Most people know that chiropractic care focuses on spinal health and alignment. What you may not know, however, is why chiropractors advocate for spinal health and alignment. It has to do with overall health and the role your spine plays in the functions of your body.
Your body operates on a series of complex and interconnected systems including, but not limited to, the skeletal, muscular, respiratory, digestive, nervous, and immune systems. The spinal cord, housed within the vertebrae of your spinal column, is directly linked to your brain, which single-handedly controls and operates these systems. The spinal cord is a kind of information highway, linking your brain to the rest of the body through a series of branching nerve pathways.
The goal of chiropractic is to keep your spine in tip-top condition to avoid any complications. Subluxation is the misalignment of the bones (vertebrae) that make up your spine. This misalignment can put unnecessary pressure on your spinal cord, leading to pain, discomfort, headaches, and even indigestion or decreased immunity. When your spinal cord is blocked or hindered in any way by the structures surrounding it, the nerve pathways are interrupted as well, and the information traveling from the brain to the rest of your body cannot flow freely.
The immune system is responsible for protecting your body from bacteria, viruses, toxins, and other malevolent intruders. It’s your body’s line of defense against the outside world, performing tasks such as
- creating and releasing white blood cells to attack any pathogenic substances in the body,
- operating the lymphatic system to filter out germs and prevent them from spreading throughout the body, and
- regulating the acidic levels of your body (particularly along the digestive tract) to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
When your immune system is not operating at full capacity, then your body is left defenseless against pathogens that may cause harm. In this way, chiropractic care acts as a preventative measure against sickness and disease. A chiropractor will make small, non-invasive manipulations to the vertebrae, gently guiding them back into their correct alignment. With an unobstructed spinal cord, information can flow much quicker and your body can respond much faster to any potential threats. By correcting your spinal health, you’re caring for your overall health as well.
So make an appointment with your local chiropractor today! If you live in the Gastonia area, we here at DiBella Chiropractic Center would love to have you join our family. Contact us and get started on the path to wellness!
