Chiropractic: treatment options for depression

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33170171/

Neurobiological basis of chiropractic manipulative treatment of the spine in the care of major depression

Aysha Karim Kiani ¹, Paolo Enrico Maltese ², Astrit Dautaj ³, Stefano Paolacci ⁴, Danjela Kurti ⁵, Pietro Maria Picotti ⁶, Matteo Bertelli ⁷

Affiliations Expand

• PMID: 33170171

• PMCID: PMC8023121

• DOI: 10.23750/abm.v91i13-S.10536

Abstract

Background and aim: Major depressive disorder is associated with an autonomic nervous system imbalance. All the symptoms of depression (high cortisol, high adrenaline, insomnia, agitation, anxiety) can probably be attributed to over-activation of the sympathetic nervous system. We performed this review in order to highlight the possible links between chiropractic intervention, its potential molecular effects, and its possible outcomes on patients with depression.

Methods: We performed a literature search for all the relevant manuscripts regarding the effects of chiropractic and depression on the autonomic nervous system.

Results: Chiropractic care and spinal manipulation regulate the autonomic nervous system at the peripheral level and its projections to the central nervous system. In particular, they may activate the parasympathetic system to counterbalance the activity of the sympathetic system. Vagal parasympathetic stimulation is also considered an effective therapy for major depression as it releases neurotrophins essential for anti-depressive therapies, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor.

Conclusion: Chiropractic and spinal manipulative therapies, along with vagal nerve (the tenth cranial nerve) stimulation, may therefore be regarded as treatment options for depression.

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Conflict of interest statement

Each author declares that he or she has no commercial associations (e.g., consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangement, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article

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