fosters a supportive environment for those struggling with depression. We use a holistic approach and gentle adjustments to heal the mind-body connection and improve your quality of life.
Depression is different from sadness. It is normal to experience sadness, grief, and bereavement in certain situations. The death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or the end of a friendship are difficult experiences to endure. However, depression persists with time and involves other symptoms than sadness alone.
Some people may only experience expression once in their life. For others, depression may require long-term treatment. It’s common for people to have multiple episodes.
Depression can look different from person to person. Different types of depressive disorders may require different treatments:
- Clinical depression (major depressive disorder)
- Persistent Depressive Disorder (PPD, formerly Dysthymic Disorder)
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD, seasonal depression)
- Prenatal depression
- Postpartum depression
- Atypical depression
Causes for Anxiety
- Chemical imbalance
- Hormonal changes
- Heredity
- Stress
- Physical trauma or abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Neglect
- Housing problems and homelessness
- Poverty
Doctors have not pinpointed the exact causes of depression. It may be a combination of things. Research suggests that genetic, environmental, psychological, and hormonal factors play a role in depression.
It can also be a symptom of disorders that affect mental and emotional function. Depression can also occur with other serious medical conditions like cancer, diabetes, and Parkinson’s.
Common Symptoms
Physical Symptoms
- Unexplained back pain
- Headaches, muscle aches, and unexplained pains
- Feeling weak or tired
- Being easily fatigued
- Digestive problems
Mental Symptoms
- Persistent feelings of sadness
- Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
- Pessimism
- Feelings of guilt
- Restlessness
- Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death
- Suicidal thoughts or ideation
- Self-harm
- Suicide attempts or suicide
Behavior Symptoms
- Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities
- Avoidance of social interaction
- Inability to meet work or home responsibilities
- Reduced appetite and weight loss
- Increased food cravings and weight gain
- Greater impulsivity and increased engagement in high-risk activities
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Insomnia or oversleeping
- Slowed thinking
- Trouble thinking, concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Slowed speaking or body movements
Common Symptoms in Children and Teens
Depression can occur at any age and is increasingly common in childhood. Children and teenagers can experience different symptoms than adults. For example, they may express more irritability and anger than sadness. Symptoms are disruptive and interfere with everyday activities, school, and family life.
- Feeling misunderstood
- Refusing to go to school
- Poor performance at school
- Extreme sensitivity
- Angry outbursts
- Irritability or frustration
- Being underweight
Potential Depressive Episode Triggers
- Changes in daily routine
- Stressful life events
- Abuse and trauma
- Lack of sleep
- Poor eating habits
- New medical diagnoses
- Some medications
Help for Depression at Innate Life Chiropractic
The spine and central nervous system are crucial in overall body function. Misalignments in the spine can disrupt communication between the brain and body. Pressure and tension in the spinal cord can notably affect your emotional state and lead to significant health concerns, including depression.
Chiropractic adjustments aim to correct these misalignments, which can result in improved nerve function and better brain-body connectivity. Chiropractic care provides a drug-free and natural way to target the interconnected nervous system. Adjusting the spine and spinal cord allows your brain to assist your body in healing, leading to less depression, pain, and discomfort.
Getting Started
If you or someone you know is dealing with depression, know you have choices beyond medication and therapy. Innate Life Chiropractic is here to introduce this natural care into your treatment plan. Chiropractic is a science-based, safe option that improves physical and mental well-being.
