One of the greatest things about chiropractic is that while it may seem that we are dealing with the skeletal system, we are actually principally affecting the central nervous system. This is the master system that controls the function and movement of every other part of our body.

Let’s explore one of our frequently asked questions about how chiropractic can help our overall wellness, including our organs and other systems.

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Communication is Vital! The Nervous System and Phone Lines

After conception, every single organ system develops off the baby’s spinal cord. This sets the track and foundation for neurological function for each system for that child’s lifetime!

The brain sends info to the spinal cord, which sends the signal out to the organs. The organs send feedback through the spinal cord back to the brain.

That’s how our bodies regulate and adapt to changes in our internal AND external environment. When we can adapt optimally, we reach a balanced state called homeostasis, resulting in optimal function and health!

For example, our adrenal glands release the stress hormone cortisol. When there’s stress on the spine, signals are sent to the brain much like a phone company would get an alert if there was a tree limb down on the line. The brain then triggers the release of cortisol from the adrenals.

Ideally, we’d want to remove that tree limb or point of stress, right? Then the brain would get the message that cortisol wasn’t needed any longer.

We see the symptoms, the effect, but it’s important to get to the cause of those signals of dysfunction.

Our nerve roots branch out from the spinal cord to everywhere in the body. It’s fascinating to trace their source in the spine out to the various organs and systems.

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Chiropractic and the Nervous System

Now that we understand how important the nervous system is, let’s see how chiropractic affects it.

The central nervous system and spinal cord are directly related to the spine, which gives structure and protection to the cord.

When there’s trauma to the spine, the vertebrae may shift out of alignment, putting pressure on the surrounding tissues and nerves. This may reduce the nerves’ ability to function and send signals. We call this a subluxation.

The correlation between subluxation and dysfunction has been studied by researchers for many years.

• In 1968, Dr. G.D. Burchett found that 88% of patients with gallbladder disease had thoracic spine subluxations.
• A 2017 study in Chiropractic & Manual Therapies found that chiropractic improved heart rate variability and the patient’s parasympathetic nervous system response.
• A study in the December 2000 issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that abnormal spinal curvature was “a significant risk factor in the development of pelvic organ prolapse.”

You may be asking, “well, how do vertebrae even get misaligned? I’ve never had any injuries and I wasn’t born with scoliosis!”

Trauma may indeed be the result of a sudden injury like a car wreck, but they can also be more subtle like a forgotten fall in childhood or even interventions at birth. On top of that, microtraumas may result from actions and postural stress over time.

You may not have realized it, but the spine is a series of joints allowing us to move and be flexible. Misalignment and trauma cause dysfunction and lack of motion. Over time, this is harmful as joints were designed to move.

Our specific chiropractic adjustments identify where the vertebrae are misaligned, adjusting to restore motion where it was lost. This relieves the stress on the joint and surrounding tissues and nerves.

At Crystal Lake Family Wellness, Dr. Josh and Dr. Emily Young address the cause of your pain, not just the symptom. We believe that education is a big part of your success! Call (815) 788-7504 for an appointment or click here to schedule online.

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REFERENCES:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/5184539/ SEGMENTAL SPINAL OSTEOPHYTOSIS IN VISCERAL DISEASE. BURCHETT GD J OF THE AMERICAN OSTEOPATHIC ASSOCIATION 1968; 67(6): 675.
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5713473/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11120500/