The biggest misconception about Chiropractic is that it is just about neck and back pain. But the reason we concentrate on the spine, the upper cervical spine specifically, is that it surrounds and protects the brainstem.
For the brainstem to function at its greatest potential the Atlas and Axis bones must provide the greatest protection. The functional information that the brainstem transmits to the body below and the brain above must be able to communicate freely without obstruction. A misalignment of the upper cervical spine can obstruct brainstem function, disrupting nerve transmission. This is called a vertebral subluxation.
The brainstem is directly linked to a wide range of vital functions, including consciousness, body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, digestion, and sleep cycles. It also controls automatic reflexes such as coughing, sneezing, and swallowing.
To enhance overall health and well-being
The Nerve System cultivates the natural regulation of every bodily action. It controls all functions, ensuring they perform normally, both in quality and quantity.
For example: the Nerve System not only monitors and controls how much blood is being pumped through the cardiovascular system (such as blood volume and pressure), it also monitors and controls the proper composition of the blood in the cardiovascular system (such as oxygen/carbon dioxide ratios). We are only as healthy as our Nerve Systems. Chiropractic helps you achieve this by correcting the vertebral subluxation.
A vertebral subluxation interferes with the function of the Nerve System, preventing it from working at a normal degree. Correcting this abnormality, allows for a healthier Nerve System function. This in turn, enhances our well-being.
To strengthen immunity
Immunity helps provide protection against infection and disease, and assists in functional adaptations, both internally and externally. The link between Nerve System function and Immune System function is so intimate that some researchers label it the “Neuroimmune System.” We can deduce that if Chiropractic care improves the function of the Nerve System, we can improve the function of the Immune System as well.
Chiropractic helps improve immunity by correcting vertebral subluxations. The Immune System is in constant dialogue with the Nerve System through a sensitive network of cellular communication. A vertebral subluxation creates a “communication breakdown” which can desensitize the effectiveness of our immune response.
It is the goal of the Chiropractic adjustment to correct vertebral subluxations, which provide for a better dialogue not only between the Nerve and Immune Systems, but between the Nerve System and all bodily systemic functions.
- Jarek Esarco, DC, CACCP
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Jarek Esarco, DC, CACCP is a pediatric, family wellness and upper cervical specific Chiropractor. He is an active member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). Dr. Jarek has postgraduate certification in Pediatric Chiropractic through the ICPA. Dr. Jarek also has postgraduate certification in the HIO Specific Brain Stem technique through The TIC Institute. Dr. Jarek is happily married to his wife Regina. They live in Youngstown, Ohio with their daughter Ruby.
