Your Nervous System
Your nervous system is made up of your brain, spinal cord, and spinal nerves. It is the most important system in your body, more important than your circulatory system (heart and lungs) and even more important than your immune system (your body’s ability to fight off infection and heal itself). It is your nervous system that controls all the other systems and organs in the body and coordinates their function.
Think of the brain and spinal cord as ‘batteries’ to the other organs and tissues of the body. This is why it is the first system to develop in a growing embryo. It develops first because without it, no other system could survive. Maintaining a healthy spine through chiropractic care is vital to maintaining a healthy nervous system.
Signs of Stress to the Nervous System
• Neck Pain
• Back Pain
• Lowered immunity (chronic sickness)
• Anxiety & Irritability
• Depressed Mood
• Digestion troubles (acid reflux, constipation, diarrhea)
Why do the curves matter?
When you look at a person from the side you will notice that their neck has a curve in it, as does the midback (between shoulder blades) and the lower back. The curve in the neck and the lower back is called a lordosis. The curve in the midback is called a kyphosis. These curves are very important to the stability of the spine and it’s ability to handle physical stresses. If proper curvatures are maintained, and if the spine is properly aligned, the spine will be able to better resist degenerative changes that will occur. How quickly and severely these degenerative changes occur depends on the biomechanics of the spine.
When degenerative changes such as a degenerative disc or osteoarthritis occur, osteophytes (bone spurs) often form on the vertebrae (bones in your back) and will irritate local nerve roots. This irritation can interfere with the flow of information that travels from the brain to the organs of the body. From reading the information above it is obvious why it is important to maintain a healthy, mobile spine. It is the key to the function of the entire body, especially as we age.
To make an appointment call Active Body Chiropractic Clinic at (519) 398-8598 conveniently located at 33 Princess Street (In the Princess Center, Suite 410) in Leamington. If you are a WSIB case or car accident case please inform the receptionist while making your first appointment.