What is Depression?
Depression is a common mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in hobbies/activities. Depression can affect individuals of any age and is a serious condition that requires treatment. While traditional treatment consists of therapy, medication, or a combination of both, upper cervical chiropractic care is a less common form of treatment that focuses on correcting misalignments in the upper cervical spine.
It is important to seek help if you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of depression.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression
There are many signs and symptoms of depression, and they will often present differently from person to person. Some common symptoms of depression include persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness, losing interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable, changes in sleep patterns, changes to diet or weight, physical agitation or slowed movements, lack of energy and extreme fatigue, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, extreme feelings of guilt or worthlessness, and thoughts of death or suicide.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Depression
There is growing evidence to suggest that the upper cervical spine may be related to mood and emotional wellbeing. The atlas and axis (the first two vertebrae of the upper cervical spine) are located near the brainstem, which is the part of the brain that controls a wide range of important functions, including respiration, heart rate, hormone production, and digestion.
Some studies have found that people with upper cervical spinal misalignments may be more prone to depression and other mood disorders. This is likely due to the misaligned vertebrae pushing into the brainstem or the surrounding nerves. If the nerves or the brainstem are compressed, the electric signals that are sent around the body to trigger the production of happy hormones like serotonin might be affected. Left untreated, imbalances in hormone production can lead to serious alterations in brain chemistry, potentially triggering the onset of a depressive episode.
How Our Treatment for Depression Works
At Upper Spine Knoxville, Dr. Bejian Shamloo can help you to treat and manage your depression. As our resident upper cervical chiropractic specialist, Dr. Shamloo focuses on restoring the health and function of the upper cervical spine to treat mental health issues like depression.
Before your treatment begins, Dr. Shamloo will conduct a series of advanced scanning techniques to view your upper cervical spine. These techniques include advanced 3D imaging and infrared thermography; this advanced technology allows Dr. Shamloo to observe the exact location and angle of vertebral misalignments in the upper cervical spine that could be triggering your depression.
If a misalignment is detected, Dr. Shamloo will perform a series of adjustments to correct the affected vertebra and restore natural alignment to the upper cervical spine. By realigning the spinal column, Dr. Shamloo will not only re-engage the body’s natural healing mechanism, but also relieve pressure on the brain stem, allowing the proper flow of nerve signals and healthy hormone production to resume.
If you’re suffering from depression and can’t find relief from traditional treatment options, Dr. Shamloo can help. Dr. Shamloo services patients with upper cervical chiropractic treatments across Knoxville, Alcoa, Maryville, Farragut, Clinton, Oak Ridge, Sevierville, Lenoir City, Karns, Hardin Valley, Powell, Halls, and Fountain City in Tennessee, as well as the surrounding areas.