What is Depression?
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in the United States and can take on many forms and levels of severity. Although the stigma towards depression is fading, it remains an extremely debilitating condition, often preventing people from living a full and productive life.
There is no one cause of depression, but lifestyle factors, genetics, and environmental factors can all play a role in the development of depression. Although often overlooked, there is growing evidence that vertebral misalignments in the upper cervical spine can also contribute to depression.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression
The signs and symptoms of depression will manifest differently depending on the individual. However, there are a number of symptoms that are commonly experienced by those suffering from depression. These symptoms include lack of motivation or interest in former hobbies, feeling tired no matter how much you sleep, intrusive negative thoughts, lack of appetite, insomnia, and withdrawal from family and/or friends.
Although these symptoms are experienced by almost everyone suffering from depression, remember that depression isn’t always obvious. Be sure to speak with a medical professional if you think you or someone you love might be suffering from depression.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Depression
The upper cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae and is responsible for stabilizing the skull and protecting the spinal cord. Due to its proximity to the brainstem and central nervous system, a vertebral misalignment in this region of the spine can have profound effects on nerve activity and hormone production. In particular, researchers believe that vertebral misalignments in the upper cervical spine could induce altered activity in the autonomic nervous system, disrupting brain chemistry and causing the onset of mental illnesses like depression.
How our Depression Treatment Works
In order to treat depression, we first need to determine whether you are suffering from a misalignment in the upper cervical spine. To do so, our upper cervical chiropractic specialist, Dr. Bello, will perform a preliminary assessment to identify and locate any upper cervical misalignments. This process typically involves the use of cone-beam computed tomography scans and/or X-rays. By using these diagnostic tools, Dr. Bello will be able to correctly identify the exact location and angle of any misalignments.
Following your initial assessment, Dr. Bello will perform a series of gentle, non-invasive adjustments to restore the upper cervical spine to its natural position. By realigning the upper cervical spine, Dr. Bello will relieve pressure on the autonomic nervous system, often resulting in the relief of depression and other symptoms.
If you’re suffering from depression, don’t suffer in silence. Dr. Bello services patients in West Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Marina Del Rey, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Culver City, Westwood, and the surrounding areas.