Chiropractic - The Original Nervous System Reset
One of the most important reasons chiropractors focus on correcting vertebral subluxations is their direct relationship to the nervous system. The nervous system controls and coordinates every function in the body, and the spine exists, in large part, to protect and support it.
When the spine loses proper alignment or motion—what chiropractors refer to as a vertebral subluxation—normal nervous system function can be compromised.
The Nervous System: Your Body’s Master Control System
The brain, spinal cord, and nerves form an intricate communication network. Messages travel from the brain down the spinal cord and out through spinal nerves to muscles, organs, glands, and tissues. Information also travels back to the brain from the body, providing feedback that allows the body to adapt and heal.
Anything that interferes with this communication can affect how the body functions.
Subluxation and the Autonomic Nervous System
A critical part of this discussion involves the autonomic nervous system (ANS). This system regulates functions that occur automatically—such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, breathing, immune response, and stress adaptation.
The autonomic nervous system has two primary branches:
The sympathetic nervous system, often described as the “fight or flight” system, which prepares the body for stress and action
The parasympathetic nervous system, often called the “rest, repair, and recover” system, which supports healing, digestion, and restoration
For optimal health, these two systems must remain in balance. Vertebral subluxations can disrupt this balance by altering nerve input to and from the spine, potentially keeping the body in a prolonged state of stress or reducing its ability to properly rest and repair. Chiropractic is the orginal nervous system reset.
Disc Changes and Nerve Pressure
A subluxation can affect the intervertebral disc, the cushion between spinal bones. When a vertebra is misaligned or not moving properly, abnormal pressure can be placed on the disc. Over time, this may contribute to disc irritation, bulging, or degeneration.
Disc changes can, in turn, place mechanical pressure or chemical irritation on nearby nerves, altering how those nerves function. This may contribute to pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, or changes in organ or muscle function depending on the nerve involved.
Soft Tissue Involvement and Nervous System Stress
Subluxation is not limited to bones and discs. The surrounding soft tissues—muscles, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissue—are also affected. When a vertebra is misaligned, soft tissues may become inflamed or swollen (edema), tight on one side and overstretched on the other.
Inflammation and edema can create additional stress on nerves, further disrupting normal signaling. Muscle tension and guarding can also perpetuate abnormal spinal mechanics, creating a cycle that continues to stress the nervous system if left uncorrected.
Why Chiropractic Focuses on Correction
Chiropractors are uniquely trained to detect and correct vertebral subluxations with the goal of restoring proper spinal alignment and motion, thereby reducing stress on the nervous system. By improving spinal mechanics and decreasing nerve interference, the body is better able to regulate itself, adapt to stress, and heal.
This is why chiropractic care is not just about relieving symptoms—it is about improving the conditions that allow the nervous system to function at its best.
Supporting Nervous System Health
When subluxations are addressed:
Nerve communication may improve
Autonomic balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic systems can be supported
Muscle tension and inflammation may decrease
The spine can move more freely and efficiently
Over time, consistent chiropractic care helps support both spinal and nervous system health—two systems that are inseparably connected.
Is Your Nervous System Under Stress?
Many people live with vertebral subluxations without realizing it, often attributing symptoms to stress, aging, or “just part of life.” Regular spinal evaluations help identify and correct these issues before they contribute to more significant problems.
📞 If it’s been a while since your last spinal check—or if you’ve never had one—call the office today to schedule an appointment. Supporting your spine is one of the most effective ways to support your nervous system and overall health.