Does Chiropractic Effect Mental Attitude?
It is no stretch of the imagination to observe physical manifestations of our emotions. Who has ever clenched their jaw in anger, tightened their shoulders in fear or hung their head in grief? The body is often the canvas on which the mind paints. But the inverse is true as well. While not as forthright as the brain's effect on the body, the body's effect on the brain can be just as detrimental.
No ailment is sequestered to the mind or the body. Yes, there are conditions that prevail within the mind or body. But, whether classified as Psychosomatic or Somatopsychic, one will always effect the other. How is this so?
This is possible because the Nerve System is involved in both physical and mental ailments. Nerves are the common denominator. The Nerve System is foundational to all functions of the human organism, both mental thoughts and bodily actions. It is the “master” system because it controls every movement we make, senses everything we feel, regulates all body organs and relates us to the outside world. The Nerve System connects to every organ, gland and tissue to guide their function.
If there is an impairment or interference with function, we have dysfunction. Since the Nerve System is tasked with controlling all functions, it is at the center of all dysfunctions as well.
Nerve dysfunction is a precursor to disease. Disease then is an effect of nerve dysfunction, not the other way around. And no matter the function or dysfunction: the Nerve system is involved. Quoting medical scientist Dr. Alexei D. Speransky from his groundbreaking work, A Basis for the Theory of Medicine:
“Gradually two basic facts were established. The first is that many pathological processes, the cause of which has been regarded as absolutely foreign to nervous influences, have been found to be in reality entirely dependent on the latter for their origin. The second thesis concerns all the processes not belonging to the first group. To whatever chapter of pathology they belong, however complicated their composition and however variable their course, the nervous component remains from beginning to end the factor that determines their general state.”
The general state of health and disease, both mental and physical, involves the Nerve System. And not only that, the general state of health and disease (no matter what kind) is predicated on how well the Nerve System functions. These established principles are why Chiropractic focuses on the upper cervical spine.
The upper cervical spine houses and protects the lower section of the brainstem and the upper portion of the spinal cord. The spinal cord and brainstem along with the brain, make up the Central Nerve System.
The Central Nerve System is the headquarters or ‘seat’ of nerve operation. The brain is the ‘seat of the mind’ and the spinal cord is the ‘seat of the body.’ The link between the two is the brainstem.
A circuit of nerve tracts between the brain and body makes life possible. This circuit gives the Nerve System its “global” quality. Afferent and efferent nerves are the transmitters of information between the brain and the body.
Afferent nerves transmit sensory impressions to the brain for interpretation. These sensory impressions come from every organ, gland and tissue. The brain mentally adapts these sensory impressions into a response that aims to benefit the function and maintenance of the body. Efferent nerves transmit mental adaptations to the body for expression. These mental adaptations are sent to every organ, gland and tissue.
A high percentage of these nerve tracts “bottle-neck” at the brainstem region. The upper cervical spine surrounds and protects this vital area. If the upper cervical spine misaligns and locks out of place, it can put added tension on these nerves. A misaligns upper cervical spine that creates nerve tension is called a vertebral subluxation.
A vertebral subluxation interferes with how the brain communicates with the body and how the body communicates with the brain. Brain/body communication becomes impaired.
What is occurring in the body and what should be happening in the body do not match up. Miscommunication impairs nerve expression and function. There is a ‘mismatch’ between sensory impressions from the body and mental adaptations from the brain. Both mental thoughts and bodily actions can’t express their full potential. How well both the body and brain adapt to stress falters.
Chiropractors correct the vertebral subluxation of the upper cervical spine through a specific adjustment. An adjustment helps reduce nerve tension at the brainstem level. This allows the brainstem to better communicate with the brain and body. Bodily actions and mental thoughts can sense, perceive and function better without a subluxation present.
- Jarek Esarco, DC, CACCP
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