Upper Cervical Chiropractic Can Help With Depression

What Is Depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that impacts how you think and feel. People suffering from depression will usually suffer from ongoing sadness and/or a lack of interest in anything. 

Depression can be the root of, or a symptom of, a long list of mental and physical health problems. There is no single cause, and no single cure, but one thing is for sure: depression can have a devastating impact on a person’s life and on the lives of those who care about the patient. 

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

The way depression manifests varies from person to person. While some sufferers do feel extremely sad and experience emotional turmoil, this is not everyone’s experience. For others, the symptoms can be more subtle—they may lack interest in the things they need to do or used to love; they are not motivated to pursue goals or hobbies. They may withdraw from activities and loved ones, isolating themselves. 

The latter manifestation of depression is less obvious, so much so that people may not realize they or their loved ones are even suffering from depression. But even in this form, depression is no less traumatic in the lives of sufferers. 

People with depression often report feeling fatigued. They may tire easily, sleep excessively, or have trouble sleeping. Depression is often accompanied by negative thoughts that can intrude throughout the day and night.

How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Depression

More and more, research is revealing connections between upper cervical spine health and depression. The uppermost seven vertebrae starting just below the base of the skull, which makes up the upper cervical spine, are located right where the brain stem and the spinal cord connect. This vital juncture is the location of many nerve pathways that send signals from the central nervous system to the rest of the body. 

It’s easy for the upper cervical spine to become misaligned. It doesn’t take a major jolt to cause alignment problems; a minor car accident, a fall, a sports injury, or even poor posture can cause the vertebrae to become misaligned. When the vertebrae are misaligned, it causes inflammation and pinched nerves that interfere with the autonomic nervous system’s function. When the flow of nerves is impeded it can disrupt signals controlling the brain chemistry, and mental illnesses like depression can be a result.  If a misalignment of the spine plays a role in your depression, symptoms may only worsen if the problem is ignored. 

How Our Treatment Works for Depression

Dr. Elizabeth Hoefer is a specialist in the Blair Chiropractic Technique, a modern technique that utilizes advanced technology to help the doctor apply precise yet gentle corrections to help realign the spine. 

Dr. Hoefer of the Well Connected Chiropractic uses 3D diagnostic tools to assess each patient’s anatomy and assess any misalignments that need corrections. There are no quick twists and jerks more commonly associated with chiropractic visits. Using minimal force, she then applies swift but gentle pressure to make those corrections.

Once the upper cervical spine is realigned, the nerve pathways can resume their natural processes so the body can start functioning optimally again and begin healing. Chiropractic treatment is a safe, effective, drug-free way to help with symptoms of depression. 

Dr. Hoefer services patients in Orange County, including Anaheim, Rancho Santa Margarita, Dana Point, San Clemente, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, and Santa Ana.