It has been discovered that there are times when our musculoskeletal system, nervous system, internal organ and biochemical system simply remain in a heightened state of activity after an injury. This can be understood by acknowledging our own body’s decision to never let an injury of such magnitude happen to it again. It puts itself into a high fright-flight-fight state of readiness, and it stays there, always ready and alert for what it believes will be the next time, whether the next time ever happens or not. Now, you might say, “what’s wrong with that?” Nothing, except it’s equivalent to continually running a car at 60 mph in first gear! The car eventually wears out, and so does the body. Therapy must sometimes be enacted to settle the system down. This in turn can help decrease excessive or unwarranted pain and inflammation anywhere in the body.
A hyper reaction can overshoot the body’s needs, unable to calm down. This eventually involves all aspects of the anatomy, all the way down to a hyperactivity of the nervous system and the neurotransmitters that regulate the nervous system. Serotonin, a “feel good” calming neurotransmitter can be adversely influenced, along with dopamine and norepinephrine. This in turn can begin to alter our mind, thought and emotions. Depression and anxiety are two possible psychological results from a hyper reactive protection and withdrawal. (See Part III, next issue)
(Dr. Richard Hanson, chiropractor in Jamestown, New York, can be reached at (716)664-0445. Most major insurances are now being accepted.)
