What does Chiropractic have to do with immunity? When it comes to all things Chiropractic, it starts and ends with the Nerve system.
The Nerve system is the Master system that controls all our movements, regulates all body organs, senses everything we feel and relates us to the outside world. It controls these functions by sending and receiving nerve messages from the brain to all parts of the body. The Nerve system is in direct communication with the immune system through these messages.
The immune system is made up of specific organs and cells. These include the tonsils, adenoids, thymus, bone marrow, spleen, appendix, Peyer’s patches, lymph nodes and white blood cells. The immune system's main function is to defend the body against infection and protect the body’s cells.
Immunity as an operation involves many different physiological, psychological and sociological factors. To simplify this discussion, we can say that immunity is the body’s ability to resist infection. It is a functional quality of the immune system.
The Nerve system commands and controls our body’s response to infection through sensitive communication with the immune system.
Dr. Robert Ader, a psychologist at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, discovered 3 important links in the connection between the Nerve and the immune systems.
Nerve endings are found in the tissues of the immune system. Nerve fibers are found linked directly to bone marrow and the thymus, where immune cells are produced and developed. Nerve fibers are also found directly linked to the spleen and lymph nodes, where immune cells are stored.
Changes in the Central Nerve system alter immune responses and triggering an immune response alters Central Nerve system activity. An immune response activates nerve cells in the hypothalamus, an important region for homeostatic control. Also, brain cell activity peaks at precisely the same time that levels of antibodies are at their highest.
Lymphocytes are chemically responsive to hormones and neurotransmitters. Immune cells have receptor-molecular structures on their surface that allow them to receive information from the Nerve system and other parts of the immune system.
A properly functioning Nerve system is paramount to immune system function.
The spinal cord and brainstem, important sections of the Nerve system, are protected by the spine. When the spine is in alignment, nerves can send and receive messages without impedance. If the spinal bones become misaligned, nerve impulses can get disrupted. This is called a vertebral subluxation.
A vertebral subluxation reduces the function of the Nerve system. Nerves supplying organs and cells with functional information can begin to falter. This includes organs and cells of the immune system.
A vertebral subluxation obstructs our body’s ability to resist negative influences. This includes different types of stressors such as pathogens and other infectious agents. Chiropractic aims to optimize Nerve function at the spinal level. Proper nerve supply is essential in controlling and regulating bodily function.
The primary way Chiropractors optimize nerve function is by correcting the vertebral subluxation through an adjustment. Studies that have measured the effect of adjustments on the immune system have shown that Chiropractic influences T and B lymphocytes, Natural Killer cell numbers, antibody levels, phagocytic activity and plasma beta-endorphin levels.
All healing is self-healing. Chiropractic helps to remove a disruption from the Master control system to allow a greater potential of our innate ability to heal itself.
Jarek Esarco, DC, CACCP is a pediatric, family wellness and upper cervical specific Chiropractor. He is an active member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). Dr. Jarek has postgraduate certification in Pediatric Chiropractic through the ICPA. Dr. Jarek also has postgraduate certification in the HIO Specific Brain Stem technique through The TIC Institute. Dr. Jarek is happily married to his wife Regina. They live in Youngstown, Ohio with their daughter Ruby.