Nociception is the process by which the Nerve System interprets adverse stimulation. Unique receptors called nociceptors sense and transmit information to the brain about injured or damaged tissue. Nociceptors don’t generate pain but instead alert the brain about a problem that might be effecting the body.
Pain is the limbic or emotional response to tissue damage and nociception. Pain is a graded emotional experience. It is the subjective perception of nociceptive information. Pain is one potential outcome of nociceptive activity.
Pain management has many challenges because pain is inherently subjective. How a drug or surgery alters a person's interpretation of pain is in constant flux. Chiropractic looks at the pain problem from a different perspective.
Chiropractic focuses on physiological factors that contribute to or cause pain. One factor involved is a vertebral subluxation.
A vertebral subluxation occurs when a spinal bone loses its normal position to a corresponding segment and interferes with nerve system communication. A subluxation will strain corresponding muscles, tendons, facet joints, and intervertebral discs. Strained muscle tissue releases chemical mediators of inflammation.
If left uncorrected, acute inflammation can develop into a chronic condition. Chronic inflammation lowers the threshold for nociceptors to fire. This makes nociceptors more sensitive. This can increase the emotional response associated with pain.
An adjustment does not reduce pain but helps mitigate elements that contribute to the overstimulation of nociception. Achieving a more optimal state of function will also allow for a more accurate perception of pain.
- 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
