Just a few tips to make life easier.\u00a0 Motion helps over ride pain.\u00a0 The spine has a huge amount of motion receptors in every joint surface and when they are not being activated because of vertebrae that aren’t moving it is easy to see how PAIN become pervasive.\u00a0 Get checked out and get moving.\u00a0 They turn around can be amazing!<\/p>\n
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We have a few tips to help you cope.<\/p>\n
As the hours of daylight grow shorter in the winter, some people experience a dip in their mood that can range from mild to severe. Researchers are still trying to figure out exactly what causes this, but most agree that the change in the hours of sunlight affects people’s biological clocks, serotonin levels, and melatonin levels, which can all lead to depression. If you feel you are suffering from seasonal affective disorder, contact your physician right away, and start to make a few lifestyle changes:<\/p>\n
Living in the Midwest, I know firsthand how easy it can be to simply curl up in a pile of blankets and stay in bed to keep warm during the winter. Unfortunately, inactivity is not good for chronic pain, and it can take a toll on your mind, making you feel lethargic and leaving you too much time to think about your pain.<\/p>\n
Exercise can actually do wonders for pain by nourishing and repairing spinal structures, keeping the anatomy healthy, flexible and strong, and stimulating the body\u2019s natural healing processes. Whether it\u2019s doing some simple stretching or aerobic exercises every day or even getting out of the house and going to a local community center to swim, activity can at least make the patient feel as if he or she has some control over their pain.<\/p>\n
You also may not know that exercise benefits the vagus nerve, which has been recognized as an important pathway for depression. The only nerve to begin in the brainstem, the vagus nerve extends through the neck and into the abdomen. With stimulation, the vagus nerve is more likely to function correctly, minimizing depression.<\/p>\n
For more information, see Exercise and Back Pain<\/a>.<\/li>\n The human mind can sometimes be your worst enemy, especially when bottling up how you\u2019re feeling both physically and mentally. Consider joining a community who knows how you\u2019re feeling, such as the dedicated Spine-health Depression forum<\/a>, and speak with members who have first-hand experience with depression stemming from chronic pain.<\/p>\n Simply letting others know that you\u2019re having a bad day and then hearing them say how they understand what you\u2019re going through can be therapeutic. Talking with others who are dealing with the same pain can be a great way to learn about how they cope when feeling a bit down as a result of their symptoms (learn more about joining the Spine-health forums<\/a>).<\/p>\n If you are really depressed, see a family doctor, psychiatrist or a mental health professional, who can explore your depression in greater detail and may prescribe antidepressants if necessary.<\/p>\n