This is why there is no alternative to chiropractic care. It's the only thing that goes right to the source of your life, your "fuse box". This is, in fact, where you live-inside this intricate system of energy. Brain to body-body back to brain, all day, every day!
The brain is the master control system for the entire body. It sends and receives a complicated frequency of signals with the body that dictate the function of the body. When there is interference in this neurological feedback loop, it alters the environment the brain perceives itself to be in; this consequently changes the adaptation process the brain orchestrates throughout the body. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to enhance the sensorimotor integration of the brain with the body.
Many experts have hypothesized that increased stress cycles in the body produce the environment for dis-ease (lack of ease or full-function) and eventually disease (symptoms or illness) within the body. Stress can come from a variety of sources in the mental/emotional form, chemical form, and physical realm. When the body is under increased stress it responds by increasing its sympathetic tone. This means the body shunts itself into "fight or flight" survival based mode by altering cardiovascular & endocrine function to get itself ready for dynamic activity.
Increased sympathetic tone causes a release of stress hormones such as adrenalin, epinephrine, and cortisol. This is the same response we get when we are anxious or exercising. This is okay if it is for a short period of time; however, when the stress lasts longer than expected it exhausts the body and causes a state of dis-ease to manifest. Subluxated/unadjusted persons are typically under a chronic sympathetic overload. This is even the case in many babies...often the physical stresses of the birthing process (twisting, pulling, etc) lead to upper cervical subluxations and stress to the sympathetic nervous system. How many colic/fussy babies do you know?
When the brain sends information to the organs, muscles, and tissues of the body, this is called efferent neurological flow. In return, the afferent flow of information includes all the messages sent to the brain from skin, muscle, joint, and organ receptors. This afferent/efferent neurological loop is how the body is able to respond and adapt appropriately to its environment.
The brain tells the body what to do.
The body tells the brain what it needs.
This is a Normal Cycle (24/7; all day, every day).
When a Subluxation is present there is a Disconnect (an interference to the cycle)
Do NOT wait until you "feel" disconnected!
*Get Adjusted
*Get Clear
*Get Connected
The ramifications of increased stress hormones in the body include overworked adrenal glands, lowered immunity, decreased digestive functions, fatigue, & blood pressure disturbances. Increased cortisol levels also cause ligament laxity by stripping critical proteins from the tendon and ligament structures. This causes joint weakness throughout the body, including the spine and extremities, making them much more susceptible to injury.
Subluxation is a term used to describe mechanical compression and irritation to spinal joints and nerves. Subluxation scrambles the neurological feedback loop by causing altered rhythms of neurological flow. Subluxations are caused by trauma, poor posture, or increased chemical and emotional stresses.
Subluxations are a physical stress on the body and therefore increase the sympathetic tone, so the body shunts its energy toward the fight or flight system. If the subluxation(s) are not corrected they continue to produce this increased stress response. This increases cortisol and causes greater joint & ligament laxity in the spine and extremities making them more susceptible to injury. Additionally, increased long-term stress on the body greatly accelerates the degenerative processes of the spine and joints leading to osteoarthritis.
Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to normalize spinal afferent/efferent processes to their proper resting tone. This is like hitting the reset button on the computer when it is malfunctioning. The computer is allowed to pause and reprocess itself. Chiropractic adjustments stop the stress response and restore normal hormonal and cardiovascular function to the body. This allows the body to reset itself and begin healing the damage that was done in the body due to chronic stress cycles.
Research performed by Taylor and Murphy demonstrated that chiropractic adjustments enhanced sensorimotor integration, the body's ability to sense where it is in space and effectively coordinate complex movement patterns. This improves function in both the brain and the body. Improved spatial intelligence translates into better physical and mental balance, coordination, and mobility. Chiropractic adjustments make you think and move with better speed, skill, and finesse.
Toxins and the Nervous System
Toxins pose a significant threat to the nervous system. Some of the toxins/chemical stressors we're exposed to frequently include:
- Drugs
- Alcohol
- Chemical solvents
- Pesticides & herbicides
- Excessive caffeine
- Refined sugar
- White flour
- Hydrogenated oils
How Stress and Anxiety Affects the Brain
- Stress response is healthy and normal - too much is hurtful
- Sympathetic nerves are activated (wind-up)
- Parasympathetic are inhibited (relax)
- Blood shifted from digestive organs to muscles
Consequences of Long-term Stress
- Most dangers aren't physical, but feel like a threat to our survival
- Continuous activation of the stress response can lead to "burn out"
- Many people live with emotional and nervous exhaustion
5 Helpful Ways to Manage Our Stress
- Stop and Take a Deep breath -- Fastest way to activate the parasympathetic nervous system. This can restores calm and clear thinking. Breathing slow and deep counteracts the effects of stress
- Get Adjusted! (Duh.)
- B-Vitamins Help You Be Calm -- B-vitamins are vital for the nervous system. When depleted, refined carbohydrates increase anxiety and nervousness. Look to whole grains and take a good anti-stress vitamin and mineral supplement like our Nutri-Calm B-Complex we stock here at the office.
- Get Physical and Active -- Stress hormones prime the body for action. Even taking a walk when stressed clears your head.
- Pamper Yourself -- Pleasurable experience does more good for the body than a stressful one does harm. Pleasure enhances health, energy, and emotional well being. Get a massage, engage in a hobby or activity. Take a relaxing bath, listen to beautiful music, and surround yourself with people and things you love.
At the very minimum, eat right and stay fit...
A fast-paced world requires us to stay mentally sharp. But the average American diet is doing all it can to keep our brain synapses from firing on all cylinders.
While life demands more and more from your brain, the food you eat may be giving you a lot of calories without the nutrients you need to meet those demands.
Fortunately, it isn't hard to find the nutrient-dense foods your brain is craving. So, next time you're at the grocery store, pass up the processed, sugary items for some of these brain-healthy (and delicious) alternatives:
In general, you want foods that provide 4 things:
- Omega-3s
- Antioxidants
- Anti-inflammation
- Blood circulation
Exercise might be as crucial for your brain as diet is. In fact, studies show a lack of exercise doesn't just affect the body. It also has significant affects on growing brain cells. Mice that ran 3 miles each night doubled their hippocampus size over time.
- In elementary kids, 40 minutes of daily exercise caused an average IQ increase of 3.8 points.
- The fittest students scored 30% higher on tests than average students (less-fit students scored 20% lower)
- Those who regularly play sports show a 20% improvement in math, science, English and social studies
- Fit 18 year olds were more likely to go onto higher education
- Students who worked out before class improved test scores 17% on average
- Employees who exercise regularly are 15% more efficient
Dr. David Mason
Be fit. Eat right. Think well. Get adjusted.
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have recieved from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.