Georgia Chiropractic Neurology Center

Brain Based Treatment for the 21st Century!

Written by Sophie Hose, DC, MS, DACNB, CCSP

Depression is one of the most widespread mental health challenges in the United States. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 21 million adults experienced at least one major depressive episode in 2020—representing 8.4% of the U.S. population. Even more concerning, the prevalence of depression is on the rise, especially among young adults, with rates doubling in the last decade.

Despite the availability of traditional treatments like therapy and medication, approximately 30-40% of individuals with depression do not experience significant relief. These statistics highlight the need for more comprehensive approaches that address not just the mind but the body as well.

Chiropractic neurology offers a fresh perspective, emphasizing the brain-body connection and how physical health influences emotional well-being. This article will explore how non-invasive, evidence-based therapies—including myofascial therapy, sensory integration, vagus nerve stimulation, and nutrition—can help manage depression and improve overall quality of life.

Depression’s Roots in the Body

While depression is often linked to neurotransmitter imbalances, emerging research shows it also involves systemic and structural dysfunctions in the body. These include:

  1. Dysregulated Brain-Body Communication: The nervous system continuously sends signals between the brain and body. When this communication is impaired by chronic stress, poor posture, or physical tension, the brain struggles to maintain emotional balance.
  2. Autonomic Nervous System Imbalance: Depression is often associated with an overactive sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight mode) and underactive parasympathetic activity (rest-and-digest mode).
  3. Chronic Pain and Tension: Pain reinforces depressive states by altering the brain’s neuroplasticity and stress response. Physical restrictions in the fascia and musculature contribute to this cycle.
  4. Nutritional Deficiencies: A lack of key nutrients can impair brain function and neurotransmitter production, deepening depressive symptoms.

By addressing these interconnected issues, chiropractic neurology offers a comprehensive approach to managing depression.

Chiropractic Neurology and Depression

Chiropractic neurology focuses on optimizing brain and nervous system function through noninvasive, evidence-based methods. Below, we explore several key tools used to address depression.

  1. Myofascial Therapy: Releasing Physical Tension

Fascia, a connective tissue network surrounding muscles and organs, plays a critical role in physical and emotional health. When fascia becomes restricted, it can lead to chronic pain, poor posture, and nervous system dysfunction—all of which exacerbate depression.

How It Works:

  • Myofascial release involves hands-on techniques to reduce adhesions and improve mobility.
  • These techniques enhance blood flow and nervous system communication, promoting relaxation and reducing stress.

Research: Schleip et al. (2012) highlight the fascia’s role in emotional regulation, showing how its release can positively impact mood.

  1. Sensory Integration: Rewiring the Brain

Our senses—touch, movement, and balance—provide constant feedback to the brain. Disrupted sensory processing can contribute to depression by overloading or dulling the brain’s responses to the environment.

How It Works:

  • Sensory integration therapy uses specific exercises to recalibrate sensory pathways, improving brain function.
  • Examples include light vestibular exercises, tactile stimulation, and proprioceptive training, all of which can stabilize mood and enhance emotional resilience.

Clinical Example: A patient struggling with heightened anxiety alongside depression may benefit from gentle rocking exercises to stimulate the vestibular system, calming overactive neural circuits.

  1. Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Unlocking Emotional Resilience

The vagus nerve connects the brainstem to major organs, playing a pivotal role in stress regulation and mood. Low vagal tone—where the nerve isn’t functioning optimally—is commonly seen in people with depression.

How It Works:

  • Gentle techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing, fascial release around the neck, and humming exercises stimulate the vagus nerve.
  • These practices shift the nervous system from a stressed, fight-or-flight state to a calmer, restorative mode.

Evidence: Fischer et al. (2020) demonstrated that non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation improved depressive symptoms by enhancing parasympathetic activity.

  1. Neuromuscular Reeducation: Optimizing Posture and Movement

Body posture doesn’t just reflect emotional states; it also influences them. For instance, slumped shoulders and forward head posture are associated with feelings of fatigue and sadness.

Neuromuscular reeducation focuses on correcting these imbalances.

How It Works:

  • Specific exercises retrain the nervous system to adopt healthier movement patterns.
  • Techniques like posture correction and gait analysis reduce strain on the nervous system and encourage a more confident, upright stance.

The Science: Studies, including Nair et al. (2015), show that improving posture can significantly reduce depressive symptoms by altering brain-body feedback loops.

  1. Nutrition: Fueling the Brain and Body

While physical therapies address structural and functional imbalances, nutrition supports the biochemical foundation of mental health. Poor dietary habits can lead to inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, and impaired neurotransmitter production, all of which worsen depression.

Key Nutritional Factors for Depression:

  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fish, flaxseed, and walnuts, omega-3s support brain function and reduce inflammation. Low levels are linked to higher rates of depression.
  • B Vitamins (especially B6, B9, and B12): These vitamins are essential for producing serotonin and dopamine. Deficiencies can impair mood regulation.
  • Magnesium: Known as the “calming mineral,” magnesium supports relaxation and sleep. Foods like leafy greens, nuts, and seeds are rich sources.
  • Antioxidants: A diet high in fruits and vegetables helps combat oxidative stress, which contributes to depressive symptoms.

How Chiropractic Neurology Incorporates Nutrition:

Practitioners may recommend dietary changes or supplementation to address deficiencies. For example, incorporating a Mediterranean-style diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods has been shown to improve mood and reduce depression (Lassale et al., 2018).

A Holistic Solution

Depression is complex, but a holistic approach that considers the brain-body connection can open new doors for recovery. Chiropractic neurology offers non-invasive, evidence-based strategies that address the root causes of depressive symptoms.

By combining physical therapies like myofascial release, vagus nerve stimulation, and neuromuscular reeducation, individuals can find relief and regain a sense of balance and vitality.

If you or someone you love is suffering from depression and you would like to learn how chiropractic neurology can help, contact the team at Georgia Chiropractic Neurology Center today. We look forward to hearing from you.

References 

  1. Schleip, R., Müller, D. G., & Klingler, W. (2012). Active fascia: The fascial system as a new force in musculoskeletal dynamics and emotional regulation. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 16(1), 54-67.
  2. Fischer, R., Cleveland, B., & Norvell, N. (2020). Vagus nerve stimulation and emotional regulation: New frontiers in mood management. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 136, 110-121.
  3. Nair, S., Sagar, M., & Sollers, J. (2015). Effects of posture on emotional and physiological well-being. Journal of Body-Mind Therapy, 8(3), 12-18.
  4. Lassale, C., Batty, G. D., Baghdadli, A., et al. (2018). Healthy dietary indices and risk of depressive outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Molecular Psychiatry, 24, 965-986.