It’s estimated that roughly 58.9% of Americans experience some degree of regular pain. Sadly, when it comes to treating pain, most medical professionals either turn to invasive surgeries or painkillers.
However, one solution might lie in chiropractic spinal manipulation. How many people make the mistake of thinking that chiropractic care can just impact health by reducing back pain?
But the reality is that chiropractic spinal manipulation is closely tied to the nervous system. This means that it has the potential to treat a variety of different types of pain.
In this guide, we’ll be exploring the connection between these two areas. That way, you can decide if it’s the right type of treatment for your needs.
What Is Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation?
Before we learn about how chiropractic care and the nervous system are connected, it’s important to first discuss this common technique. Chiropractic spinal manipulation occurs when a practitioner applies a controlled thrust toward the joint of your spine.
To do this they might use their hands or a specific type of device. This pressure applied to your back allows a chiropractor to correct or adjust the alignment of your spinal cord.
And, as we’ll learn, this can have a lasting impact on the overall health of the nervous system.
However, it’s important to note that chiropractic spinal manipulation is only one of many types of techniques out there. Different techniques can have different benefits for certain types of conditions.
How Is Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation Connected to Your Nervous System?
To understand how chiropractic treatment can benefit your nervous system, you need to know how it’s broken down.
Your nervous system is composed of multiple parts including your central nervous system (or CNS), peripheral nervous system (or PNS), and a subset of the PNS known as the enteric nervous system.
Chiropractic spinal manipulation affects all of these areas of your nervous system health differently.
Central Nervous System
Your central nervous system is needed to process all of the senses coming into your body. It’s also responsible for initiating our motor responses. Chiropractic care helps correct vertebral subluxations.
These types of subluxations put pressure on the nerves which causes them to malfunction. By reducing nerve impulse interference between the brain and the body, chiropractors can improve the overall function of the CNS.
Peripheral Nervous System
Your peripheral nervous system includes all of the nerves in your body that aren’t related to your brain or spinal cord. Its job is to transport impulses to the central nervous system and relay signals that originate from the CNS.
Chiropractic spinal manipulations can help improve communication between the PNS and the CNS. However, other types of chiropractic care like trigger point therapy, myofascial release, and massage can help conditions related specifically to the peripheral nervous system like arthritis.
Enteric Nervous System
As we mentioned, the enteric nervous system is a subsection of the PNS. It’s responsible for automatic responses related to digestion. This includes things like absorption, secretion, and excretion.
Chiropractic adjustment can help release tension being placed on the pelvic floor muscles and diaphragm. This, in turn, improves the connection being sent between the neurons in the GI tract and your central nervous system.
How Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation Can Have a Health Impact
Many people make the mistake of thinking that chiropractic care can only be used to treat conditions like back pain and sciatica. While it’s true that it can be beneficial for these conditions, it’s far from the only benefit that it has on our health.
When there’s pain of any kind in the body, it is typically due to an imbalance in the nervous system. And because our brain and spinal cord are the central hubs of our nervous system, it makes sense that many types of chronic pain can be treated with chiropractic spinal manipulation. And the science backs this up.
One recent study found that regular adjustments can permanently change the way we process pain and perceive its unpleasantness. And it doesn’t just help with pain.
Because our nervous systems are also connected to our digestive systems and immune systems, it can also help with things like:
- Improved digestive functions
- Better quality of sleep
- Improved energy levels
- Improved cognition throughout the day
- Heart rate and breathing regulation
- Improved flexibility and mobility
- Reduced instances of headaches
Best of all, the health impacts of chiropractic care don’t require invasive treatment. There are no pain meds required for recovering from it and it’s fairly affordable for the average person.
How to Find a Great Chiropractic Provider
While there are plenty of benefits that come with chiropractic care, it’s important to note that they ultimately depend on your provider. And sadly, there are a lot of sketchy businesses out there when it comes to chiropractic care.
So how do you find the right one for your needs? First, make sure you’re doing your research. Don’t just walk into a building labeled chiropractor without checking it out first.
Look up businesses in your area and make sure that they provide chiropractic care. Next, make sure everyone providing treatment has the proper training and licensure.
Online reviews are also a good way to weed out some potential bad options. Check the reviews to get a gauge of what the average customer experience is like.
While a few negative reviews are to be expected, if you see an overwhelming amount you need to steer clear.
Lastly, call the clinic and describe your condition. Listen to the specific types of treatments they suggest. A professional should have no problem explaining how they can help with your specific problem.
Ready for the Care You Deserve? Contact New York Wellness
We hope this guide helped you learn more about how chiropractic spinal manipulation can positively impact health. Here at New York Wellness, we know how injuries, discomfort, and pain can negatively affect your quality of life.
That’s why use a variety of different treatments to reduce the amount of pain in your daily routine.
If chiropractic care isn’t right for you, then we’ll try different options like acupuncture or physical therapy until we find a solution. So contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
