Hippocrates once said "For the cause of disease look to the spine." The spine contains the spinal cord and nervous system which controls and regulates every function in the body, including the immune system.

The immune system has many functions including fighting off bacteria and viruses, destroying mutant (tumor) cells, and helping to provide general balance in the body. Think of the immune system as a "force field" protecting our bodies from foreign invasion.

Studies have shown that there are nerves going to bone marrow (which makes white blood cells), spleen, lymph nodes, and the thymus gland. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland, the master controllers of the hormone system, are involved with the nervous system, and they affect the immune system. There are actually nervous system cells which attach directly to the bacteria-fighting cells.

Why is it important to know that the nervous system controls the immune system? Disease comes from lowered immune resistance which can be caused by problems with the nervous system. For example, one study out of the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that by cutting off part of the nervous system, the body's resistance is lowered and there is an increase in the amount of tumors in the body.

What about ear infections? Why don't antibiotics work in many cases? If there is a problem with the nervous system, then it can lower the strength of the immune system's "force field" and allow bacteria to take over. Antibiotics may temporarily depress the bacteria, but they do not fix the nervous system problem. Louis Pasteur's dying words were "the microbe is nothing, the terrain is everything." He meant that if our resistance is lowered, then bacteria can take over.

How about allergies? It's the same thing. If the messages from the brain can not get to the immune system organs properly, then our body can not fight off those things that cause allergic reactions.

What does this have to do with Chiropractic? Chiropractors can find problems with your nervous system. Many times, we find that the spine is out of alignment which can cause serious problems with the nervous system, thus affecting the immune system. Once the alignment problems are found, the Chiropractor can help fix them. I have found that by adjusting many young children with gentle, specific techniques, their immune systems become incredibly strong due to the lack of stress on their spine and nervous system. Their bodies can fight off bacteria and other foreign material that cause infections and allergies.

Thomas Edison said "The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the cause and prevention of disease. Dr. Garrow says "Get your kids and yourself checked soon by a Chiropractor to find spinal problems which may cause decreased immunity."

Dr. Tony Garrow practices at the Sea Girt Mall on Hwy. 35 in Wall and focuses on improving the health of the entire family. His mission is to educate as many people as possible about chiropractic and health. Call with any questions at 732-223-1990.