Spinal Health Is Brain Health

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

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[1]http://www.queensu.ca/gazette/content/spinal­cord­processes­information­just­areas­brain

[2] Niazi IK, Türker 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

Baby Walkers and Children’s’ 'Toe-Walking' Syndrome May Lead to Posture Problems Warn Chiropractors

Even children who are otherwise healthy but who walk on their toes because of spending too much time in baby walkers may be setting themselves up for posture problems in later life, the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association warns following publication this month of a new study from Sweden. 

According to the study to be published in the August issue of Pediatrics[1] as many as one in 20 children may predominantly walk on their toes in early childhood. The study points out that children who have developmental delays or neuropsychiatric disorders are more likely to walk on their toes.

But Dr Hayden Thomas, chiropractor and spokesperson for the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association explains: `Many healthy children also adopt this stance, which can lead to posture problems. Proper motor system integration is often upset by assisted walkers affecting the neuro-musculo-skeletal system. This is jeopardises reflex integration and the development of higher neural function. We strongly advise against the use of baby walkers for New Zealand toddlers for this reason.’

Toe-walking is a condition where children walk on their toes instead of using a typical gait. Certain conditions, such as cerebral palsy, can cause toe-walking, according to background information in the study. But, sometimes, toe-walking occurs in children who appear to be healthy otherwise. This is called idiopathic, or habitual, toe-walking.

The Swedish study noted that toe-walking in otherwise healthy children often resolves on its own. By 5.5 years, "more than half of the children have spontaneously ceased to walk on their toes," they concluded.

Thirty (20 boys and 10 girls) of the otherwise healthy children were current toe-walkers. That represented about 2 per cent of all the children. Another 40 children (22 boys and 18 girls) had previously walked on their toes. That means about 5 per cent of 5.5-year-old children had a history of toe-walking.

Most of the children, but not all, started walking on their toes. Eleven children developed toe-walking during their first year of walking, according to the study. Of the 17 children with developmental delays or neuropsychiatric disorders, seven boys (41 per cent) had a history of toe-walking. About half of these children started walking on their toes. In two children, toe-walking started during the first year of walking, and one youngster started toe-walking during the second year of walking, the researchers found.

Left untreated, toe-walking can cause damage to the structures in the legs, ankles and heels. It can also create a social stigma, according to the study authors.

Commenting on the study, Dr Thomas agreed that every child is different and every treatment is different, but early intervention is key. The brain from zero to 3 years old is much more pliable. He pointed out that children who walk on their toes tend to walk with their stomachs pushed forward, and part of treatment has to include moving that centre of gravity back. And, the longer that posture has been practiced, the longer it will likely take to correct.

Dr Thomas added that while the study found an association between toe-walking and developmental delays or neuropsychiatric disorders, it did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship.

 For further information on the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association visit www.chiropractic.org.nz. 

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[1] http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_127506.html

BRAIN IMBALANCE SYNDROME LINKED TO RANGE OF DISORDERS NEW ZEALAND CHIROPRACTORS TOLD

Attention deficit hyperactivity, autism, dyslexia and a range of other neurobehavioral and developmental disorders may be due to an imbalance between the two hemispheres of the brain, the national conference of the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association was told yesterday (19^th May).

Speaking at the association’s meeting in Auckland, Dr. Robert Melillo, chiropractor and former chairman of the American Board of Chiropractic Neurology told the meeting: `Traditionally clinicians have viewed these disorders as separate entities, however advancements in evaluative capabilities and diagnostic imaging have revealed striking similarities so that these disorders may be considered points on a common spectrum of Neurobehavioral/Developmental Disorders.’

Dr Melillo, author of the best-selling books Disconnected Kids and Reconnected Kids explains: `These conditions all have in common an underlying functional imbalance or under-connectivity of electrical (brain) activity within and between the right and left sides of the brain. As a result, the brain literally becomes desynchronized or “out of rhythm‟. Where the child falls on the spectrum is dependent on the severity of the imbalance and the specific regions effected within the brain, which may result in many, if not all, of the common symptoms of these disorders.’

Dr Melillo an internationally known lecturer, author, educator, researcher and clinician in the areas of neurology, rehabilitation, neuropsychology and neurobehavioral disorders in children who founded the Brain Balance Programme with over 20 centres across the USA believes that chiropractic along with other therapies has an important role to play in restoring brain synchronicity through improving motor skills and posture.

He says: `Along with other treatment programmes a series of simple exercises can be taught which can be done at home to stimulate one side of the brain more than the other. Differences in muscle tone can be improved by gentle manipulation of the spine.’