In this chapter we will examine the close relationship between the spinal column and the nervous system.

The nervous system controls and coordinates the function of all the cells, organs and systems of the human body. Therefore, taking care of your spine amounts to taking care of your nervous system, which in turn promotes the optimal functioning of your body.

The spinal column is not only a support system for the human body; it also serves as a protective shield for the nervous system. It contains the fragile spinal cord, whose role is to transmit vital nerve impulses between the brain and the organs (by way of the nervous roots branching out from the spinal cord and passing through the intervertebral foramina).

The spine is a highly flexible structure, which gives mobility to the body. But when one or more vertebrae lose their normal position, nerves can become irritated.

Considering that the nervous system controls all bodily functions, these irritations can cause malfunction of the tissues and organs throughout the body.

These disturbances may cause acute or chronic pain, or even malfunction of various organs.
However, these problems often remain dormant for a long time, giving rise to neither pain nor discomfort in the affected vertebral zone. In chiropractic language, these biomechanical problems (vertebral misalignments) are known as vertebral subluxations.

Subluxations can be caused by several factors:

• Incorrect posture
• Physical exercise done improperly
• Falls
• Accidents
• Pregnancy or difficult labor for the mother
• Trauma to infant, e.g. vacuum extraction or use of forceps

Due to age, vertebral mobility generally diminishes, thus causing subluxations.

The doctor of chiropractic’s mission is to locate and correct vertebral subluxations so the spine may recover its normal range of motion and so the nerves may function normally.