Winter Blues: Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) With Chiropractic Adjustments
Interpreting conditions as isolated to a single part of the body is an easy mistake which is why many consider Seasonal Affective Disorder as only being limited to one’s state of mind. SAD has numerous symptoms rooted in the spine. Misalignments in the vertebrae can negatively affect the central nervous system, causing problems to appear throughout the body. Every year, around 5 percent of the U.S population suffers from seasonal depression.
Effects on the spine can also affect one’s mood. Chiropractic care provides answers to such a problem.
In this blog, we take a look at some effective ways of dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Massage Therapy
Although seasonal affective disorder is seen as a depressive disorder linked with seasonal changes, a large segment of the population is affected by another mood disorder known as winter blues.
Chilly temperatures and a lack of sunlight can lead to people experiencing lower energy-levels and bouts of depression. Massage helps in alleviating such problems including tension and fatigue. It also improves the immune system by:
- Improving quality of sleep
- Improving the mood
- Resetting circadian rhythms
- Boosting energy levels
Other benefits include regulating blood pressure, improving blood circulation, stimulating nerve endings, and removing toxins. Massage therapy also creates a feeling of calmness, focus, and helps in releasing endorphins.
Absorbing Sunlight
Unfortunately, light emitted from incandescent, sodium, and fluorescent sources do not emit full-spectrum sunlight. In fact, these lights have been known to reduce production levels among office workers and make school going children irritable during classes.
Exposure to sunlight helps improve the mood and concentration, reduce stress, and make you feel happier. Lack of sun exposure can lead to reduced levels of serotonin, a major contributor to SAD.
Get the required level of light in your diet by sticking to the following tips:
- Avoid wearing sunglasses as they create unnatural light for the eyes. They should only be worn to protect the eyes from harm or to block out very bright light especially during travel.
- If you have a tendency to get the winter blues, use a light box.
- Spend at least 15 minutes outside every day. Low levels of full-spectrum light are still beneficial to the body.
Stress is a common factor in SAD and other types of seasonal depression and contributes toward a misaligned spine. Chiropractic adjustments help to realign the spine which leads to a release of endorphins and decreased levels of irritability.
Illnesses and pain are often the body’s way of telling you to start taking care of your health. Our Shelby chiropractors, Dr. William Yadon D.C and Dr. James Stapleton D.C, have been working closely with individuals suffering from numerous depression-related illnesses and providing them with chiropractic relief, leading to far healthier and happier lifestyles. Contact them today!
