Quick! What is
the one organ that cannot be transplanted? The heart, liver, kidneys,
and lungs can all be replaced. Even skin—the largest organ of
all—can be grafted. But you cannot replace your brain! It is the
largest organ of the body’s information superhighway called the
nervous system. The nervous system (composed of your brain, spinal
cord and nerves) is responsible for controlling the function and
health of every single organ, tissue and cell you have. Because it
helps regulate your immune, circulatory, and hormone systems, your
brain is undoubtedly the most important organ of all.
Uninterrupted
communication between the nervous system and the rest of the body is
essential to health—and it is the nervous system which is the
vehicle whereby this life-force is allowed to flow. “Life force”
is described in many ways: as an electrical-chemical impulse, qi
(energy), or a “spark of life”. In general terms, it is a
wave-length of energy. This wavelength creates a connection between
the brain and body. Healing and growth occur when it is allowed an
uninterrupted flow.
If there is
interference in the connection between the nervous system and the rest
of the body, there is less than optimal health. We call these
interferences subluxations.
The word subluxation comes from the Latin root words "sub,"
meaning "less than" or "below," and "lux,"
meaning "light" or "state of perfection." Thus,
subluxation translates as "a condition of less than a state of
perfection." When that life-energy is not able to flow in a
symphony of music between body and brain, it is like noise, similar to
radio-wave interference. With such interference, many adverse
conditions can result. For example, if interference occurs to the
nerves that control the lungs, asthma may be the outcome. I see many
cases of such body-based interference showing up both in children and
adults in such problems as ear infections, allergies, pain
hyperactivity disorders, bedwetting and colic.
When
chiropractors treat a person with subluxations, their intent is to
remove the life-force interference, allowing the person's innate
intelligence to achieve a perfect balance of spiritual, mental,
emotional and physical well-being. Chiropractors specifically focus on
creating balanced, uninterrupted communication between the body and
the brain by gently guiding the nervous system out of its old, harmful
patterns and structural habits. Chiropractors then educate the person
receiving treatment with stabilizing stretches, exercises, and other
homework.
Pediatric and
pregnancy chiropractic care is a little different from mainstream
chiropractic care. It usually incorporates a light touch and gentle
guidance. As growth and change occur in the pre- and post-natal state,
treatment may also change. If a woman has torsion in her uterus or
pelvis causing her baby to be in an abnormal position (“in-utero
constraint”), in most cases chiropractic care can help realign and
balance those issues, allowing the baby to move into the proper
position without outside help. Many pediatric and pregnancy
chiropractors work with midwives, doulas,
obstetricians and pediatricians as a support system for family care.
Chiropractic is a safe, effective, and natural way for the whole
family—from new babies to grandparents—to obtain balance between
body and brain. (You can find more information on pediatric
chiropractic care at www.icpa4kids.org
and www.icapediatrics.com.)
As children
grow it is vitally important for them to receive care from birth. In-utero
constraint, birth, learning to walk, seemingly minor falls, bumps,
bruises, playground crashes, heavy backpacks, sports, and many other
events can cause imbalances that, if left undetected, can cause major
issues later in life. Like a dental cavity, it is easiest to care for
the condition if caught early—or prevented in the first place!
Infants and
children may not express pain or discomfort but your family
chiropractor can help you see signs of subluxation in your child. Some
outward indications may include a flat, cone-shaped or imbalanced
skull, one shoulder, hip or pant leg that sits higher than the other,
and preference or persistence of only one sleeping position. Watch
your child walk or crawl and see if one foot or hip flares out more
than the other. If a child cannot turn their head to one side well or
prefers one breast or position during nursing, this is a major sign of
subluxation which may lead to torticollis, or "wry neck,"
among other problems. Slouching, neuromuscular imbalances, poor
ergonomics, genetic conditions, leg length inequality and heavy
backpacks can contribute to scoliosis. Depending on the cause and
severity of the issue and the age of the patient, treatment can begin
conservatively with chiropractic care that can eliminate or reduce
curvature if caught in time. Make sure your family is "growing up
straight!"
So what causes
subluxations? Many chiropractors refer to the cause of subluxation as
the Three T's: thoughts, trauma and toxins. Thoughts are more powerful
than we give them credit for—they control our bodies. For example,
if you think about a lemon, your mouth begins to water. In the same
way, with a negative mental or emotional worry we can "think
ourselves sick." Spiritual, mental, emotional, physical,
financial, career or social trauma leads to imbalance as well. Among
many other things, pollution, poor dietary habits, chemicals in
everyday items, pesticides, modified or processed foods, drugs, poor
indoor air and many other toxins can cause our nervous system to
become imbalanced. No matter the name of the resulting symptom of
subluxation imbalance (fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, menstrual
cramps, PMS, headaches, depression, et cetera), chiropractic can help
by restoring the vital communication and healing wisdom between the
brain and the body.
We
are surrounded by the Three T’s and cannot eliminate them
completely. However, we can become aware of them in our surroundings,
thus reducing our exposure and risk to their harms. Through
chiropractic care we can also help our nervous system adapt to them.
You can start today by seeking out professionals who will offer
personalized care for your family, and who will educate, inspire, and
motivate you to make common sense decisions. Living a well-balanced
life will add years to your life and bring life into your years! If
this makes sense to you, make those healthy choices for now and for
future generations of your family.
Dr.
Jessica J. Allen,
D.C., is a pregnancy, pediatric and whole family chiropractor. She is
a member of the ICA (www.icapediatrics.com)
and the ICPA (www.icpa4kids.org).
You can reach her at 561-4474.
