Stress plays a key role in the chronic loss of health and the development of chronic illness and disease. Some research indicates a key role of stress in the development of more than 90% of all illnesses and diseases. 

Even a limited view of stress attributes a wide range of physical and mental health challenges to chronic stress. Stress puts you at risk for a number of challenges including: anxiety, depression, digestive issues, headaches, muscle tension and pain, heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, strokes, sleep problems, weight gain, and memory issues. And, that’s only the beginning. 

Managing Stress is the Keystone to Health

Let me correct that as I really do not believe that “managing” stress is an effective strategy. The most effective long term approach is to transform how your body and nervous system processes stress. 

With stress linked to so many health challenges, if you desire to feel good, perform your best, and maintain great health it is incumbent on you to regulate your stress levels. 

Our modern world is full of repeated and mostly unavoidable stimuli or triggers that activate the Sympathetic “fight or flight” Nervous System. This is the branch of the autonomic nervous system tasked with survival so it trumps the Parasympathetic / Vagus nerve “rest and digest” Nervous System. 

The more the Sympathetic System gets activated the more it lowers or inhibits the activity of the Vagus Nerve. The Vagus Nerve is the connection between the brain and the major organs. A healthy Vagus Nerve is associated with:

• Healthy digestion
• Lowered blood pressure
• Deep restorative sleep
• Healthy immune response
• Relaxation and recovery
• Deep human connection
• Intuition

The Role of Corrective Chiropractic

Corrective Chiropractic, unlike traditional chiropractic, is focused on the correction of imbalances, misalignments, and loss of healthy joint motion. In the upper neck and pelvis these misalignments tend to cause a lowering of Vagus Nerve function.

In the mid and lower back misalignments tend to activate the sympathetic “fight or flight” system. Corrective chiropractic is a powerful strategy to lower the sympathetic system while raising vagus nerve function. 

Polyvagal Approach

Polyvagal theory is the study of our body’s response to stress and has identified three broad categories of activities and environments that have a powerful impact on the Vagus Nerve. 

In my practice, Life Chiropractic of Grass Valley, I use Polyvagal Theory practices in combination with corrective chiropractic to achieve a more profound balancing of the autonomic nervous system. 

While I will discuss the 3 categories of Polyvagal Theory I have found that correcting dysfunctional breathing patterns coupled with simple conscious breathing practices has the power to transform the balance of the autonomic nervous system. Breathwork coupled with corrective chiropractic has the ability to rewire your stress response. 

Dysfunctional breathing is responsible for a repeated activation of the sympathetic stress response. By raising the activity of the vagus nerve you bring greater balance to the autonomic nervous system. And, you learn the priceless skill of being able to self-regulate your nervous system. 

Life Chiropractic Grass Valley

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