We will all feel sad or blue at some point, whether from the death of a family member or the loss of a job; however, these feelings are often temporary and will go away on their own; however, for someone with clinical depression, the symptoms of worthlessness, hopelessness and intense sadness do not go away. If these symptoms last more than two weeks and affect your life it’s time to see a psychologist or 
doctor.
The most common types of depression include:
- Major depression
- Persistent depression (also referred to as dysthymia)
- Bipolar depression (also referred to as manic depression)
- Depressive psychosis
- Perinatal depression/postpartum depression
- Seasonal depression, or seasonal affective disorder
Even though clinical depression is a mental health disorder it is also linked to chronic health conditions. For example, those dealing with severe and chronic pain disorders like back pain, arthritis or fibromyalgia may also deal with depression due to their condition and how it impacts their quality of life. Whether your depression coincides with a chronic health problem or not, an osteopath may be able to help you feel better.
An osteopath is a medical doctor who provides holistic care to treat a wide range of conditions. While most people associate osteopaths with treating physical conditions, this alternative medicine doctor can also provide care and relief to those battling depression, anxiety and even insomnia.
An osteopath provides drug-free alternative treatment options including:
- Manipulative and manual therapy
- Lifestyle adjustments and modifications
- Dietary and nutritional counseling
An osteopath can also recommend nutritionists, dietitians, counselors, and psychologists that can also provide you with additional support and care to help you manage your depression.
Treating Depression with Osteopathic Medicine
Most people don’t realize that depression can also manifest itself in physiological ways as well, causing headaches, poor posture, and tense, aching muscles. Yes, your depression may also be responsible for your unexplained aches and pains.
An osteopath fully understands how mental health disorders impact the musculoskeletal system and can provide simple, side effect-free manipulative techniques that aim to target and treat these aches, pains, and tension.
Furthermore, by releasing tension and improving how the muscles, joints, ligaments and other soft tissue of the body function as a whole an osteopath can also reduce depressive symptoms that are associated with certain chronic conditions that may be impacting your musculoskeletal health.
Along with manipulative treatment, an osteopath can also look into your diet and lifestyle to determine if there are additional changes that need to be made to your daily routine to reduce stress and improve your symptoms of depression. If you are dealing with insomnia or sleep problems due to depression, regular osteopathic manipulative treatment can also improve your sleep.
If you are interested in learning more about osteopathic medicine and how it could help you better manage your depression than call your osteopath today to schedule a consultation.