Chiropractic

Chiropractors correct the alignment of the spine through gentle, specific joint movements- called adjustments . These corrections provide structural alignment to the spine and associated structures (e.g. pelvis and legs). This allows for an optimally efficient body- both mechanically and biologically,  as we respond to the ever changing environment around us. If health is defined as “ the body’s ability to respond and adapt  to the environment around us, and not merely the absence of symptoms”...then an optimally functioning body and Nervous system is essential to good health.

The Nervous system consists of the brain, spine and the smaller spinal nerves that exit the spinal cord at the level of the spinal facet joints at each vertebral junction. Spinal Nerves carry electrical  impulses directly from the spinal cord out into the body. This allows a direct neural pathway between the brain and the body interface. Through electrical impulses, the brain and body communicate continuously to provide a homeostatic adaptation to the body’s needs. It is this essential integrative “circuitry” that allows us to be healthy, have a rapidly responding immune system, repair damaged tissue, and maintain organ function.

In order to carry the electrical signals from the spine out into the body, the spinal nerve needs to exit small fatty filled holes called  foramina. Slight joint misalignments, imbalanced muscle tensions and bony age changes can individually or collectively  lead to narrowing of these exits.

Acting together, these changes lead to compression of the spinal nerves. This in turn  affects anything on the other side of the nerve. In most cases, it first affects what we feel… i.e. muscles, ligaments and joints. These things  produce pain and spasm. This is in part due to the nerve compression, but also in large part due to the body’s own natural protective response.

Nerves are incredibly important structures, providing a direct link between brain and body. Without them, simply put, you woud die. So the body will always protect them at all cost. If that cost is pain and spasm, so as to prevent you from using that part, the body is simple in a survival mode. Long term pressure may later begin to  affect things we don’t typically feel e.g. ie our organs and glands. This change in nerve innervation may lead to a sense of dis-ease of those end organs. This will compromise function, which in turn affects overall health and performance.