New Beginnings
“The brain is a far more open system than we ever imagined, and nature has gone very far to help us perceive and take in the world around us. It has given us a brain that survives in a changing world by changing itself.”
― Norman Doidge, The Brain that Changes Itself
Happy New Year!
New day, new week, new month, new year…Our brains and bodies are constantly changing throughout life. None of us is the same today as we were yesterday. Through a complex set of processes, the brain and indeed the entire nervous system have an ability called neural plasticity – the potential to change itself and adapt to changes around it. The “catch” is that these changes can either be positive or negative, depending on what is happening in and around the body.
Did you know that chiropractic adjustments to your spine cause changes in your brain? The brain produces certain electrical signals when touch is stimulated to the body. Researchers have studied these signals and used magnetic stimulation to the brain to learn how the nervous system alters with chiropractic care. They have found that after a chiropractic adjustment, neuroplastic changes occur in brain areas that process incoming information about how the body moves, arrange details for balance and coordination, and plan for performance of future movements. These locations of the brain work hard for us all day as we move our eyes, brush our teeth, cross the street, or do a cartwheel. Adaptations in these areas help explain clinical outcomes like faster reflexes, changes in pain processing, improved organization of sensory input and better proprioception (the body’s ability to understand where it’s parts are located relative to each other –what allows you to touch your finger to your nose with your eyes closed). Spinal subluxations (“misalignments”) give the brain an altered perception of reality. But with adjustments and a clear connection between the brain and body, the brain can better sense reality in the world around it and respond appropriately.
So chiropractic not only changes the brain and body, it has the ability to help improve future outcomes through this neural plasticity. Adjustments obviously work on the body, but they really are all about influencing the brain. Since none of us will be the same tomorrow as we are today, chiropractic is a beautiful way to help ensure those adaptations are positive!
Reference:
Haavik H, Niazi IK, Amjad I, Kumari N, Ghani U, Ashfaque M, Rashid U, Navid MS, Kamavuako EN, Pujari AN, et al. Neuroplastic Responses to Chiropractic Care: Broad Impacts on Pain, Mood, Sleep, and Quality of Life. Brain Sciences. 2024; 14(11):1124. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14111124
