September 2024 Newsletter

And talking of sun… want better sleep and a better mood? Get some sun!

What is more natural than sunlight? When the sun is out, go outside… go for a walk (especially with friends). Numerous studies show that sunlight is good for your natural circadian rhythm, so you’ll feel sleepier at night and feel more awake during the day.

All energy on earth (except for volcanoes and new deep sea sources) is from the sun. All life on the surface of our planet depends on sunlight. A new study has found that getting enough natural sunlight each day could help reduce insomnia and improve mood. This study was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders and involved over 400,000 people.

The coauthor Sean Cain writes: “In this study, we observed that the greater time spent in outdoor light during the day was associated with fewer depressive symptoms, lower odds of using antidepressant medication, better sleep, and fewer symptoms of insomnia.”

Greater time in outdoor light was also associated with lowered odds of lifetime major depressive disorder, and better outcomes across a range of mood and sleep measures.

Additionally, too much light at night throws off your circadian (day-night) rhythm. So put a stop to staring at artificial screens late at night. (1)

p.s. this includes your phone….

p.p.s. yeah yeah, we know!!!

Case Study of the Month

A four-month-old baby boy diagnosed by a pediatrician with failure to thrive was brought in for care. The child cried approximately 90% of the time unless continuously bounced, and never slept at night, only taking short naps during the day. The symptoms began two weeks after birth. The child had been to multiple specialists, two other chiropractors, and was scheduled for a cystic fibrosis test the following week. Other symptoms included inadequate weight gain and severe allergies.

Trauma to the upper neck joint is believed to be the cause of the KISS syndrome (kinematic imbalance due to suboccipital strain). After his first atlas (upper neck) chiropractic treatment the mother reported the child was much less fussy, and slept all night, only waking to feed

Over 3 ½ months of care, the child’s atlas was adjusted six times. Excessive crying and allergies and other symptoms resolved, the child began to gain weight, and within six weeks his neck and spine became symmetrical. (2)

References

1. Burns AC, Saxena R, Vetter C et. al. Time spent in outdoor light is associated with mood, sleep, and circadian rhythm – related outcomes.  A cross-sectional and longitudinal study in over 400,000 UK biobank participants. Journal of Affective Disorders. Vo. 295, 1 December 2021, Pages 347-352

2. Mosley MA, Shideler JJ. Resolution of Failure to Thrive and Kinematic Imbalance due to Suboccipital Strain (KISS) Symptomatology in an Infant Following Chiropractic Care to Reduce Vertebral Subluxation: A Case Report. Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research ~ Volume 2021 ~ November 22 ~ Pages 43-46

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