Chiropractic and Depression

woman with Depression

Chronic pain is one of the largest causes of depression. Here at Zenaptic Chiropractic, we can help alleviate some of that pain for you. Call us today to set up your free consultation (360) 260-6903, located in Vancouver, WA


Your chiropractor can release pressure from the nerves to alleviate your chronic pain. Our emotions can control our moods, actions, and health. If you are depressed than your life may suffer. One of the largest causes of depression is chronic pain which can be rooted in the nervous system.

Your chiropractor can release pressure from the nerves to alleviate your chronic pain.

How are Chronic Pain and Depression Related?

When our bodies are in intense pain, then that can become all that we think about. Sometimes we are in so much pain that we can’t sleep or concentrate. Severe chronic pain can lead to depression.

Your stressed nerves are the beginning of a dangerous chain reaction. When your spinal column is misaligned you are putting pressure on your nerves. The pressure causes your back’s muscles and tissues to malfunction and causes a chemical interference to signal the brain.

When your nerves are compressed, you are unable to produce enough serotonin to generate new brain cells. Your brain needs new cells to create receptor sites. If you don’t have enough receptor sites than your brain will have a shortage of tryptophan, the chemical that creates serotonin. You will continue lacking serotonin until pressure is released from your nerves.

Chiropractic adjustment releases the pressure from your nerves to help restore your body to its natural healthy state.

Chronic pain is very common. Many people suffer chronic pain when an injury is left untreated. Prescription medicine can temporarily alleviate your pain, but the pain will return once the medicine wears away. Unless you are always on pain relievers then you are not creating a solution. Chiropractic care can adjust your vertebra to remove the pressure from your nerves to naturally produce the chemicals that it needs.

Warning Signs of Depression

Everyone has bad days, but depression is more than “waking up on the wrong side of the bed”. Depression can change your life. If you find every day more difficult than it used to be than you could be depressed.

There are serious warning signs of depression to be aware of:

  • Fatigue or restlessness
  • Poor concentration or memory
  • Loss of interest in usual activities
  • Change in appetite (weight loss or gain)
  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
  • Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness

Understanding the signs and symptoms of depression is the first step in getting help. The difficult emotion is often associated with chronic pain that a chiropractor might be able to help alleviate.

If you are in chronic pain, speak with your chiropractor to see if a spinal adjustment is right for you. Your chiropractor will screen your health history and injury before creating a chiropractic healing plan.

The following signs and symptoms are relevant to many people who suffer from chronic pain:

  • Injury that has lasted over 6 months – The injury could be preventing you from performing some of your favorite activities.
  • Allodynia –the experience of pain from a non-painful stimulus, such as a light touch which could cause a migraine.
  • Hyperpathia – the experience of exaggerated pain from a stimulus. A radiating and after-radiating sensation may be present from a light touch.  Hyperpathia is the severe version of allodynia.
  • Hypersensation –an overly sensitive reaction to pain from a stimulus.  A radiating and after-radiating sensation from a light pinch. Unlike hyperpathia, the pinch might actually be painful but a hypersensitive reaction amplifies the pain from the stimulus.

Summary

A sore back could be preventing you from healing from depression. When pressure is released from the spinal nerves than you are helping your brain regulate the levels of serotonin and dopamine. Your brain’s chemical deficiencies could be preventing you from being happy.

Dr. Troy uses chiropractic care to treat your depression in Vancouver, Washington. Call us for a free consultation.