Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic Nervous System
Chiropractic care is much more than treating neck pain, headaches, and back pain. Did you know your nervous system is made of two parts, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is activated by stress and the "fight or flight" response. It is responsible for increasing heart rate, activating your sweat glands, dilating the bronchioles in your lungs, and producing adrenaline. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for digesting food and allowing the body to rest and relax.
In order to maintain an optimal level of health, these two systems must be in balance with each other. In today's fast-paced world, many people are sympathetic dominant due to the constant stress put on their bodies. Prolonged sympathetic dominance can lead to a variety of health problems including:
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Chronic digestive issues
- Experiencing anxiety or panic attacks
- Unable to mentally slow down
- Feeling like you have to constantly be doing something
- Insomnia
- Fast pulse
- Lowered immunity
- Increased blood pressure and blood sugar
- Shoulder and neck muscle tightness
- Constant fatigue
Chiropractic adjustments can help balance these two systems. The nervous system is housed inside the spine and the skull, so by specific adjustments to the spine, chiropractic care can help restore balance to these two systems and allow you to reach your optimal potential.
