SPINAL HEALTH IS BRAIN HEALTH, SAY NEW ZEALAND CHIROPRACTORS
The
spinal cord is literally an extension of the brain, which means that spinal
health is brain health says the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association, as part of a
drive to explain how improved brain-body communication is vital to improving
the nation’s well
being.
Celebrating International Brain
Awareness Week, chiropractor and NZCA spokesman Dr Hayden Thomas explains: `The
focus of chiropractic care is on the health and integrity of the nervous
system. The health and function of the spine affects the entire nervous system.
We already know that the spinal cord is part of the central nervous system and
processes information just like parts of the brain do[1]
and the latest New Zealand research into the effects of chiropractic care
suggests that it may have an important role to play in maximising sporting
performance and aiding recovery from a range of conditions where muscle
function has been compromised.’
The New Zealand College of
Chiropractic Centre for Chiropractic Research has recently published a study in
the journal Experimental Brain Research[2],
which suggests that full spine chiropractic adjustments can significantly
improve brain body communication and coordination.
According to Dr Thomas: `Earlier
New Zealand research indicated that chiropractic care improves the
communication between the brain and body and results in better control of the
core muscles during body movements, so that your spine is at less risk of
injury. The researchers tell us that just a single session of chiropractic care
may improve muscle activation and increase muscle contractions to the same
extent as three weeks of gym based strength training.’
New Zealand research indicates that
chiropractic care may have a role to play in assisting those who display poor
proprioceptive function, the ability of the brain to sense the relative
position of the body parts in space and the ability to move accurately and
precisely without having to look at what you are doing. Without accurate
proprioception you would not be able to drive a car safely as you would need to
constantly look at what your arms and legs were doing.
As Dr Thomas explains: ‘We know that
chiropractic care assists brain function in many ways, one of which is
proprioceptive function and this improves the accuracy of the internal brain
map so your brain accurately knows what is going on all the time.’
See also www.chiropractic.org.nz
Ends
[2]
Niazi IK, TΓΌrker KS,
Flavel S, Kinget M, Duehr J & Haavik H. (2015) Changes in Hreflex and V
waves following spinal manipulation. Experimental Brain Research. In press.
DOI: 10.1007/s0022101441935 URL link:
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s0022101441935
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