Heightened Immunity, Chiropractic, and the Sympathetic Nervous System
This white paper discusses the significance of the 2007 study published in the Journal of Neuroscience called “The Neurochemically Diverse Intermedius Nucleus of the Medulla as a Source of Excitatory and Inhibitory Synaptic Input to the Nucleus Tractus Solitarii.” A link between the muscles of the neck, alignment of the bones, movement of spinal vertebrae, and autonomic functions has long been suspected. This study helps to settle what little controversy on the topic existed. The British researchers located specific areas in the neck which have a direct connection to a part of the brainstem which helps regulate autonomic organ health, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Findings of the study were as follows:
• Sensory information from the neck joints and muscles are components of postural reflexes and
influence cardiorespiratory control.
• The intermediate nucleus of the medulla, a major influencer of both postural and cardiorespiratory control, is a recipient of afferent information directly from neck muscles and joints.
• Cardiorespiratory changes can also be evoked by stimulation of neck muscle afferents.
• There are direct connections from the intermediate nucleus to the nucleus tractus solitarius.
• The cervico-sympathetic reflex (which can alter heart rate and blood pressure) appears to originate from muscle spindles in the dorsal neck musculature. It is also very likely the suboccipital muscle group is involved in the reflex because these muscles have an extremely high muscle spindle content.
• The nucleus tractus solitarius is a major connecting area for autonomic control circuits. Because of this, the projection of the intermediate nucleus to the nucleus tractus solitarius (identified in this study) places it into an ideal position to mediate cardiorespiratory changes to neck muscle afferent stimulation
Science and research have demonstrated that all primary and secondary immune organs receive a substantial nerve supply from the sympathetic nervous system. The primary pathway for the neural regulation of immune function is provided by the sympathetic nervous system and its main neurotransmitter, norepinephrine. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system inhibits the activity of cells associated with the innate immune response. Spinal adjustments have been shown to reduce sympathetic nervous system tone through the activation of the parasympathetic nerves. This study helps to show such changes. Chiropractic positively influences immunity through spinal adjustments by
reducing the tone of the sympathetic nervous system. Chiropractic patients of all ages and genders have experienced autonomic-related benefits such as heart health, digestive health, and immune system benefits through adjustments for over 100 years. Chiropractors will continue to provide care which influences many different aspects of health and performance to segments of the society seeking natural healthcare.
Painless Chiropractic and Neuropathy Treatment Center of Fenton MI offers family chiropractic care with a focus on in depth chronic pain ailments such as but not limited to:
Neuropathy in the Hands and or Feet (numbness and/or pain in the hands and or feet), Sciatic Nerve Pain (pain that typically starts in the low back/buttocks and moves down the leg), chronic knee pain, Disc issues in the knee and spine including herniated, bulging, protruding, blown, flat and.or slipped disc, Head pain such as headaches, migraines, vertigo (dizzy, lightheaded, spinning), Neck Pain including but not limited to Whiplash, Shoulder and Arm pain.
Along with doctor regulated treatments and resources for those looking for assistance with Detoxification, Weight Loss and/or Metabolic issues such as Leaky Gut, Autoimmune, Thyroid Problems, Hormonal Imbalances, Celiac Disease, IBS, Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Food Allergies, Lupus, Psoriasis, Hives, Acne, Eczema, Dermatitis, Cystic Fibrosis, Asthma, Arthritis, Joint Pain, Depression, Anxiety, ADD, ADHD and more…
Sources and Resources:
2007 study published in the Journal of Neuroscience
called “The Neurochemically Diverse Intermedius Nucleus of the Medulla as a Source of Excitatory and
Inhibitory Synaptic Input to the Nucleus Tractus Solitarii.”