Stress, Health and Healing

STRESS AND SYMPTOMS
We find that most people’s presenting symptoms are related in some way to various manifestations of the “stress response” in the body.  This “fight or flight” response, can be a reaction to past or present injuries, or to physical, mental, emotional or chemical stresses.  Lets face it, most of us are living with more stress than is ideal for optimal health.  When the body goes into a stress response pattern, which can be longstanding at sub-clinical levels, the muscles get tighter, the spine and joints get stiffer and achier and posture is altered.  

These are some of the common stress related symptoms that our practice members have reported positive changes in once they are under care:
      








































RELAXATION RESPONSE AND HEALING

The most powerful state for healing and repatterning of tension patterns in the body is the “relaxation response”, a phrase first coined in 1975 by Dr. Herbert Benson M.D., a Harvard Medical School researcher.  The following process is described in Dr. Bensen's latest book "The Breakout Principle", published in 2003.  During a "relaxation response" nitric oxide, is released in from the brain into the bloodstream.  This counteracts the stress hormones and then stimulates the brain to increase dopamine and endorphins.  These neurochemicals collectively lower blood pressure and heart rate and increase feelings of inner tranquility and happiness while decreasing pain.  Other mood-enhansing, antibacterial and immune-boosting neurochemicals are also released.  The result is improved mental and emotional health, superior performance and increased creativity.

The gentle and specific light touch we apply to the spine on specific "neuro-reflexive" points brings your body and mind into an experience of this deep "relaxation response".  While in this healing state, in addition to all of the neuro-chemical changes listed above, muscles progressively relax, joints restrictions are loosened, breath is deepened and an awareness of unconscious patterns is enhanced.  The experience of just 15 minutes of this type of treatment can be profound.  Although each visit is a significant experience in itself, the power of the work is through the cumulative effects of a series of treatments.  These progressive changes allow the body to reconnect to its natural state of dynamic balance and flexibility.

Back and neck painHeadaches
Stiffness 
Poor posture
Fatigue 
Sleep problemsMemory problems
Digestive problems
Mood imbalances
High Blood Pressure
Skin problems
Frequent colds
Asthma
Hormonal imbalances
and others...
The Stress Response (fight or flight) is mediated by the nerves shown in yellow, which are called the "Sympathetic" nerves.  These nerves exit the spinal cord in the areas between the Thoracic vertebrae 1-12 (middle back).

The Relaxation/Healing Response (rest, digest and heal) is mediated by the nerves shown in green, called the "Parasympathetic" nerves.  These nerves exit the spinal cord at it's top and bottom.  The light touch we use has the observed effect of activating the green nerve system and bringing the body and mind into a healing state.

Due to its interaction with all of the internal organs, the Autonomic Nervous System, when balanced, can have widespread positive effects in many areas of your health.
Network Chiropractic                       of Acton