01 Nov 6 Ways to Conquer Seasonal Affective Disorder without Pharmaceuticals
Seasonal Affective Disorder (also called SAD) is a type of depression that reacts to the seasons. The most common form of SAD is called winter depression. It usually begins in late fall or early winter and dissipates by summer. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a real thing and can make winter seem very long and dark for those that suffer from it. While the exact causes of Seasonal Affective Disorder are still not precisely defined, researchers agree that brain chemicals, genetics, ions in the air and your circadian rhythm are all involved. Most sufferers of this particular form of depression all share a sensitivity to the lack of light. Learn how you can combat Seasonal Affective Disorder without turning to pharmaceuticals. Our Mile High Spine and Pain Center will help you combat your symptoms and restore your vitality, naturally.
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
The Mayo Clinic defines Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) as a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons. Most symptoms of SAD begin in the fall and continue through the winter. Seasonal Affective Disorder is not a trite condition to be ignored because of the power of the symptoms and how they disrupt your life. Stress, depression, fatigue, and mood swings are some of the common associated SAD symptoms. When left untreated, these challenging symptoms can turn a usually sunny person into someone else entirely.
Stress and Your Spine
Stress from Seasonal Affective Disorder has real emotional effects on your body and mind, but it also has real effects on you physically. Stress causes bodily tension in areas that are not used to it. Tight muscles cause abnormal pressures and counter pressures on your body and spine that result in vertebral subluxations. Spinal subluxations, or misalignments, trigger a series of events in your body that can exacerbate your SAD symptoms. Subluxations cause interference to the nervous system along the spine where your nerves exit. When your nervous system is compromised from misaligned spinal structures, it triggers problems with your nervous system which can affect every system of your body.
Natural Treatment Offerings for Seasonal Affective Disorder
The common approach for treating Seasonal Affective Disorder is to turn to pharmaceuticals and anti-depressants. Our clinic feels there is a better way; a more natural way to deal with the very real effects of this disorder. Here are some of the natural, holistic methods that Mile High Spine and Pain Center offers our Broomfield-area residents:
- Spinal Alignment/Adjustments
- Massage Therapy
- Exercise/Vibration Therapy
- Trigger Point Therapy
- Stress Reduction Counseling
- Supplements (Vitamin D-3, Melatonin, Omega-3 Fatty Acids)
The above treatments can be offered by themselves, or in a combination approach, to help you conquer your SAD symptoms more quickly and effectively. During your consultation with us, we will discuss with you what treatment we recommend for your disorder for your lifestyle and goals.
The Power of Sunlight
Never underestimate the power of the sun to aid you with natural treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder as well. Sunlight is necessary for regulating your hormones, helping you absorb calcium, for maintaining bone health and greatly impacts your circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle). Winter months can make adequate sun exposure more difficult so make sure and get it when you can!
Call for a Seasonal Affective Disorder Consultation
When you are suffering from a condition that tells you–daily–that you can’t, you need a team of people that are there to tell you that you CAN! Our friendly, expert staff at Mile High Spine & Pain Center are those people. We will help you through your Seasonal Affective Disorder symptoms and to the other side where light, energy and wellness reside. Our clinic provides you with all the advantages of integrated physical medicine so you can benefit from a multidisciplinary approach for your treatment needs. Choose today to become a patient of a clinic that will offer you more precise, customized, targeted care all under one roof. Our clinic provides patients in the Westminster and Broomfield area with a wide range of services in one convenient, comfortable office. Contact us to schedule an appointment with our spine, nerve, and physical medicine specialists today. Call (720) 507-0080 today to schedule your free consultation!