The Bigness of Vitalism, The Nervous System And Chiropractic

The Bigness of Vitalism, The Nervous System And Chiropractic

Mom & Baby Downdog yoga

The nervous system sits at the magnificent interface between spirit and matter. It is the physical manifestation of consciousness, providing the order and coordination that allow us to self-maintain, self-heal, and adapt to an ever-changing world.

This view — that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts — is called vitalism. Vitalism holds that the body is more than just tissues and chemicals; it is a living, self-organizing system, intimately connected within itself and animated by something greater.

Every part of the body matters, but none functions in isolation. What connects the parts, orchestrates their functions, and links them to the field of consciousness is the nervous system. In chiropractic philosophy, which is grounded in vitalism, this is foundational:

“There exists a Universal Intelligence, present in all matter, continuously giving it all of its animating properties.” — Chiropractic Principle #1, Ralph W. Stephenson

This Universal Intelligence animates all life — whether in rocks, bacteria, or humans — but it is through the human nervous system that this consciousness finds its most refined expression. Unlike a rock, we can move, feel, speak, create, love, and imagine — all because of the differentiated, complex systems working harmoniously inside us. At the helm of this coordination is the nervous system.

The simplicity behind the body’s complexity is this: the nervous system connects it all. It enables cellular healing, organ communication, and adaptation to the environment. But beyond the physical, it connects the human body to consciousness itself, a force far greater than we can fully comprehend.

This is why chiropractic adjustments are so profound. By introducing a corrective force, chiropractors facilitate increased expression of consciousness in the body. The intention and love behind this force are essential, guiding the nervous system to realign, balance, and heal.

Neuroscience explains part of this through neuroplasticity — the nervous system’s ability to rewire itself, form new connections, and dissolve old patterns. When nerve pathways are stimulated, processes like synaptogenesis (the creation of new synaptic connections) take place. This means that through intentional stimulation, we can help the body become more adaptable, resilient, and integrated.

Chiropractic adjustments are one powerful way to support nervous system health, but they aren’t the only way. There are many practices you can incorporate into daily life to cultivate coherence and integrity within your system:

  • Breathwork: Reset the nervous system.

    • Belly Breathing: Place your hands over your belly and take deep, slow breaths, letting the belly expand on the inhale and contract on the exhale.

  • Meditation: Create coherence within the mind-body system.

    • Mercy Meditation: Visualize white light rising from the lower energy centers, descending from the upper centers, and merging at the heart.

  • Functional Stretching: Improve neuromuscular communication.

    • Cervical Resistance Stretches: Gently guide your head and neck with your hand to stretch specific muscles.

  • Functional Movement: Engage the body’s larger systems.

    • Uphill Hiking: Walk a route with elevation, maintaining a neutral spine and engaged core.

  • Core Activation: Build core stability and spinal balance.

    • Pelvic Tilt: Lying on your back, pull your belly button toward your spine and press your lower back into the floor, holding briefly and repeating.

  • Emotional Processing: Create safe spaces for authentic expression.

    • Community Groups: Join or form a group focused on meaningful conversations and shared growth.

  • Mindfulness: Release limiting beliefs and cultivate presence.

    • The Clarity Strategy: Remind yourself that no matter the circumstance, you are never truly alone; consciousness is always available.

When we tend to the health of our nervous system, we amplify our ability to perceive, express, and experience consciousness. We open the door to a fuller, richer life. And when we extend this coherence outward — into our families, communities, and the wider world — we magnify collective healing.

This is the heart of chiropractic philosophy. This is the bigness of vitalism: the understanding that healing moves from the inside out, and as we realign ourselves, we help realign the world.

 

If this resonates with you, don’t wait — take a step today.

Whether it’s booking your next chiropractic adjustment, beginning a daily breathwork practice, or simply sitting in stillness to listen within, know that every small act of care strengthens the coherence of your system. When you invest in your own healing, you also contribute to the healing of the world. Let’s expand our individual and collective vitality — starting now.

Traditional Chiropractic Methods

Traditional Chiropractic Methods

Palmer College of Chiropractic, located in Davenport, Iowa, is renowned as the birthplace of chiropractic, having taught established techniques since its founding in 1895. The foundational techniques known as the Palmer Technique Package remain integral to contemporary chiropractic practice, including our team’s regular use of them.

Traditional chiropractic methods include:

Diversified: involves applying a manual thrust to correct spinal misalignments, based on a thorough spine analysis.

The Diversified Technique is a widely practiced chiropractic method that focuses on the manual adjustment of the spine and other joints to restore proper alignment and function. Developed by Dr. D.D. Palmer, the founder of chiropractic, and refined by subsequent practitioners, the Diversified Technique is characterized by several key features:

1. Hands-On Adjustments: Chiropractors use their hands to apply a quick, precise thrust to specific vertebrae or joints that are identified as misaligned (subluxated).

2. Patient Positioning: Patients are typically positioned lying face down or seated, depending on the area of the spine or joint being adjusted. The chiropractor carefully positions the patient to optimize the effectiveness of the adjustment.

3. Feedback and Sensitivity: Practitioners rely on their tactile sensitivity and feedback from the patient to determine the location and degree of misalignment and to ensure the adjustment is delivered accurately.

4. Individualized Care: Each adjustment is tailored to the patient’s specific needs and condition, based on a thorough assessment of their spine and musculoskeletal system.

The Diversified Technique is known for its versatility and effectiveness in addressing a wide range of spinal and joint issues, aiming to relieve pain, improve function, and promote overall health and well-being through manual manipulation. It is one of the most commonly used chiropractic techniques worldwide.

The Pettibon Technique is a chiropractic approach developed by Dr. Burl Pettibon, focusing on spinal rehabilitation and postural correction. It employs a combination of spinal adjustments, exercises, and rehabilitation techniques to restore proper spinal alignment, improve posture, and enhance overall musculoskeletal function. Central to the Pettibon Technique are specialized devices and equipment designed to assist in spinal adjustments and to aid patients in performing corrective exercises. The goal is to address underlying spinal issues, improve biomechanics, and promote long-term spinal health and stability.

The Gonstead Technique is a specific chiropractic method developed by Dr. Clarence Gonstead in the early 20th century. It focuses on a thorough analysis and precise adjustment of the spine to correct misalignments and improve spinal function. Key aspects of the Gonstead Technique include:

1. Detailed Analysis: The chiropractor performs a comprehensive evaluation of the spine using tools like X-rays, palpation (feeling for abnormalities), and possibly other diagnostic methods to identify specific areas of subluxation (misalignment).

2. Specific Adjustments: Adjustments are made using manual techniques that are precise and targeted to the identified subluxations. Dr. Gonstead emphasized using the hands to deliver adjustments with minimal force, yet with a high degree of accuracy.

3. Patient Positioning: Patients are often placed in specific positions on a specialized table to stabilize and isolate the area of concern, allowing for a more effective adjustment.

4. Post-Adjustment Assessment: After the adjustment, the chiropractor may reassess the patient to ensure proper alignment and function of the spine.

Functional Neurology Chiropractic, also known as chiropractic neurology or functional neurology, is an approach within chiropractic care that focuses on the relationship between the nervous system and overall body function. It integrates principles of neurology, chiropractic, and functional medicine to assess and treat neurological conditions and dysfunctions.

Key aspects of functional neurology chiropractic include:

1. Neurological Assessment: Practitioners conduct detailed neurological examinations to assess brain function, sensory processing, motor control, and other aspects of nervous system function. This may involve specialized tests to evaluate reflexes, coordination, balance, and cognitive function.

2. Chiropractic Adjustments: Similar to traditional chiropractic care, adjustments are used to correct spinal misalignments (subluxations) that may affect nervous system function. These adjustments are believed to optimize nerve communication and promote overall health.

3. Functional Rehabilitation: Treatment plans often include therapeutic exercises, sensory stimulation, and rehabilitation techniques aimed at improving neurological function and restoring normal movement patterns.

4. Individualized Care: Each patient receives a customized treatment plan based on their specific neurological findings and health goals. Functional neurology chiropractors may use a variety of techniques and therapies tailored to address the patient’s unique needs.

Functional neurology chiropractic aims to enhance brain function and nervous system performance, potentially benefiting conditions such as chronic pain, movement disorders, concussion recovery, and neurodegenerative diseases. It emphasizes a holistic approach to health, focusing on improving neurological function to optimize overall well-being

Why should you consider a chiropractic adjustment when experiencing a fever?

Why should you consider a chiropractic adjustment when experiencing a fever?

Why should you consider a chiropractic adjustment when experiencing a fever?

Many holistic-minded parents at Ptak Family Chiropractic in Santa Monica, CA bring their children for chiropractic adjustments when they have a fever. It’s important to note that chiropractors do not treat the fever itself or its symptoms.

A fever is not a disease but rather a natural response of the body to combat infection by raising its temperature. When a healthy body encounters an infection, it initiates a fever to help eliminate the infection. Once the infection is cleared, the fever naturally subsides. Experiencing colds, runny noses, and fevers actually contributes to developing a robust immune system that promotes overall health.

Parents choose chiropractic adjustments for their children with fevers because health relies on the body’s ability to adapt to its environment. The brain, spinal cord, and nerves play a crucial role in this system by detecting infection and signaling the body to initiate and eventually cease the fever. If there is misalignment in the spine or vertebrae, this communication may be disrupted, affecting the body’s ability to regulate the fever effectively. By seeking adjustments, parents aim to optimize communication between the brain and body cells, facilitating the body’s natural healing process.

Chiropractic care does not treat symptoms like fever but focuses on correcting misalignments (subluxations) that may interfere with the body’s innate intelligence and communication pathways. Chiropractors are therefore referred to as “cause adjustors,” aiming to ensure there is no interference between the body’s innate intelligence and its cellular functions.

Birth Healing Summit: Balancing The Nervous System To Handle Daily Stress

Birth Healing Summit: Balancing The Nervous System To Handle Daily Stress

In April of this year, birth practitioners and advocates from all over the world gathered online for a weeklong event called the Birth Healing Summit, created and hosted by Lynn Shulte, P.T. Among the notable appearances and presentations was a spotlight interview with Jeanne Ohm, D.C., editor of Pathways to Family Wellness and executive coordinator of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.

The conversation was insightful and wide-ranging; we felt it deserved a wider audience, so we’re bringing it to you below.

Lynn: Welcome to the Birth Healing Summit. We’re talking with Jeanne Ohm, D.C., about balancing the nervous system so moms can handle daily stressors in life. So, Jeanne, how do we do that as moms?

Jeanne: Well, I’ll begin by saying that I’ve been involved in chiropractic for 40 years, and chiropractic is what led me into natural birthing. I think it’s important for people to understand what chiropractic is, because chiropractic is one way we can balance the nervous system.

A lot of people think, “Oh, you have a bad back. Go to the chiropractor for treatment.” Actually, my story with chiropractic began in that way, after I had fractured my spine hang-gliding. I initially

went through orthopedic procedures and drugs, and after a year I was still hurting. My orthopedic doctor told me, “Oh, honey, you’re gonna have a bad back for the rest of your life.”

Not knowing what to do, I went to a chiropractor who explained to me, “Chiropractic is not about the ‘bad back.’” I remember thinking, “Then what am I doing here?” He said, “We work with the nervous system. As I make adjustments on your spine, that takes pressure off your nervous system and allows you to function better on many levels— physiologically, psychologically, socially, and physically.” It’s unfortunate that people don’t really understand that part of chiropractic. It’s why people might ask, “Why would you bring your baby to a chiropractor; do they have a bad back?” They don’t realize we’re working to enhance the nervous system—the most important system in the body, which runs and controls everything else. When I began to receive chiropractic care as a teenager, my lifelong asthma went away. My allergies and migraine headaches left. Even my menstrual cycle became regular. Then I started to understand what chiropractic was really about. It’s not the treatment of any of those conditions, it’s just the restoration of normal body function, which may manifest in amazing ways and differently for every person.

At the same time as we restore normal function, chiropractic also strengthens the autonomic nervous system’s ability to process future stress. That’s huge for pregnancy, birth, and early bonding. It helps us move out of perpetual fight-or-flight activity that has become an unavoidable part of modern living.

Lynn: Absolutely! So you said chiropractic helped you discover natural birthing for yourself. Can you talk about chiropractic as it relates to a more physiological birth?

Jeanne: One aspect of birth that’s particularly relevant is the topic of dystocia, or the cause for birth to slow down and stop progressing. Williams Obstetrics defines dystocia as being related to three aspects of birth: power, passage, and passenger.

Power is how the uterus is functioning and the ability of the cervix to dilate. It’s an intelligent physiological process that’s coordinated through the activity of the nervous system. If a pregnant mom’s spine is out of alignment, or if she is experiencing undue stress and perceived danger in her environment, her nervous system will shift out of its ideal physiological state for giving birth.

A subluxation, or misalignment of the spine, can cause the body to signal a fight-or-flight response, just as external stressors in the birth environment can and often do. Going back to

the importance of the autonomic nervous system, if the mother is in this state of fight-or- flight during labor, the cervix won’t dilate effectively, and the uterus’s function will begin to shut down.

Usually, if the birth is at the hospital, the hospital staff will say early on, “Well, you’re not progressing here and we have do something to get things moving.” In reality, what’s most needed is to calm the environment, wait for the nervous system to catch back up, and allow the mother to regain autonomic balance. It would be great if there was a chiropractor at every birth, to assure that autonomic balance was achieved for every birthing mother.

So, that’s the power of chiropractic in birth, relating back to the importance of the power of the uterus and the ability of the cervix to dilate.

Passage, the second component related to dystocia, is all about the pelvis. Now, if the pelvis is out of alignment, perhaps from early accidents in life or due to modern habits like prolonged sitting and poor posture—something we are all familiar with—then it’s going to be harder for the mother and baby to successfully birth. Williams Obstetrics states: “A misaligned pelvis makes birth difficult.” Chiropractors agree, absolutely. And that’s what we do as chiropractors—we adjust the pelvis and bring it back into balance. This also allows the baby, the passenger, to assume an ideal position with respect to the birth process.

Williams Obstetrics says, “The passenger can affect or contribute to dystocia or labor slowing down.” Well, now we know why. When the pelvis is out of alignment, different ligaments and muscles connected to the pelvis start pulling the uterus in a certain way, putting tension on the uterine environment and inhibiting the baby from assuming an ideal position for birth. When we align the pelvis, we actually improve the baby’s ability to get into his or her preferred position for birth, which is almost always headdown, occiput anterior. It’s amazing to me how chiropractic is not yet utilized for every pregnancy, not only to assure a safer, easier birth, but to help show mothers the magnificent intelligence present within the body during birth. In the months before birth, when the baby is trying to find an ideal position, we can see the value of chiropractic care for both mom and baby really shine through.

Addressing the power, passage, and passenger of birth with chiropractic means getting the nervous system working again so that ideal physiological function is present, getting the spine aligned so no internal stressors interfere with that function, and aligning the pelvis so that the

optimal passage exists for the baby to align with and traverse through during birth. All this amounts to excellent preparation for natural birth.

Lynn: You mention a lot about the social vagus in your work. Can you tell us more about that and how it relates to those early moments of life after birth?

Jeanne: So most people are familiar with the two branches of the autonomic nervous system: the parasympathetic and the sympathetic branches. Well, a researcher named Stephen Porges has hypothesized a third branch, called the vagal branch. It’s dedicated to our social interactions, and is therefore often called the “social vagus.” The idea used to be that the sympathetic nervous system handled life’s stressors while the parasympathetic system handled life’s regenerative functions. However, the key new finding from social vagus research shows that all three systems can and will respond to stress in their own unique way, but that the body prefers to use the newest evolutionary system—the social vagus— to process and adapt to most of life’s stressors. Only if the social vagus fails to satisfy our biological needs will the body resort to the older, less-preferred branches of the nervous system, the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, respectively. In other words, the nervous system prefers to work hierarchically, from its newest to its oldest systems, for dealing with stress and satisfying needs.

A great example is in healthy infants, who will first attempt using the social vagus branch of their nervous system to get their biological needs met, by using subtle communications and vocalizations—expressions that are controlled by the vagus nerve. If this method fails them, which it often may, infants will resort to crying and screaming, indicative of the sympathetic branch of the nervous system being active. Usually, this sympathetic approach will solve the problem. However, when it doesn’t, and their needs are still not met for a sufficiently long period of time, then the infant will resort to what’s called “parasympathetic shutdown,” which is the body’s oldest stress-management system. It goes back to the reptilian “freeze” response. Often, parents and professionals will interpret this latter systemic response as a positive form of “self- soothing.” In reality, it’s a sub-optimal nervous system state of being, and a last resort for dealing with unresolvable stress.

All this relates directly to birth and those early moments of life, because the methods babies adopt for dealing with stress become conditioned as the preferred method moving forward. Looking at the world today, it’s apparent that the social vagus method of stress management, including calm communication and social interaction, is in short supply.

John Chitty, Ph.D., has looked extensively at the issue of the hierarchical nervous system and the vagus nerve as it relates to birth. At birth we often cut the cord right away. We sever the connection and even separate the baby from his mother to wash the vernix off, inject him with foreign elements, circumcise him or perform other interventions— all of which are profoundly intense and far beyond the social vagus’s ability to adapt. The result is that the baby’s nervous system gets primed, right from day one, to employ the sympathetic fight-or-flight or the parasympathetic shutdown responses to life and its stressors. The ideal response, and the biologically appropriate one, is provided by the activation of the vagus nerve, opening up the social responses and cues that come naturally whenever we allow the mother and baby to bond and look at each other in the eyes in peace and quiet. It’s what midwives have been encouraging mothers and babies to do for as long as they’ve been around the birth setting.

Think about it: All throughout pregnancy, the baby has been hearing the mother’s voice, the rhythm of her heartbeat. He’s tasted and smelled her presence in the womb, has felt her movements, and experienced the world through mom’s experience. Connecting to the mother after birth is so important to offer a smooth, even pleasurable transition into the world, and this allows the baby to open up and activate the social vagus portion of the nervous system, bringing it to its fullest expression. All this can have a tremendous influence for the rest of his or her life. To have that baby right there, physically connected, so that mom can look into that baby’s eyes, and the baby can look back and smell and feel and taste and know that she’s close to home… that’s what opens up this higher level in the nervous system. It allows us to connect with our environment better, with other people, and communicate in an embodied, nonverbal way. This is higher social functioning.

With typical birthing in the modern world, we’ve been separating babies from their mothers and robbing them both of this sacred connection— in effect, shutting down their higher nervous systems and encouraging them to employ the more primitive aspects. Recovering from this and helping families come back into higher social functioning becomes a primary concern. Chiropractors know the importance of this and can offer practical solutions. And so we can see the importance of chiropractic care, not only for pregnancy and birth, but for the early years of life to assure that we establish healthy nervous system function and wake the child up to the higher functioning that’s innate to our species. Having a chiropractor at birth, especially if the birth is traumatic, can do so much for the baby’s nervous system and to wake up the social vagus whenever it gets violated or circumvented by extreme birth conditions. This is so vital for

future bonding and things like nursing, and for thriving. It’s amazing to see positive changes happen in practice, it’s really kinda cool to witness it and be a part of it.

Lynn: That’s incredible! And just to mention, also, the fact that walking into a hospital to have a birth can lead to trauma because hospitals see birth, intrinsically, as a medical event, through their pathogenic model. Birth is deemed a medical event from which we must be “saved.”

Jeanne: Right, pathogenesis is fear-based. It assumes something is wrong. Birth has no place in that pathogenic model. I believe we are in a cultural transition away from pathogenesis, toward a new model called salutogenesis, where we recognize the source, or foundation, of health as something to be worked with in its own right. It’s really about respecting and honoring normal physiological function that’s been around for millions of years. The greatest evidence- based science that exists is normal physiology. This understanding really goes beyond birth and into our life as a whole, and our ability to be effective mothers and guardians of our inherent power as a species.

This article was adapted from the Birth Healing Summit interview with Jeanne Ohm, D.C., and Lynn Schulte, P.T. Discover more at Instituteforbirthhealing.com.

 

Can Chiropractic Help Improve Breastfeeding?

Can Chiropractic Help Improve Breastfeeding?

As any new breastfeeding mother will tell you, breastfeeding is hard work. Not only that, but breastfeeding can frequently suffer from unexpected problems. It is recommended that you make an appointment with a certified lactation consultant if you are experiencing any struggles with breastfeeding, but what else can you do? 

Your chiropractor can also play a role in improving your breastfeeding relationship with your baby.

Chiropractic for your baby

Birth itself can be very traumatic for an infant, no matter if you had the most natural birth, or a c-section. This trauma can cause abnormal functioning in his or her spine, and musculoskeletal system. This can cause problems such as torticolis, also known as “twisted neck”, the inability to open the mouth wide enough, or muscle tightness in the jaw, and/or neck due to tongue tie. Adjustments for your baby can help to relax these muscles and allow for breastfeeding to occur more naturally. You may be concerned that an adjustment for a baby would be too rough, but your chiropractor will not use the same amount of pressure that they would on an adult. Adjustments for infants are gentle and relaxing.

Chiropractic for the mother

Sometimes a mother’s inability to make enough milk for her baby is the problem. 

 La Leche League international says, “The mother’s milk supply and let down are neurologically controlled. They may respond to chiropractic adjustment, craniosacral technique, or acupressure, as well as the more traditionally utilized herbs and medications. Ergonomics-how the mother holds her own and her baby’s body while breastfeeding-are very important. Pain may influence her let down reflex and, consequently, her milk production.” (1)

There have even been several case studies that showed mothers increasing milk supply after starting chiropractic treatment. (2)

Certainly, experiencing any problem with breastfeeding can be incredibly stressful, which can also affect milk supply. Studies have found that patients, after receiving a chiropractic neck adjustment, had altered brain activity in the parts of the brain responsible for pain processing and stress reactions. They also had significantly reduced  cortisol levels, indicating decreased stress. Participants also reported lower pain scores and a better quality of life after treatment.” (3)

Learning to breastfeed can be frustrating for you and your baby. However, most breastfeeding challenges can be overcome with patience, and adjusting subluxations to allow for the optimal functioning of the breastfeeding process.