Unleashing Your Body's Superpower: How Chiropractic Care Can Tame Your Stress

Understanding Polyvagal Theory and Chiropractic: Regulating Your Stress Response

Today, we're going to dive into the fascinating topic of polyvagal theory and its relationship to chiropractic care. As a chiropractor, my goal is to assist people in managing their stress response, and understanding this theory sheds light on how our bodies react to stress.

 Polyvagal theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, focuses on the 10th cranial nerve (Vagus nerve), which carries information between two parts of our autonomic nervous system: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. This theory recognizes that our stress response isn't limited to three distinct states, but rather involves multiple steps on a ladder.

 When we perceive stress, we may enter a heightened state, becoming hypersensitive to our surroundings (represented by the orange / alert state on the traffic light). This leads to the fight-or-flight response, represented by the colour red. However, as the stress diminishes, we should ideally transition back to the orange  ( the alert state) or even the green zone (relax and calm mode), where healing and recovery occur. Stress can arise from various sources such as people, places, and social situations, impacting our resting state.

 This is where chiropractic plays a role in regulating our response to stress based on polyvagal theory. Chiropractic adjustments have the remarkable ability to reset our autonomic nervous system, among other parts of our nervous system. Many patients have reported feeling a sense of calm and relief after adjustments, symbolizing the steps of the polyvagal theory bringing them down to a more relaxed state.

Beyond the physical adjustments, chiropractic care also considers the neurological impact of these treatments. By resetting the nerve system, adjustments can potentially influence how we interpret and respond to stress. The ultimate goal is to bring ourselves down to the orange or green state on the ladder, where our stress response is appropriate and manageable.

To provide comprehensive care, our clinic utilizes advanced technology to monitor and optimize your nervous system's ability to regulate stress. By addressing mechanical function and overall well-being, we aim to empower your body to navigate stress effectively.

 A real-life example demonstrates the effectiveness of chiropractic care in regulating stress. One of our long-term clients recently experienced a highly stressful period in her life. Recognizing the need for support, she sought chiropractic adjustments, bodywork, and mental-emotional assistance. During her six-month review, we were thrilled to discover that despite the challenges, she had landed in the green zone on our stress regulation graph. Her nerve system was effectively managing stress, maintaining a calm baseline.