You may have heard the expression “phantom limb” — what on earth could that mean?
You see, when people suffer the loss of an arm or leg, they may still feel pain or other sensations in the missing body part, because we don’t actually feel things on our body, we feel them in our brain.
Your brain is in charge of running the body, using the spinal cord and nerves as a wiring network to connect everything together. Because all messages come from and go through the brain, it’s essential to keep your brain and nerve system in good working order.
As long as this control center is functioning normally, your body tends to work well. But if anything stresses the system, it will affect the efficiency of your body to heal, regulate itself, and work properly.
There are three causes of stress on the brain and nerve system. There can be emotional or psychological stress, like anxiety, depression or just pressure. There can be chemical or nutritional stress, from eating poorly or taking drugs or other toxic substances. And, there can be physical or mechanical stress, from wear and tear, or large and small injuries to your spine, which is charged with the responsibility of protecting the nerve system.
But no matter the source of the stress, all stress is brain stress. Like with a phantom limb, all sensations are routed through the brain, and it’s essential to have a healthy brain and nerve system if you want a healthy body.
Your doctor of chiropractic is your neighborhood expert on decreasing stress on your brain and nerve system. You and your family will enjoy a better health and wellness when you develop better lifestyle habits — your chiropractor can help you make better choices and decisions, leading to a better quality of life.
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For Your Health,
Dr. Wendy Lanser D.C.