Indirectly chiropractic can influence organ function.  Dr. Henry Widsor, MD performed a medical experiment in 1921 and  concluded that degenerated and misaligned spines have high correlation with disease process not only of musculoskeletal structure but organs too. Organ function can be influenced by chiropractic treatment.

How can chiropractic influence organ function?

There is an indirect connection between your spine and your internal organs.  Internal organs are connected to the brain via the spinal cord and through nerve ganglia and plexuses (we may call those smaller brains that directly affect the organs).  Without the right signals from the brain however our organs cannot function at their optimum.  Keeping the spine free of nerve interference as well as restoring the proper curves in the spine is what chiropractors do.  Chiropractic adjustments correct miss alignments in the spine, thus preventing degeneration and slowing disease processes in bone, muscle and organs.

How subluxation can influence organ function?

When a subluxation is present musculoskeletal factors interfere with the normal function of the nerves.  Examples of musculoskeletal factors are: misalignment of adjacent vertebra, spasm of muscles over the misalignment site, inflammation of tendons, and swelling of the joint capsule which all cause nerve irritation and nerve interference. This nerve interference affects the nerve ability to transmit information directly to the bones, muscles and skin and indirectly through the ganglia to the organs.

Symptoms associated with specific nerve roots. (Curtsey of Dr. Edward Burt, DC)

26 nerve levels provide neurological supply to vital organs and musculoskeletal system.  Here are the symptoms associated with each nerve root.

C1– blood supply to the head, pituitary gland, brain, face, middle ear and sympathetic nervous system.  Possible Symptoms: headaches, insomnia, head colds, ear infections, dizziness or vertigo.

C2– eyes, optic nerve, auditory nerve, sinuses, forehead.  Possible Symptoms: eye trouble, earache/infections, sinus trouble, allergy

C3-cheeks, outer ear, face bones, teeth. Possible Symptoms: neuralgia, acne, eczema

C4-nose, lips, mouth, Eustachian tube.  Possible Symptoms: head fever, hard of hearing, chronic runny nose

C5-vocal cords, neck, glands, pharynx. Possible Symptoms: hoarseness, laryngitis, chronic sore throat

C6-neck muscles, shoulders, tonsils. Possible Symptoms: stiff neck, pain and tingling in the arm, hoarseness, tonsillitis, chronic coughs, croup

C7-thyroid gland, bursae in the shoulders and elbows. Possible Symptoms: thyroid conditions, bursitis, laryngitis

T1-arms including elbows, wrists, fingers, esophagus and trachea. Possible Symptoms: asthma, cough, difficulty berating, pains in arms and hands

T2-heart including the valves and covering, coronary arteries. Possible Symptoms: functional heart conditions and chest conditions

T3-lungs, bronchial tubes, pleura, chest, breast. Possible Symptoms: bronchitis, chest congestion, pneumonia, influenza

T4-gallblader, common duct. Possible Symptoms: gallbladder conditions, jaundice, shingles

T5-liver, solar plexus, general circulation. Possible Symptoms: liver conditions, blood pressure problems, poor circulation, arthritis.

T6-stomach. Possible Symptoms: nervous stomach, indigestion, IBS, heartburn

T7-pancreas, duodenum. Possible Symptoms: ulcers, gastritis

T8-spleen, diaphragm. Possible Symptoms: lowered resistance, hiccoughs

T9-adrenal and suprarenal glands. Possible Symptoms: allergies, hives

T10-kidneys. Possible Symptoms: kidney troubles, hardening of the arteries, chronic tiredness, nephritis

T11– kidneys, ureters. Possible Symptoms: acne, pimples, eczema, boils

T12-small intestines, lymph circulation. Possible Symptoms: rheumatism, gas pains, certain types of sterility

L1-large intestine, inguinal rings. Possible Symptoms: constipation, colitis, diarrhea, hernia

L2-appendix, abdomen, upper leg. Possible Symptoms: crams, difficulty breathing,  minor  varicose veins

L3-sex organs, uterus, bladder, knees. Possible Symptoms: bladder troubles, painful or irregular menstruation, miscarriages, bed wetting, many knee pains

L4-prostate, muscles of the lower back, sciatic nerve. Possible Symptoms: difficult or painful urination, lower back pain, sciatica

L5-lower legs, ankles, feet. Possible Symptoms: poor circulation in the legs, cold feet, swallen ankles, weakness in the legs, leg cramps

Sacrum-hip bones, buttocks. Possible Symptoms: sacroiliitis, spinal curvatures

Coccyx-rectum, anus. Possible Symptoms: hemorrhoids, pain at the end of the spine on sitting.

As always choose chiropractic before surgery and medication.  For question or to schedule your appointment today call us or visit us on the web at our San Francisco office.