Happy Birthday Chiropractic and Neuroplasticity

In September 1895, Daniel David Palmer opened a Chiropractic Centre in Davenport, Iowa, USA. He offered spinal adjustments to unwell people with the objective of restoring their health. His theory was to relieve spinal nerve irritation by adjusting areas of the spine which were blocked. The resultant reduction in nerve irritation allowed the nervous system to return to normal and control the body in a healthy and structured manner.

One hundred and twenty-eight years later, Chiropractic is now the third largest primary health care profession in the world.

Each day millions of people attend Chiropractors all over the world to restore and maintain their spinal health.

The work of early Chiropractors was empirically based however today our profession is backed up by neuro scientific research of the highest calibre and we now know the following about exactly what a Chiropractic adjustment achieves:

* RESETS THE NERVOUS SYSTEM SIMILAR TO THE REBOOTING A COMPUTER

* IMPROVES JOINT POSITION SENSE (CLUMSINESS)

* INCREASES VISUAL ACUITY/FIELD

* DECREASES REACTION TIMES

* IMPROVES BRAIN PROCESSING

* DECREASES MUSCLE FATIGUE

* IMPROVES MUSCLE STRENGTH IN LEGS

RESTORING SPINAL FUNCTION ALTERS THE FUNCTIONING OF THE BRAIN (NEUROPLASTICITY)

What is Neuroplasticity?

The definition of neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to function cognitively  – staying on top of voluntary and involuntary tasks. Memory loss, brain fog, and mental exhaustion are symptoms of neuroplasticity degeneration.

The spinal column and especially the neck contribute a very direct role in maintaining brain function. Nerve bundles situated in the cervical spine carry critical messages to and from the brain, facilitating both unconscious and complex functions.

When the spine begins to shift from an ideal alignment, stress is transferred to the supply systems it houses. Slipping or bulging discs can impede lymphatic and nervous pathways; stenosis of the spine can restrict flow; and, the longer these systems are negatively affected, the more they deprive the brain. Short-term consequences can include migraines, mental fog, lethargy, and vision problems, among others. Long-term, severe brain damage becomes a concern, including negative neuroplasticity.

Regarding the physiological link between the spine and brain becoming more prominent, research has increased to find out how a Chiropractic adjustment can have a positive effect on neuroplasticity. For example, a recent 3-year study comprised of 100 volunteers, presented at the International Research and Philosophy Symposium held at Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic, investigated the mental activity of participants using electroencephalograms (EEG), comparing readings before and after chiropractic adjustments. In an overwhelming majority of readings, brain function showed improvements across the board.