We are reactionary to our environment. Turns out, we actually have two environments that the brain must accurately comprehend: Internal and External. When a subluxation is present, our mental processing of our environments is altered. This is called dysautonomia-- an irregularity in the Autonomic Nerve System. Because of that irregularity from subluxation, our bodies aren’t able to adapt to said environments. To learn more, contact our Coeur d'Alene ID chiropractic clinic today.

What Does Research Support In Coeur d'Alene ID

Research supports the idea that vertebral subluxations result in altered autonomic nerve system activity. How does this affect mental health and behavior? We will look specifically at the vagus nerve “fight or flight” response and “rest and digest” response. The vagus nerve is a major component of the HPA-axis which coordinates neural, behavioral, endocrine, and immune/inflammatory responses. This is why we check heart rate variability (HRV) in the office to gauge how well your vagus nerve is functioning, thus how well your HPA-axis is functioning.

There is a theory called the Polyvagal Theory (PVT) that was proposed by Porges in which nervous system regulation affects our emotional expression, communication, and social behavior. Or in other words, the neural pathways supporting behavior are involved in maintaining health. In a study by Williams et al, “There was some evidence that spinal manipulation improved psychological outcomes compared with verbal interventions.” A different study by Holder et al, looked at patients who received instrument assisted adjustments. The test group who received adjustments showed a significant decrease in anxiety compared to the control group. These changes were seen in the prefrontal cortex of the brain--a major driver of thought, emotion, and behavior regulation.

Chiropractic care is concerned with the totality of the human experience. By correcting subluxations, patients are more optimally able to adapt to the world around them and build resilience. The less dysautonomia present within the system, the better. When an adjustment is delivered, a patient’s nerve system immediately responds by altering the body’s ability to function at its fullest potential again.