Why I do what I do
The major focus of chiropractors around the world, and I’m no different, is to evaluate the spine for normal movement and alignment. If any misalignments or lack of movement within the spine are detected we apply a gentle force, or an adjustment, to the affected area to restore alignment and movement.
Sounds pretty simple, right? But why do we do that?
The answer lies in the fact that your spine is intimately connected to two very important systems in the body.
Firstly, there is the Musculoskeletal System, which is the system that consists of all the bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, muscles and which gives you your posture and structure, as well as your ability to move.
Secondly, the spine is massively connected to your Nervous System, which consists of the brain and spinal cord as well as the nerves that go to all the organs as well as down the arms and legs. This system is your body’s vast communication network that allows your brain to talk to your body and vice versa.
In fact you could probably call the spine a neuro-mechanical organ!
The analogy, or story, that I like to use is that your spine is like the axle of a car. When the axle is out of alignment then there will uneven wear and tear on the wheels leading to a quicker deterioration of the tyres and heavier fuel consumption, the car will vibrate and veer off to one side when it’s at speed creating more fatigue on driver as he/she has to use more energy to keep her straight. Not a good situation!
But if it’s in alignment then the car operates like it’s meant to. Like a well-oiled machine – longer lasting, more efficient, less wear and tear and less expensive.
No different with the spine!
If the spine is in alignment then you’ll have an even wear and tear on the joints so the likelihood of arthritis is reduced. In addition, when you’re stressed, like the car at high speed, you’re more likely to handle the effects of stress better with less energy expenditure and less of an overall cost.
If there is proper movement of all the joints you’ll have good mobility, flexibility and athletic performance is hugely improved. When your spinal joints move freely without restriction, pain eases or vanishes.
But the next point is probably the most important point about chiropractic and about you and your health that you’ll ever read.
Not only is your spine connected to how well you move physically but how well you physically move is also connected to how well your brain and nervous system work, too! In other words the better your spine moves the better your brain functions.
Why is that important?
Although this is a very over simplified overall explanation I’d you to think of your brain as a computer. It can have all the fancy soft ware systems but if the input is incorrect the output will be faulty. Neuroscience is now reporting that fluid movement, free of compensatory movement patterns, especially of the spine, is probably the most important nutrient or stimulus that the brain can receive.
“90% of the stimulation and nutrition to the brain is generated by the movement of the spine – Roger Sperry, 1981 Noble Laureate for Medicine.“
Restricted movement results in an increase in the stress response and the stress response is hugely connected to many of the lifestyle related illnesses we see in the world today.
If your brain and nervous system are functioning well and receiving the correct input your body is much more likely to be self regulating and staying in balance or what’s called homeostasis. When your body is in homeostasis you’re much likelier to be healthier!
So the chiropractic adjustment allows for a properly functioning, moving and aligned spine which is critical to enabling your body to move efficiently with less pain but it also keeps the brain, nervous system and spine linked together so the brain gets the greatest stimulation possible so that you can be healthier.
And that’s why we are so concerned with how your spine moves and is aligned!
The human nervous system is designed for the infinite expression of human experience, function and performance.