Our brain is the command center for everything that happens in the body. It receives information 24/7 from all areas of the body. Every muscle, organ, cell in the body has the ability to communicate with the brain and vice versa via the nervous system. Having the ability to touch our nose with our eyes closed, walking in a straight line, or jumping and landing on one foot, all relate to the nervous system. These actions can take place because in every muscle, joint and tendon there are thousands of receptors that communicate to our brain about where our body is and what is moving. These special receptors give our brain proprioceptive input (sensory information) to allow us to move, walk, jump, and run while maintaining perfect balance and coordination. The same proprioceptive input often referred by chiropractor’s as mechanoreception gives the brain information about the spine and how freely its functioning in a pain free manner. The point of this scientific talk is to point out that Chiropractic is affecting input to the brain. The Chiropractic adjustment is not about the “pop” or “crack” it’s about the movement or stimulation of key receptors that are located in the joint space of every joint. When your neck, for example, is not moving because you slept awkward those mechanoreceptors are not functioning. Therefore other receptors turn on creating pain, muscle spasm, and even sympathetic vasoconstriction to organs (creates lack of oxygen to organs). You are correct this is BAD! For instance, those muscle knots in your neck and back hurt due to lack of oxygen to the muscle and inability to circulate waste products out. The more efficient we are with this the better we will feel and function.
So what happens if you don’t go to a Chiropractor?
This may be different depending on several issues. How well do you handle and process stress in your life, diet, exercise, posture, amount of water you drink, or amount of other things you drink like coffee and soda. The point I’m trying to make is not whether or not you are going to be worse off than someone who goes to a Chiropractor. Well maybe? But more because of the research we see that Chiropractic is much more than pain relief. By understanding pain and how the brain perceives pain, we have learned so much more about the Chiropractic adjustment. A study presented at the International Research and Philosophy Symposium finds that Chiropractic adjustments have a positive effect on the Central Nervous System (Brain and Spinal Cord), specifically on the four primary frequencies of brain function. The study was conducted over a three-year period with over 100 volunteers. Using an electroencephalogram (EEG – measures brain wave activity) before and after Chiropractic adjustments the EEG scans were examined to check right/left balance, the amount of total activity, and the effect of the adjustment. In conclusion, after receiving Chiropractic adjustments, post EEG scans revealed improvement in all areas of the volunteer’s brain function. Particularly, the researchers noticed an increase in the meditative Alpha brainwave patterns that are associated with a greater degree of relaxation, health and healing. So by receiving proper Chiropractic care you are not only fixing back problems but also allowing the brain to work in a way that promotes overall health and healing! Research has allowed Chiropractic to substantiate what Chiropractor’s have known for 125 years. The adjustment can provide a state in which the body can heal itself!!!
