Live Life Fully
December 23, 2021 Posted in: ASK AN EXPERT
As a chiropractor, I recognize that the nervous system is the conduit of transmission for all life expression. The acclaimed chiropractor Dr. Christopher Kent relates this idea in his lectures (slightly paraphrased here). “Everything we experience is processed through our nervous system,” he says. “If our nervous system is not functioning to its optimal level, our perception of the world is distorted and our ability to respond appropriately is compromised. This not only affects our physical health, but also our emotional and psychological function as well.”
Our nerve systems transmit impulses of intelligence from brain to body and back to the brain. Any impairment to this transmission affects our ability to express life fully. These impairments are often subluxations, mechanical obstructions related to misaligned spinal and cranial structures. Additionally, when joints develop aberrant motion due to these shifts in structure, communication back to the brain is adversely affected.
The science of chiropractic is to locate, analyze and adjust these misaligned areas and achieve optimal nerve system function. When we free up the nerve system to perform its best, the result is greater life expression on all levels of our existence: physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual. This is why chiropractic is not the treatment of any condition or disease, nor do chiropractors try to alter or palliate diagnosed symptoms. Merely treating symptoms does not address the underlying causes; overall function is dependent on nerve system performance. Chiropractic adjustments restore normal nerve function, and therefore enhance our overall expression and quality of life.
That said, in chiropractic, we also recognize the extreme increases in stressors that have become a part of modern life. Everything that happens to us—
physically, emotionally and chemically—imprints itself in our brains via the nervous system, so it makes sense to be conscious of what we expose ourselves to. Therefore, chiropractors will frequently point out these lifestyle stressors to which we’ve become accustomed. Chiropractors may awaken our perspectives about how we conceive, sustain pregnancy and give birth, and how well we rest, relax and move our bodies. Traditionally, chiropractors guide us to look at the most natural ways of living with an underlying respect for natural design and function. Some chiropractors may lead us to look deeper into our realm of thinking, how we parent, how we develop and sustain our relationships, and how we interact in society. Chiropractors are attentive to how we express ourselves as living, loving human beings, as these, too, are directly interrelated with our nerve system function.
Granted, our lives may contain physical, emotional and chemical stressors that are beyond our control. We don’t have a choice about any physical and emotional incidents that happened in our childhood, and there are some chemicals in our environment that are unavoidable. That brings us to the very purpose of Pathways and its diversity of articles that offer an opportunity for parents to expand their awareness of these nerve system stressors and the resources to do something about it.
With regard to children who have identifiable conditions from overburdened nerve system stress, it is fair to say that today we are living in a world overloaded with such stressors. Our innate ability to adapt is burdened by the less-than-optimal ability of our nerve system to perform. Unhealthy nerve performance leads to nerve stress overload, which leads to more unhealthy nerve performance, which leads to more nerve stress overload. The cycle is impairing and distorting the life expression of entire generations. Again, let’s remember Dr. Kent’s lecture: “Everything we experience is processed through our nervous system. If our nervous system is not functioning to its optimal level, our perception of the world is distorted and our ability to respond appropriately is compromised. This not only affects our physical health, but also our emotional and psychological function as well.”
Throughout this issue (as in every issue of Pathways), I hope to awaken our appreciation for the nervous system and its enormous effect on our lives. I hope to expand our understanding of how chiropractic care enhances nerve system function. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD or not, here are my suggestions:
Step One: Get your nervous system performing at its best with chiropractic adjustments. This is the essence of natural, sustainable health and well-being. This is at the core of expressing all aspects of our lives at their greatest potential.
Step Two: Look at the many lifestyle choices that are offered in Pathways, and consider what you can change about your own life. Reducing physical, emotional and chemical stressors will strengthen your nerve system’s ability to experience and manifest life more fully. What chiropractic offers is not the treatment of conditions or the mere easing of symptoms, but instead restoration of nerve system performance, which affects physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual expression. There is a difference.
Step Three: As your nerve system begins to perform with greater ease and expression, notice the shift in your perspectives. Allow your consciousness to expand. And then, most important, regardless of others’ desire to stifle your innate potential to express who you are, allow yourself to live life fully!
