I’m sure you’re asking, “What’s the connection between the upper cervical spine and superpowers?” Well, let me start from the beginning and explain.

In case you haven’t noticed, the hottest movies in the theaters the past few years have often been about superheroeswith specialpowers saving lives. Based upon movie ticket sales, it appears that many of us wish we had some superpowers of our own. Well guess what—we do!

I’ll let you in on a little secret.

A recent study from the University of Illinois¹ found that your body’s own nervous system can enhance your superpowers to heal, regenerate, and reduce your risk for health issues.

How?

Well, most of us have recently heard about stem cells being used to regenerate damaged tissue, grow new bone marrow, and much more. Researchers have confirmed that stem cells are controlled by our nervous system—specifically the brain stem—which is located at the junction between the head and neck. This is commonly referred to as upper cervical.

Can Upper Cervical Care Help You Target Your Stem Cells?

Elizabeth Davis, who is a researcher in the Neuroscience Program at the University of Illinois and co-author of the study stated, “If we could find a way to target and control stem cell proliferation in the body, there could be potential medical benefits, including turning off the proliferation of cancer tissues.”

A key fact to keep in mind is that the autonomic part of the nervous system controls all of our unconscious functions. Things like circulation, breathing, digestion, release of hormones, etc. After all, when was the last time you had to tell your body to digest your food, mend a broken bone, or heal a cut? You can thank your nervous system for handling all that for you…automatically. That’s assuming that your nervous system is functioning optimally. More on that later.

Megan Dailey, assistant professor at U. of Illinois and coauthor of the stem study stated that, “The ANS (autonomic nervous system) isn’t controlled by itself—it’s controlled by the brain and the central nervous system.” Much of the control for the ANS happens at the brain stem, which is located in the upper cervical region, where your head and neck connect.

Did You Know That Your Brain Stem Gives Direction to Your Immune System?

Other studies have shown that this same upper cervical-brain stem area is the communication center between our brain and our immune system.^2,3,4,5,6  Said another way…your nervous system controls and coordinates your immune system.

Your nervous system is to your immune system like the conductor is to the orchestra. The autonomic part of your nervous system tells the immune system what song to play, when and how to play it, and, just as importantly, when to stop. The last thing you need if you’re trying to be and stay healthy is to have an immune system that is running amuck without any direction or coordination with the rest of the body.

Want to Turn On Your Superpowers?

If you want to have a strong immune system, you need to have an optimally functioning nervous system. That fact puts the spotlight right back on the upper cervical area. The upper cervical area and brain stem is to the immune system what Johnson Space Center in Houston was to the Apollo Moon mission. It’s where the magic happens!

Knowing these facts…isn’t it about time you had your upper cervical area checked? You can contact us at THRIVE Head & Spinal Care in San Antonio, TX?

1.     Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2018 Oct 1 A direct effect on the autonomic nervous system on somatic stem cell proliferation?

2.     Nihon Rinsho Meneki Gakkai Kaishi. 2017;40(5):352-360. The interface between the immune system and autonomic nervous system.

3.     Compr Physiol. 2014 Jul;4(3):1177-200. Autonomic nervous system and immune system interactions.

4.     Brain Behav Immun. 2007 Aug;21(6):736-45. Autonomic innervation and regulation of the immune system (1987 – 2007).

5.     Neuron. 2009 Oct 15;64(1):28-32. The neurology of the immune system: neural reflexes regulate immunity.

6.     Neuroimmunomodulation. 1995 Jul-Aug;2(4):203-15. The autonomic nervous system as a communication channel between the brain and the nervous system.