Nervous System Chiropractic Care

 Understanding the Nervous System and Chiropractic Care

By Aaron Corley D.C.
Call: 941-539-3412

The human nervous system is responsible for controlling and coordinating every cell, tissue, and organ in the body. By understanding how it functions and how chiropractic care plays a crucial role in maintaining its health, individuals can achieve their maximum health potential.

The Nervous System: A Communication Network

The brain acts as the central computer, controlling and coordinating all bodily functions. The nervous system serves as a communication network, relaying messages between the brain and different parts of the body via the spinal cord. The spinal cord is a long bundle of nerve tissue extending from the lower part of the brain down through the spinal column. Along its path, smaller nerve branches extend from the spinal cord, exiting between each of the movable vertebrae. These branches divide into tiny nerve fibers that reach every cell, organ, and tissue in the body.

Each human has approximately 15 billion nerve cells responsible for sending and receiving messages through the spinal cord. Given the nervous system's delicate nature, it is protected by the spine, which consists of 24 movable vertebrae. These vertebrae work in conjunction with one another and are separated by discs that serve as shock absorbers while also creating space for nerve function.

The Importance of a Healthy Spine

A properly functioning spine is essential for protecting the spinal cord and nerve tissues while also allowing for free movement. When the spine loses its normal function or alignment, a condition known as vertebral subluxation complex (or simply subluxation) can occur. A subluxation is when two or more vertebrae lose their normal motion or position, leading to interruptions in nerve flow and communication between the brain and body.

Research conducted at the University of Colorado found that even a slight pressure of 8-10 mmHg on a nerve could reduce its function by up to 60%, equivalent to the weight of a small coin. This type of compression may exist without causing pain, leading to what is called a silent subluxation. Because pain is not always an indicator of nerve interference, significant loss of nerve function can occur without a person realizing it.

Consequences of Subluxations

Subluxations can significantly impact the body’s ability to function. Any disruption in nerve communication can alter the quality and quantity of signals sent between the brain and the rest of the body. This miscommunication can result in slowed, sped up, or distorted messages, potentially leading to inadequate nerve function at the tissue and cellular levels.

Furthermore, when a subluxation occurs, the affected area can begin degenerating in as little as two weeks. The resulting scar tissue continues to accumulate, worsening the degeneration process. This deterioration can persist for as long as the area remains immobilized. Importantly, spinal degeneration is not necessarily linked to age; a 60-year-old can have a perfectly healthy spine, while a 10-year-old may already show signs of spinal degeneration, depending on past spinal injuries and misalignments.

How Subluxations Affect the Body

Subluxations can interfere with the normal function of various bodily systems. The nervous system is responsible for connecting the brain to every organ, and subluxations in different parts of the spine can lead to specific health problems:

  • Cervical Spine (Neck): Nerves in this region control the immune system, pituitary gland, sinuses, face, ears, eyes, tonsils, teeth, and muscles in the neck and shoulders. Subluxations here can contribute to headaches, migraines, sinus issues, hearing loss, sleep disorders, and eczema.
  • Thoracic Spine (Mid-back): These nerves affect the arms, hands, heart, lungs, gallbladder, liver, stomach, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and intestines. Symptoms may include asthma, heart problems, bronchitis, blood pressure irregularities, indigestion, and allergies.
  • Lumbar Spine (Lower back): This area supplies nerves to the lower intestines, bladder, reproductive organs, and legs. Dysfunction can lead to constipation, menstrual irregularities, bedwetting, sciatica, back pain, and poor circulation.

Recognizing Symptoms and the Role of Chiropractic Care

Symptoms are the body's way of signaling that something is wrong. However, only about 10% of the nervous system perceives pain, meaning that by the time symptoms appear, subluxations may have existed for months or even years. This explains why conditions such as heart disease and strokes often progress unnoticed until a severe crisis occurs.

Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs can mask symptoms but do not address the root cause. Relying on medication allows underlying conditions to worsen silently, potentially leading to a major health crisis. Additionally, long-term drug use can cause harmful side effects, further compromising health.

Common Causes of Subluxations

Subluxations can result from a variety of physical, chemical, and emotional stressors, including:

  • Physical stress: Poor posture, improper lifting, repetitive motions, falls, accidents, or even childbirth can misalign the spine.
  • Chemical stress: Processed foods, food additives, pollution, and medications can contribute to nervous system imbalances.
  • Emotional stress: Anxiety, depression, and excessive mental strain can cause muscular tension, leading to spinal misalignments.

One study found that 95% of infants who experienced doctor-assisted deliveries (forceps, suction, or excessive force) had upper neck injuries, highlighting the importance of early chiropractic evaluations for children.

The Role of Chiropractic Care

Chiropractors specialize in detecting and correcting spinal misalignments to restore proper nerve function. Rather than treating symptoms, chiropractic care focuses on removing nerve interference so that the body can heal itself naturally. When a person sustains an injury, such as a cut or broken bone, the body has the innate ability to heal. Similarly, chiropractic adjustments facilitate the healing process by restoring optimal nerve communication between the brain and body.

By maintaining proper spinal alignment and mobility, chiropractors help prevent spinal degeneration and enhance overall health. When the nervous system is functioning at its best, individuals experience better immune function, improved mobility, and a higher quality of life.

Conclusion

The nervous system is the master control center of the body, and its proper function is essential for overall health. Subluxations, or spinal misalignments, can interfere with nerve communication, leading to numerous health issues. Unfortunately, many of these issues can exist without noticeable pain, making routine spinal check-ups crucial.

Chiropractic care helps to correct these misalignments, restore nerve function, and support the body's natural ability to heal. Instead of relying on medications to mask symptoms, chiropractic adjustments address the underlying cause of health concerns, enabling individuals to achieve their maximum health potential. By prioritizing spinal health through chiropractic care, people can prevent degenerative changes and maintain optimal function throughout their lives.

Call Aaron Corley, D.C. at 941-539-3412 today to schedule your appointment and start your journey to better health.

#draaroncorley #chiropracticcare #spinalhealth #nervoussystem #painrelief #neckpain #backpain #holistichealth



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