Clinical Features:  A 28-year-old male presented with an eleven-year history of depressive symptoms including: loss of interest in pleasure in almost all activities, a lack of reactivity to usually pleasurable stimuli, and significant weight loss.  The patient was diagnosed with MDD at the age of twenty and subsequently treated medically through the use of multiple anti-psychotic medications and multiple rounds of Electroconvulsive Therapy.

Intervention and Outcomes: The patient was treated over a period of one year and three months at a rate of 2-3 visits per week utilizing a combination of chiropractic techniques including Activator instrument as well as high velocity, low amplitude (HVLA) spinal adjustments, most consistent with Diversified Technique.  Adjustments were constantly varied in relation to patient positioning (prone, supine, seated, and standing) to promote a variety of cortical stimulations.

The patient was also adjusted utilizing hemisphere specific intervention designed to improve hemispheric coordination and sensory integration. Additional optokinetic home exercises were given as an adjunct to care. The patient reported a complete resolution of all depressive symptoms, termination of all related medications, and cessation of smoking while under chiropractic care.

Conclusions:  We presented a case of a patient with MDD utilizing hemisphericity based chiropractic and rehabilitation which resulted in marked resolution of the patient’s depressive symptoms over the course of one year and three months.

Keywords: Major Depressive Disorder, chiropractic, spinal manipulation,  chiropractic adjustment, hemisphericity, polypharmacy, dysafferentation

Source:  Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research ~ February 13, 2012 ~ Pages 18-24