“Let there be light!”

Those are some recognizable words! They are as important today as they were back when they were first uttered. Today light may be a key to managing depression and growing positive outcomes of care for Georgetown back pain sufferers seeking help from back pain specialists like Dr. Butwell’s.

A serious sign for effects of care – be that medical care or chiropractic care or other type - for low back pain is depression. Depression is an extra layer to peel away when back pain is involved. Chiropractors like your well-trained Georgetown chiropractor at Dr. Butwell are on the lookout for signs of depression in their patients because it does play a role in how a patient responds to chiropractic care. And your Georgetown chiropractor knows well how depression can raise its head: living with pain day in and day out hurts more than just the physical body. The mind must contend with it, too. There is hope and a variety of approaches to dealing with Georgetown depression. Light therapy is one that may be just up your alley.

First, how can a chiropractor like yours at Dr. Butwell check if depression is an issue in your back pain recovery journey? Check a few simple things like how intense your low back pain is and how much it limits your daily activities. (1) Your Georgetown chiropractic physician is up to the task!

Now if depression is noted, how do back pain and depression interact? Well, having back pain for an extended period of time is disruptive to your lifestyle. It keeps you from doing and focusing wholeheartedly on what you want and what you must do. Chronic pain is defined as having pain for over 3 months. When it goes on this long, pain is often in the forefront of the mind and constantly seeks attention. With help nearby in Georgetown, back pain patients don’t need to suffer. Dr. Butwell offers help via procedures to reduce the cause of back pain which in turn may well help reduce depression. Plus Dr. Butwell may share some cutting edge treatments like light therapy that are newly research documented as being effective. It may be an additional modality that Georgetown back pain sufferers may want to consider.

So how much does light therapy seem to help relieve or alleviate the depression? A new study shows that pain intensity and depression scores positively changed the most with light therapy (bright or low dose). (2)  That’s hopeful! Take advantage of the sunny days in Georgetown.

What else could be considered a way to deal with depression? A visit to your Georgetown chiropractor! On those cloudy, sad days, seeing your Georgetown chiropractor for some hands-on care (Our Cox Technic spinal manipulation is soothing and gentle and relieving!), for some nutritional suggestions like Vitamin D supplements, and for some listening just may be the ticket to boost you toward healthier mind and body. Dr. Butwell listens and cares about our Georgetown back pain patients.

So contact Dr. Butwell when your back hurts and you find that depression is keeping you down. Dr. Butwell is here to help.