The statistics regarding the number of people in the United States who suffer from some type of mood disorder are nothing short of staggering. According to the 2005 National Comorbidity Survey-Replication study, almost 21 million American adults (9.5 percent of the population ages 18 or older) have been diagnosed with some type of mood disorder.

Examples of mood disorders include major depression; chronic, mild depression; and bipolar disorder. Major depression is considered the leading cause of disability for Americans between the ages of 15 and 44. In fact, 7 percent of Americans reported having some type of mood disorder within the previous year. Furthermore, women are 70 percent more likely than men to suffer from a mood disorder. Young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 are 60 percent more likely than those over the age of 50 to suffer from a mood disorder.

Standard treatment involves a class of medication known as mood stabilizers. Unfortunately, not all patients react the same way to the same drug. Furthermore, there is a long list of unpleasant side effects associated with these medications, including:

• Itching or rash
• Excessive thirst
• Frequent urination
• Hand tremors
• Nausea and vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Loss of coordination

Given these undesirable side effects, is it any wonder that those who suffer from mood disorders are looking for safe, effective alternatives to medication to help stabilize their mood? Fortunately, there has been some interesting research showing how chiropractic care may help in this regard. Below, Dr. Nathen Horst explains.

Connection between Chiropractic Care and Mood Disorders

There is a well-established connection between chronic pain and mood. Studies have shown that patients who suffer from chronic pain are also highly likely to also suffer from a mood disorder. In fact, both pain and mood disorders are thought to be centered in approximately the same area of the brain. The chemicals that the brain uses to combat pain – serotonin and norepinephrine – can also combat mood disorders. Given this connection, the fact that chiropractic care has been proven to reduce pain would also make it an excellent treatment to have a positive effect on mood disorders that are a result of chronic pain.

Chiropractic care addresses chronic pain by reducing pressure on the nerves leading in and out of the vertebrae of the spinal column. This can interrupt the pain cycle from the pain receptor, to the peripheral nervous system, to the central nervous system, and finally to the brain. In other words, when Dr. Horst is able to relieve pressure on those nerves that would normally carry pain signals to and from the brain, it can allow the brain to more freely send back pain-relieving chemicals to the pain receptors at the site of the injury.

Of course, even if you don’t suffer from chronic pain, the same basic concepts still apply. A chiropractic adjustment to the spine will release pressure on the nerves, thus allowing the brain to more easily release serotonin and norepinephrine throughout your central and peripheral nervous systems, which will work to enhance your mood. Dr. Horst understands your concerns about standard pharmaceutical treatment for mood disorders and can help you find alternative treatments that are safe and effective.