When we talk about healing in chiropractic, it’s all about neurology.
Neurology connects the structure of the spine with the deeper concept of subluxation, and that’s where the magic happens. It’s not just about realigning vertebrae; it’s about understanding the communication pathways within the entire nervous system. The principle at the core of chiropractic neurology is simple but powerful: force creates motion, and that motion isn’t just physical—it’s a conversation happening throughout the body through the neural networks.
Force is more than just something that moves bones. It’s a form of communication, vital to how the body functions and stays healthy. And when that communication breaks down, things start to go wrong.
The Consequences of Disrupted Force
When the body can’t handle the forces acting on it, a cascade of issues follows:
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Vertebral Subluxation: Misaligned vertebrae become noticeable. Neurological tone changes
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Structural Deformities: The body starts to show altered and inefficient positions
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Erratic Joint Movement: Joints no longer move smoothly, creating compensations
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Overloaded by Gravity: The body struggles to support its own weight, overworking certain muscle groups
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Adaptive Distortions: The body shifts and distorts itself, showcasing its innate intelligence by trying to manage the stress.
The body’s adaptability is impressive, but these distortions come at a cost. Chiropractic care helps by realigning those structures, but it’s the understanding of how and why these misalignments happen that takes us deeper into neurology.
BJ Palmer’s Vision: More Than Just Aligning Bones
If we take a trip back to 1933, we see how BJ Palmer’s philosophy revolutionized chiropractic care. In a Lyceum lecture that year he was emphatic describing the differences between misaligned vertebra and vertebral subluxations. He moved us away from the idea that a subluxation was just about a bone out of place pinching a nerve. BJ understood something bigger: subluxations weren’t random; they were the body’s response to an overwhelmed nervous system. Misalignments are the body’s way of protecting itself, even if it sacrifices proper spinal alignment to do so.
BJ taught us that chiropractic is about much more than realigning bones—it’s about clearing the way for the body’s natural intelligence to flow. When you look at it through that lens, every adjustment you make isn’t just mechanical; it’s about restoring the body’s ability to heal itself.
Key Takeaways from BJ Palmer’s Philosophy
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Spinal Misalignments: They’re not just accidents. They’re the body’s response to stress.
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Innate Intelligence: The body is constantly working to protect and heal itself. It has its own wisdom.
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Universal Connection: The body isn’t separate from its environment. Everything is connected, and true health comes from understanding that connection.
A Vitalistic Approach to Health
Chiropractic care is about more than adjusting vertebrae—it’s about respecting the body’s natural intelligence and working with it to restore balance. When we focus on neurology, we’re tapping into the body’s inherent wisdom, allowing it to heal, adapt, and thrive.
This vitalistic approach challenges the traditional views of health and healing, pushing us to see beyond the surface. It’s not just about treating symptoms or realigning bones. It’s about understanding the deeper connections between the nervous system, the body, and the environment, and using that understanding to support the body’s natural flow of energy and intelligence.
The Intersection of Neurology and Chiropractic
The beauty of chiropractic neurology is that it opens up a whole new understanding of the human body. It pushes us to recognize the complexity and resilience that’s at play every time we make an adjustment. As we continue to explore the neurological side of chiropractic care, we uncover more about the body’s incredible ability to heal itself. And in the end, that’s what it’s all about—helping the body do what it’s designed to do: heal, adapt, and live in balance.
Embracing this vitalistic, neurological perspective is what sets your practice apart. Keep exploring, keep learning, and keep helping your patients thrive. Chat with our team today or take our Practice Blocker Quiz to see if scanning is right for your practice.
