Our bodies are amazingly equipped to handle all kinds of situations that may be thrown at us. In fact, our central nervous system is made up of a few different parts, all of which help our body adequately cope with various situations and external factors. When broken down to some of its smallest parts, the central nervous system is composed of two parts, the sympathetic and parasympathetic. Each part plays an important role in how the body functions, but when one part takes over and becomes dominate, the delicate balance is disrupted, causing dysfunction and chaos with the body. When dysfunction begins, Lithia Springs chiropractor Dr. Ronnie Bolar can help.
Sympathetic Vs. Parasympathetic
Within your body, the sympathetic system is more like the gas pedal while the parasympathetic system is similar to the brake pedal in a car. The sympathetic system is responsible for our “fight or flight” response when we feel stressed. When your sympathetic system is fired up, it causes increased heart rate, pupil dilation, and increased blood pressure to let your body know it’s time to either run or fight. This survival mode is important for certain situations, but when the sympathetic system is on overdrive, it causes your body more stress and can also lead to forgetfulness or inability to concentrate. If our body stays in a sympathetic state for too long, it can lead to other kinds of problems such as depression or fatigue. The parasympathetic system does the exact opposite of the sympathetic system in that it slows the body down, sending out calming feelings so that the body has time to repair itself. This response allows for proper digestion, healing of any sicknesses, repairing of cells, and more. This response helps our bodies function optimally and is more healthy for our bodies overall.
Stress on the Body and Nervous System
Emotional stress from the environment around us can cause the sympathetic system to respond more frequently than it should. Chemical stresses from our diet and the things we consume can also be a cause of an overactive sympathetic system. Additionally, any sort of trauma, specifically to the head or spine, can cause spinal misalignments that lead to dysfunction. Sports injuries, trip and fall accidents, car accidents, or even something as simple as sitting at a desk with improper posture can lead to spinal misalignments and put additional stress on the body. But chiropractic care from a Lithia Springs chiropractor can address these matters to bring about relief and allow your body to be in a parasympathetic state longer and more often.
Chiropractic Care Restores Balance
Subluxations, or misalignments of the spine, can be the root cause of stress on the nerves. This stress is what may cause the sympathetic system to become overactive. Gentle adjustments from Dr. Bolar of Vital Life Chiropractic can remove spinal misalignments to alleviate stress and tension. When this occurs, the stress responses are brought back into balance so the body can rest and repair itself, improving digestion, immune function, and overall health and wellness.
If you are experiencing signs of depression, fatigue, or decreased health, you may have an imbalance of the sympathetic and parasympathetic responses. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Ronnie Bolar of Vital Life Chiropractic today to improve your health and restore balance once again.
Sources
Gibbons, P.F., Gosling, C.M., Holmes, M. “Short-Term Effects of Cervical Manipulation on Edge Light Pupil Cycle Time: A Pilot Study.” Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2000 Sep; 23(7): 465-469. http://www.jmptonline.org/article/S0161-4754%2800%2981597-3/abstract.
Welch, A., Boone, R. “Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Responses to Specific Diversified Adjustments to Chiropractic Vertebral Subluxations of the Cervical and Thoracic Spine.” Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 2008 Sep; 7(3): 86-93. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2686395/.