Most research into chiropractic care has been focused on pain management. The research has shown chiropractic to be beneficial for relieving neck pain, low back pain, brachial neuralgia, sciatica, and headaches. The reason for research being limited to pain management is due to insurance and billing. The medical system has accepted chiropractic as an alternative treatment for pain symptoms. This means that the insurance companies have funded research in order to create billing diagnoses.
Chiropractic care is about much more than treating pain and getting reimbursed by insurance companies. Chiropractic is about restoring the body to its natural state of healing and functioning. This is accomplished by correcting spinal misalignment’s, or subluxations, that interfere with the communication of the brain to the rest of the body.
Functioning and healing is an electrochemical event. The brain is the central processing unit where actions of internal organs are controlled, while also perceiving everything in the external environment, and doing this while maintaining muscular contractions needed for keeping posture upright. This is why, for the brain to do its job correctly, the human body was designed with optimal spinal alignment to protect the central nervous system, provide a foundation for extremities to move, and do this all under constant forces of gravity. The problem is that we live life in postures and doing activities outside of our design causing shifts in the spinal column that hinders brain function.
The role of the brain in optimizing the human experience has gained notoriety in the scientific community as technology has advanced. What has been found is that the body is capable of defeating any disease or condition known to man, and the only way to take advantage of this innate ability is to optimize brain activity. In measuring brain activity the most common tool used is an electroencephalogram (EEG). An EEG gives insight into the communication between all parts of the brain and this is tracked in wave patterns. These wave patterns include gamma, beta, alpha, theta, and gamma waves.
Beta waves: Beta is where we spend most of our awake time. In this state, we are focused on a task and/or actively thinking. If we remain in this state for too long we start to experience anxiety, depression, and anger. Healing is also hindered in the beta wave state.
Alpha waves: Alpha waves are associated with relaxation. This state is found during yoga, before falling asleep or performing a creative task.
Theta waves: It is in this state in which we gain creativity and insights. This is also known as the daydream state. Experienced mediators are shown to enter this state during practice. Research has shown a strong link between theta waves with memory, creativity, and mental health.
Delta waves: This state is elicited during deep sleep stages. Healing and rejuvenation are maximized during this state as well.
Gamma waves: This is the limitless state or flow state. In this state perception is heightened, learning is optimized, and problem-solving ability peaks. This state has been observed most densely in Buddhist monks.
It is vital for health and healing for a balance to be exhibited within each of these five states. For example, being in Beta for too long is associated with anxiety, and being in Gamma for too long is associated with laziness. People with health problems are shown to have a dis-balance between brainwave states. In 2009 research was completed on 100 patients over a three-year time frame that showed a brainwave balance in participants after a chiropractic adjustment.
This research shows that chiropractic adjustments change brain activity. This balanced brain state is conducive to healing, but also for optimizing the human experience. Imagine if the whole world was in this state of coherence. This is why it is vital for every person to be checked for subluxation. Together we can change the world through improving health, and it all starts with a healthy brain.