CONNECTIONS to HEALTH

Ask not what your spine can do for you… ask what you can do for your spine. As you are probably all aware, here at the Ishta Centre we are passionate about the spine. In fact, for those of you who do not realise it, ISHTA stands for Integrating Spinal Health with Therapeutic Approaches. Why the spine? Well it stems from our awareness and education over the last 20-30 years. The spine is so important to our health on all levels, physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. What does it do for us? Firstly it houses the spinal cord and provides essential protection for this delicate material. The spinal cord is connected to the brain and is about the diameter of a human finger. From the brain the spinal cord descends down the middle of the back and is surrounded and protected by the bony segments of the spine or vertebrae. The spinal cord is surrounded by a clear fluid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), that acts as a cushion to protect the delicate nerve tissues against damage from banging against the inside of the vertebrae. Diagram of the spine with a segment showing the spinal chord in the lumbar region. The anatomy of the spinal cord itself consists of millions of nerve fibres which transmit electrical information to and from the limbs, trunk and organs of the body, back to and from the brain. The brain and spinal cord are referred to as the Central Nervous System, whilst the nerves connecting the spinal cord to the body are referred to as the Peripheral Nervous System. The nerves within the spinal cord are grouped together in different bundles called Ascending and Descending tracts. Ascending tracts within the spinal cord carry information from the body, such as touch, skin temperature, pain and joint position upwards to the brain. Descending tracts within the spinal cord carry information from the brain downwards to initiate movement and control body functions. Nerves called the spinal nerves, or nerve roots, come off the spinal cord and pass out through a hole in each of the vertebrae called the foramen, and carry the information from the spinal cord to the rest of the body, and from the body back up to the brain. There are four main groups of spinal nerves which exit different levels of the spinal cord. These are, in descending order down the vertebral column: Cervical Nerves "C": (nerves in the neck). They supply movement and feeling to the arms, neck and upper trunk. Thoracic Nerves "T": (nerves in the upper back). They supply the trunk and abdomen. Lumbar Nerves "L" and Sacral Nerves "S": (nerves in the lower back). They supply the legs, the bladder, bowel and sexual organs. The spine then provides us with the mechanism of conducting electrical, nervous impulses or information around the body. As Chiropractors we believe that the spine is also responsible for transmitting more subtle information around the body and keeping us connected to the bigger picture. In Chiropractic this more subtle energy is referred to as the Innate Intelligence, and is transmitted around the body via the nervous system. It is the body's or person's innate ability to heal itself, or for that matter to perform any innate function. There is a belief within Chiropractic that the Innate Intelligence is connected to a greater intelligence know as the Universal Intelligence and via a healthy and well functioning spine and nervous system the Universal and Innate Intelligences can be well connected. As a result a person can work towards achieving their potential in life in all areas. Diagram showing the link between the spine and the organs, six plexuses of activity can be seen. Looking East Looking at other cultures there has long been an understanding and acceptance that there is subtle link between the spine and the more spiritual aspects of life. Yoga states that running up the centre of the spine is a central channel known as the Shushumna, this is thought to transmit Prana, or universal life force, up and down the spine, and off this are various centres known as Chakras of energy. Interestingly these correlate with centres of activity, or plexuses, within the autonomic nervous system. Along the side of the spine yoga states that there are two other channels called the Ida (left side) and Pingala (right side). These three tubes are thought to carry Prana or the universal energy or life force. The Ida channel is connected to the left nostril and the Pingala channel to the right nostril. They function alternately and not simultaneously and research has shown that the left nostril is open to receiving energies which are cooling and calming and the right side of the brain has been shown to be stimulated and when the right nostril is open to receiving energies which are warming and activating this stimulates the left side of the brain. Maintaining a structurally sound spine can aid in the functioning of these channels and our ability to access deeper levels of healing. Diagram showing the central, Shushumna, the Ida and Pingala channels and Chakras along the spine. What can I do to help my spine? If we can see the spine in the bigger picture of health and personal development then we need to ask ourselves what can I do to help my spine and therefore my whole being function at its optimum? Of course we are going to say have the alignment of your spine checked at regular intervals. It will not only help to relieve the symptoms of misalignments, or as we like to say in Chiropractic-speak, subluxations, but much more importantly maintains open links between the spine and the rest of your body, so that you can be the best that you can be, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Don't wait for your body to tell you something is wrong. Symptoms are just the tip of the iceberg. Your body has usually gone out of alignment a long time before there are any conscious symptoms. Most of the damage of subluxations is never felt at the conscious level. It may just be a poor nervous supply to the pancreas or the bowel, or to the muscles of the upper leg, or maybe the communication link with one of the Chakras is compromised interfering with your ability to engage with the more subtle energies of the universe. We just don't know until it becomes a conscious problem. In our opinion it is obviously easier to deal with misalignments before they become a conscious problem. The benefits of being aligned are endless and include less aches and pains, greater mobility, a better functioning digestive system, sleeping better, improved mood, greater energy, a clearer picture of what you want in life, improved relationships, better quality of life, etc. We can help you keep in alignment but what can you do? There's nothing new here. One of the first things is to be more active. Get the spine moving through a greater range of movement. Attend a Pilate's class, a gentle yoga class, walk, or swim. Then fed your body the nutrients it needs for a healthy spine. This means simply eating a broad range of fresh, whole foods, drink plenty of fresh filtered water, and don't overdo the "bad things". Do some breathing exercises like alternate nostril breathing. Here are two breathing exercises that if practised even for just a few minutes each day will begin to bring some balance to the spine and open the two subtle channels Ida and Pingala. 1. A Simple deep breathing exercise The most basic thing to remember is that your breath begins with a full exhalation. You can't inhale fully until you empty your lungs completely. It is also important to breathe in through your nose. Try this: Sit in a comfortable position with your hands on your knees. Relax your shoulders. On your next exhalation, breathe out slowly through your nose, counting to five. Tense your abdominal muscles, drawing in your diaphragm to help your lungs deflate. At the bottom of your breath, pause for two counts, then, inhale slowly to the count of five. Expand your belly as you breathe in. Now close your eyes and repeat 5-10 times. Think of your diaphragm as the pump. If you find that your mind wanders during this exercise, don't worry. Just re-focus on your counting. An affirmation can be introduced "I am now purifying my mind and body" 2. Alternate nostril breathing Sitting as in exercise 1, bend the first and second finger and lock into position with the thumb, the third and fourth fingers will be free. Holding the third and fourth fingers straight, place the hand near the nose and hold the fingers against the left nostril if you are right handed and the right nostril if you are left handed. Then release the nostril and with your thumb close the opposite nostril. Alternate between the nostrils to get the feel of it. Now you are ready to introduce the breathing exercise with the closing of the alternate nostrils. Close the left nostril and breathe in through the right nostril for a count of 4, or according to your capacity. Then close both nostrils and hold for twice as long as your in-breath, then breathe out through the left nostril for a count of four or whatever was your in breath count. Without pausing breathe in through your left nostril for a count of four and block both nostrils and hold for a count of 8 and release the right nostril and breathe out for a count of four. Repeat this cycle 2 or 3 times. Take care to sit upright with relaxed shoulders so that the energy can radiate up and down the spine. Come on now you owe it to your spine, your health and well being. What can you do for your spine?

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