Depression & Bipolar Disorder

The two key symptoms of depression are a depressed mood and loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed. Besides these two key symptoms, a few other depression symptoms include restlessness and irritability, thoughts of death or suicide, and feelings of hopelessness and pessimism. It is important to keep in mind that people suffering from depression cannot simply "pull themselves together." Symptoms of depression can last for weeks, months, or years.

In certain cases, patients can alternate between periods of depression and mania, also known as bipolar disorder or manic depression. Depression (and the fluctuation between depression and mania) is thought to be caused by alterations in serotonin levels in the brain.
How Chiropractic Care Relates to Depression & Bipolar Disorder

While medical science has not determined the exact cause of altered serotonin levels that are suspected to produce depression and bipolar disorder, recent research has pointed towards a likely trauma-induced origin for certain cases of mood disorders. Evidence supports that trauma (in particular mild concussive injury to the head, neck or upper back) increases the risk of onset of depression. Following the trauma, mood disorders can be triggered immediately or can take months or years to develop.

Chiropractic care may reverse the trauma-induced injury; thereby reducing irritation to the injured nerves in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

Numerous research studies have documented improvement in depression and related symptoms as a result of chiropractic adjustments which reduce pressure on the brain stem and spinal cord caused by misaligned vertebrae.

source: yourspine.com