Hey everybody, Dr. Rick here! Today, I want to continue our discussion on the nervous system, focusing on some big-picture concepts that are essential for understanding chronic illness, stress, and overall health. When we think of the nervous system, we often picture the brain and spinal cord. While that’s true, there’s much more to it. The nervous system is made up of several key components that play a crucial role in conditions like anxiety, depression, autoimmune diseases, and the mystery illnesses that so many people experience today. The Limbic System: The Emotional Regulator The first component we’ll explore is the limbic system, a part of the brain located deep down, just above the brainstem. This system is heavily involved in emotional regulation and safety. That’s right--safety is a recurring theme in all the nervous system's functions, and we’ll come back to this idea throughout the discussion.
The limbic system is constantly asking: Am I safe? It does this by processing emotional responses to life’s stressors. If this system is out of balance, you might find it difficult to handle stress, and your emotional regulation can suffer. That’s why the limbic system is so central to conditions like anxiety and depression. The Polyvagal System: Interpreting Safety Through Social Cues Next, let’s talk about the vagal system, or more accurately, the polyvagal system. When I was in school, we were taught the vagus nerve was just one nerve, but now we know it’s actually a network of nerves that perform a range of fascinating functions. One of the most interesting things about the polyvagal system is how it determines whether or not you are safe by interpreting social cues, particularly facial expressions. During the COVID pandemic, with everyone wearing masks and glasses, the polyvagal system was thrown off its game. The inability to read facial expressions disrupted many people’s ability to feel safe. Another vital role of the polyvagal system is in the freeze response—that overwhelming feeling when you can’t seem to take action or move forward. While this is a survival mechanism, for many people, it can become an overactive response, leaving them stuck and unable to cope with stress. The Autonomic Nervous System: Rest, Digest, and Fight or Flight Finally, there’s the autonomic nervous system, which controls all the processes you don’t think about—like breathing, heartbeat, and digestion. This system is also responsible for the famous “fight or flight” response and the “rest and digest” state. Essentially, it’s another part of your nervous system that’s constantly asking, Am I safe? When the autonomic nervous system is dysregulated, it can wreak havoc on your health. Chronic stress, illness, or trauma can trigger this system into a constant state of fight or flight, preventing your body from truly resting or healing. The Nervous System Trifecta: Are You Safe? What ties the limbic, polyvagal, and autonomic systems together is their role in answering one fundamental question: Are you safe? For so many people going through crises, chronic illness, or major stress, the nervous system is often stuck in a state where the answer to this question is no—and that answer exists far below our conscious awareness. This is why many therapies, whether they involve supplements, medications, or even cutting-edge treatments like ozone therapy and neural feedback, don’t fully resolve the issue. These therapies are like band-aids, treating the symptoms without addressing the root cause. Finding True Vitality Through Nervous System Coherence At our office, we focus on helping you bring all these interrelated systems--autonomic, polyvagal, and limbic—into coherence. This is what allows your body, mind, and spirit to function as a unified whole, enabling you to regain your adaptability and flexibility in handling stress. When your nervous system is in a state of balance, true healing and vitality are possible. So, if you’ve been trying various treatments without seeing the results you’re hoping for, it’s time to dig deeper. We specialize in working with these underlying systems to help you reconnect to your health and vitality at the root level. Remember, the key to unlocking health is ensuring your nervous system is in a state of safety and coherence. That’s where true transformation begins. Curious how your healing journey will look? Schedule your Free Consult with Dr. Rick where you will learn more about Network Spinal Analysis and what a personalized care plan will look like for you.
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