CONNECTIONS to HEALTH

Your Inner Chiropractor On Saturday the 3rd May I gave a talk to a local healing group with the above title. The talk was very well received and Allyn has asked me to write a summary of it for those who couldn't make it and those who wanted something written down. Please remember that this is my interpretation of chiropractic, chiropractic philosophy, the subtle bodies and energies and wellness. Firstly we need to look at what it is that Chiropractors do and what it is that they are really concerned about. On a physical level chiropractors are primarily concerned about the health of your nervous system and the relationship of the joints with each other throughout your body. Let's have a brief look at the nervous system: The system has two main divisions, the central and the peripheral nervous systems. The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. Linked to these are the cranial, spinal, and autonomic nerves, which, with their branches, constitute the peripheral nervous system. The brain might be compared to a computer and its memory banks, the spinal cord to the conducting cable for the computer's input and output, and the nerves to a circuit supplying input information to the cable and transmitting the output to muscles and organs. The peripheral system has 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves. Cranial nerves have their origin in the brain and primarily control the activities of structures in the head and neck. The spinal nerves arise in the spinal cord, 31 pairs radiating to either side of the body. The autonomic nerve fibres form a subsidiary system that regulates the iris of the eye and the smooth-muscle action of the heart, blood vessels, glands, lungs, stomach, colon, bladder, and other visceral organs not subject to wilful control. Although the autonomic nervous system's impulses originate in the central nervous system, it performs the most basic human functions more or less automatically, without conscious intervention of higher brain centres. Because it is linked to those centres, however, the autonomic system is influenced by the emotions; for example, anger can increase the rate of heartbeat. All of the fibres of the autonomic nervous system are motor channels, and their impulses arise from the nerve tissue itself, so that the organs they innervate perform more or less involuntarily and do not require stimulation to function. Autonomic nerve fibres exit from the central nervous system as part of other peripheral nerves but branch from them to form two more subsystems; the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, the actions of which usually oppose each other. For example, sympathetic nerves cause arteries to contract while parasympathetic nerves cause them to dilate. The sympathetic nervous system uses resources and prepares the body for the fight or flight response. The parasympathetic nervous system is more restorative, healing and nurturing. Figure 1 The above chart gives you some idea of how the autonomic nervous system innervates the organs and therefore affects their function. When studying communities that live a more natural lifestyle it has been noted that they tend to be in the sympathetic mode for around 30% of the time and the parasympathetic mode for around 70% of the time. Now I know that I am not unusual when I say that if I have these ratio's reversed then I am lucky. In our culture if we manage to have 30% down time then we are lucky, I am not including sleep time here. What about you? I am sure you don't need me to tell you what the consequences of this are. But I will! That part of the nervous system that uses resources and stimulates the excitable aspect of us is in overdrive. It is the endocrine system that takes the brunt of it with the adrenals working overtime. If left unchecked then it leads to depletion and eventually exhaustion passing through pain and disease on the way. This is a constant drain on our body. On a more philosophical, or even spiritual level. Chiropractors are concerned with the connection between what we term the Innate Intelligence and the Universal Intelligence. In chiropractic terms the Universal Intelligence is the energy behind all things and the Innate Intelligence is the aspect of the Universal Intelligence that resides within each and every one of us down to every little cell. In the bigger picture, chiropractors are about restoring the connection between the Universal and the Innate Intelligences. The Universal energies are mediated throughout the body via the nervous system, every cell has a nerve supple and if this is severed then the cell dies. The main centres of consciousness in human beings are found in the cerebrospinal system and in the upper brain. The cerebrospinal system is the first part of the organism to be developed after conception. From it the entire body materialises. This system is a great generator of electrical energy and has a fantastic network of nerves that serve as connectors. The cerebrum comprises what most people think of as the "brain." It lies in front, or on top of the brainstem and in humans is the largest and most well-developed of the five major divisions of the brain. The cerebrum keeps on generating electrical energy. Through fine nerves this energy is constantly supplied to the organism, providing life force. At the back and at the base of the skull is the cerebellum, the mechanical brain, which is the organ of the subconscious mind, see figure 2. Figure 2 The Subtle Nervous System The functioning of the entire human body is controlled by the cerebrospinal system. Within this system the subtle energy centres (psychic centres) and the subtle nervous systems (nadis) are located. When looking at a chart (see figure 3) depicting these subtle energy centres it is possible to see the close relationship they have with the nerve centres (plexuses) in the autonomic nervous system. Figure 3 Supposing that each chakra along the spine can act as an opening for life energy to flow in and out of it, vitalising the physical body and bringing about development of inner consciousness. This development is thought to be closely related to our physical, mental, and emotional interactions. It is believed we open and close these valves as we think, feel, perceive and experience life. Maybe it is safe to say that a well aligned spine will allow this to occur more freely than one with misalignments, or subluxations as chiropractors would call them. There is possibly a close link between each chakra and an endocrine gland as seen in figure 3. Perhaps there is more to health than we perceive on the physical level! As well as the chakras there is also a subtle nervous system of channels called nadis, and the major three include the sushumna, ida and pingala. The most important is the Sushumna nadi. This flows through the centre of the spinal column. To it are attached the major psychic centres, or chakras, at the front and back of the body. Ida is the 'negative' channel running between the psychic centre at the base of the spine and the left nostril. The energies it carries are cool and calming. Conversely the Pingala is the 'positive' channel and runs from the base of the spine to the right nostril and carries energies that are warm and invigorating. Figure 4 Figure 4 gives us an idea of how these channels are perceived to be situated in the subtle body. Perhaps our innate desire is for these two systems to be aligned so that they function at their optimum and fully integrated so that we can reach our full potential or manifestation of the consciousness can be attained. What is clear is that the body on all levels desires connection between the central nervous system and the autonomic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system and the organs and muscles etc. throughout the entire body. How can we help ourselves become reconnected? Here are some simple ways that you can bring about a better balance within your nervous system: 1. Breathing. Controlled rhythmic breathing will switch off the sympathetic nervous system and allow the parasympathetics to function allowing the body to repair and nurture and itself. Here are two breathing exercises that if practised even for just a few minutes each day will begin this regeneration process. a. 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've emptied 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, e.g. "I am now purifying my mind and body." b. Alternate nostril breathing Sitting as in the previous breathing exercise. Using the third (ring) finger and thumb of the right hand, first, close off the left nostril with the third finger and breathe in through the right nostril for a count of 3 or more if you can), then close both nostrils for 6 (twice as long as the in-breath and then open the left nostril and breathe out for 3 (the same number as the in-breath). Without pausing breathe in through your left nostril for a count of 3 and block both nostrils and hold for a count of 6 and release the right nostril and breathe out for a count of 3. 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. 2. Exercise and movement. Are you aware that if you sit for 3 hours or more during a day that the joints and articulations within the spine begin to develop scar tissue. This scar tissue, if left unchecked, will result in inflammation, limitation of movement and arthritis. What can be done to reverse this scenario? The answer is simple. Visit me every week in my clinic so that I can give you a chiropractic treatment which can reverse these affects! If that is unreasonable than the simple answer is to exercise, or to put it more plainly move!! Rebound exercise, the action of bouncing up and down against gravity, is a simple way of introducing some safe, effective movement without trauma to the musculoskeletal system. Rebound exercisers are basically mini-trampolines, with a surface about eight inches off the floor, on which you can walk, run or bounce. They have the advantage of allowing you to do something else at the same time, like watch TV, listen to music. So it solves the weather and safety issues. As an outdoor exercise, it is really refreshing and addictive! Other options include attending Pilate's classes, go for a walk, and do some stretching mobilisation exercises. There is a link to a site that will give you some useful simple exercises to do at your computer in the resources. 3. Relaxation. Find some way of spending just 10 minutes or so relaxing, maybe with a CD. Emma Hall, who is local to Stone, has produced an excellent CD which has a guided meditation with creative visualisation, go to www.creative-meditation.co.uk, for more information. Another source for a CD on a programme of relaxation techniques and meditations are recorded by Moyra Irving, healer and soul-centred counsellor. These CD's are a wonderful way of allowing the sympathetic nervous system to relax and allow the parasympathetics to begin the process of restoring thereby allowing the reconnection that is desperately needed. Resources: 1. Visit, www.essex.ac.uk/oh/healthinfo/stretches.htm 2. Visit, www.chakraenergy.com 3. Book, Chakras Energy Centres of Transformation by, Harish Johari Buy from Amazon   4. Book, Realise Your Inner Potential, by George King and Richard Lawrenceichard Lawrence: Realise Your Inner Potential Buy from Amazon

© The Ishta Centre, 26 Kings Avenue, Stone, Staffordshire, ST15 8HD