Chiropractic Care and Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity is a very significant function of the brain. It’s how you’ve grown up since birth and learned how to perform basic activities as well as handle the more difficult responsibilities that come with age. The concept of neuroplasticity is something that’s still prominent in your brain to this day, but it’s entirely possible for this essential process to deteriorate, along with your basic cognitive functions. At Medical Impact Cutler Bay, we want you to know the importance of neuroplasticity and how you can preserve it for a healthy brain.

Neuroplasticity Explained

The average person performs around 50 brain functions at any given time. Yes, we mean simultaneously. One of those functions is the ability to adapt to constant changes in your environment. This is something that occurs from the moment you’re born, allowing you to learn how to walk, talk, eat, any basic activity that you don’t pay much mind to now that you’ve been doing them for many years. This is because neural connections to the brain are created for every new action that you must learn to survive in your day-to-day. Think of it as your brain evolving to create the current “you”.

The idea of neuroplasticity sounds like a wonderful thing, and it is! However, some people encounter negative neuroplasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity degeneration). This normally occurs in people who have suffered a stroke, head trauma, or those who struggle with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Symptoms of negative neuroplasticity include:

• Lack of cognitive function
• Memory loss
• Mental exhaustion
• Brain fog
• Lethargy
• Depression

The Link Between the Spinal Cord and the Brain

What causes neuroplasticity in the first place? The central nervous system is made up of both the brain and our spinal cord. This is because the spinal cord houses the nerves that are connected to the brain. For every function that you learn to perform as you grow, you create a nerve that goes through your spinal cord and transmits messages to your brain to perform the desired action. If your spine becomes out of line, these messages can get disrupted making it difficult for your brain to comprehend what to do.

How Chiropractic Care Can Improve Neuroplasticity

Keeping your spine straight and in good shape is key to a healthy brain because your nerves will have a clear path to their destination. It also opens the way for proper blood flow which is also essential for a working brain, improving memory and cognitive function in the process. Whether you’re looking to recover from physical trauma or want to prevent spinal misalignment, schedule an appointment with Impact Medical Cutler Bay to keep your brain healthy and capable of positive neuroplasticity so you can handle anything that comes your way.