Asthma - The solution is in the function
by Dr. Jason Tabick, D.C.
Hopefully you read my first article on ear infections. If so then you now know that the human body maintains it's own health from the “inside”. As previously explained, the central nerve system (CNS) is the master system that controls the body and through it's command the body listens and is able to “adapt” to the everyday assaults of normal life ie. infections, weather, pollen,etc. A healthy central nerve system eliminates the need for treatments from the “outside in” such as anti-biotics, steroids, inhalers, etc. “Treating” the body with a natural remedy could be safer than medication but unfortunately this, just like medication, is treating a symptom and not correcting the cause of the problem. Let us look into correcting the cause.
Understanding anatomy is understanding why…
We will explain relevant anatomy of the body then detail the function. At the base of the skull you will find the brainstem, a vital extension of the brain and as described by doctor as necessary for maintaining life. The brainstem has 3 major parts. Starting from the top is the mid brain, below is the pons and at the bottom is the medulla oblongata. The medulla oblongata physically exits the skull and becomes the spinal cord. Every single instructional message, ie,heart rate or body temperature from the brain traveling to the body and vice versa must be able to pass without ANY resistance through this extremely vital area where the brainstem and spinal cord meet. Within the medulla oblongata are a group of nerves called the respiratory centers (RCs) of the body, this is the hub of all functions involved with breathing; it sends and receives controlling signals of neural, chemical and hormonal nature to and from the body. It is constantly helping the body to adapt to environmental changes such as exercise, smoke inhalation, sleeping, swimming, coughing, sneezing, increased breathing in danger, swallowing food without choking, etc, by controlling the rate and depth of air exchange using the lungs, tracheal airways, diaphragm and other respiratory muscles. This vital area of the brainstem is ALSO the command center of what is referred to as the autonomic nerve system. These diagrams detail the two divisions that together make up the Autonomic nerve system. These divisions are termed the sympathetic nerve system(the diagram on the right) and parasympathetic nerve system (the diagram on the left). The brainstem/medulla oblongata controls every single process in the body through this autonomic nerve system network.
Understanding anatomy is understanding why…
We will explain relevant anatomy of the body then detail the function. At the base of the skull you will find the brainstem, a vital extension of the brain and as described by doctor as necessary for maintaining life. The brainstem has 3 major parts. Starting from the top is the mid brain, below is the pons and at the bottom is the medulla oblongata. The medulla oblongata physically exits the skull and becomes the spinal cord. Every single instructional message, ie,heart rate or body temperature from the brain traveling to the body and vice versa must be able to pass without ANY resistance through this extremely vital area where the brainstem and spinal cord meet. Within the medulla oblongata are a group of nerves called the respiratory centers (RCs) of the body, this is the hub of all functions involved with breathing; it sends and receives controlling signals of neural, chemical and hormonal nature to and from the body. It is constantly helping the body to adapt to environmental changes such as exercise, smoke inhalation, sleeping, swimming, coughing, sneezing, increased breathing in danger, swallowing food without choking, etc, by controlling the rate and depth of air exchange using the lungs, tracheal airways, diaphragm and other respiratory muscles. This vital area of the brainstem is ALSO the command center of what is referred to as the autonomic nerve system. These diagrams detail the two divisions that together make up the Autonomic nerve system. These divisions are termed the sympathetic nerve system(the diagram on the right) and parasympathetic nerve system (the diagram on the left). The brainstem/medulla oblongata controls every single process in the body through this autonomic nerve system network.
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Think about this. When we eat food the digestive organs must be alerted by the nerves. All the organs involved in digestion such as the pancreas, gall bladder, intestines, stomach and circulatory system,etc are controlled by the nerves that connect to each of them as shown in the diagrams of the autonomic nerve system. **Please note in the diagrams, the organs do not connect to eachother with nerves. The nerves only converge at the brainstem. This configuration shows how important the brainstem really is!
Confusion meant to make things perfectly clear
The following is a short list to help you understand just how extensive the work of the central nerve system actually is. Nothing in our bodies happens without first getting direction from our central nerve system and brainstem!
All of these things described above have one single conductor, the same as a 100 piece symphony orchestra. The conductor is, you guessed it, the brainstem. You can not have healthy working organs without a healthy brainstem and nerve system.
Here is a simple example of how the conductor controls the organs when the body is put on high alert. Here is what happens when we walk down a dark alley way at night alone... The arteries constrict and the heart rate speeds up to increase blood flow to the muscles from the lungs, breathing rate increases as tracheal airways open allowing the lungs to take in more oxygen, increased blood flow also to the capillaries below the skin allowing the body to maintain body temperature by sweating and releasing heat. Even the eye sight changes, the pupils dilate to focus better in far-sight. The vascular system redirects blood focusing it away form the digestive organs and more to the large muscles of armsand legs to be able to run or protect.
These things can happen in an asthmatic patient without any activity or emergency at all, or to an extreme debilitating point with minimal activity. This shows a poor state of health because the body is not being controlled properly by the brainstem from a “blockage” in the nerves.
What protects us can hurt us
This section is a basic explanation of how a "blockage" to the brainstem can occur. The bones that make up the vertebral column are versatile. Most importantly they protect and surround the spinal cord and lower brainstem as they allow the head to move in many directions. Unfortunately the vertebrae can negatively effect the nerve tissue and cause “blockages” or “pressure” on the spinal cord and brainstem.
The first cervical vertebrae called the atlas is a major contributor to the head's ability to move and to protect the medulla as it passes through its center. It does this with multiple connections of ligaments, muscles, tendons, fascia (thick elastic skin) and the surrounding bone itself. At this vital area there exists a delicate relationship between the medulla oblongata and the first cervical vertebrae. Here in orange, the medulla is highlighted to show this relationship.
Confusion meant to make things perfectly clear
The following is a short list to help you understand just how extensive the work of the central nerve system actually is. Nothing in our bodies happens without first getting direction from our central nerve system and brainstem!
- Eyes:R&L eye positions,R&L eyelid strength, R&L eyes focused in same direction, near and far sight focusing are all controlled by cranial nerves directly connected to the brainstem.
- Stomach: contains acid as part of immunity and digestion, mucus prevents ulcerations of the stomach. The mucus and acid are produced under direction of the nerves.
- Large intestine (water/mineral absorption with kidneys, muscular tube that pushes waste) The amount of water to absorb to hydrate the body and muscles that move waste are controlled by the nerves.
- Blood vessels and blood (carry oxygen from a breath of air, made of smooth muscle to regulate blood pressure with heart&kidneys) The amount of oxygen in blood and blood pressure controlled by nerves.
- Trachea (windpipe) (extending into the lungs where gases [O2,CO2] are exchanged with blood) Windpipe opening and closing controlled by nerves.
- Sphincter muscles (ring shaped muscles) of the bladder/anus/stomach,etc (bed wetting, acid reflux, loss of bowel control) All these are muscles controlled by the neves.
- Sleep (sleeping and breathing rhythm controlled by nerves.)
- Adrenal glands of the kidneys (blood pressure regulation with the heart, energy levels with thyroid and liver, has role with thyroid in immune system function, promotes and produces sexual development and function hormones with pituitary and male/female glands, anti-inflammatory mediator, effects bone density by regulating calcium absorption and release from bone). THE NERVES LINK ALL OF THE ORGANS AND CONTROL THESE FUNCTIONS.
All of these things described above have one single conductor, the same as a 100 piece symphony orchestra. The conductor is, you guessed it, the brainstem. You can not have healthy working organs without a healthy brainstem and nerve system.
Here is a simple example of how the conductor controls the organs when the body is put on high alert. Here is what happens when we walk down a dark alley way at night alone... The arteries constrict and the heart rate speeds up to increase blood flow to the muscles from the lungs, breathing rate increases as tracheal airways open allowing the lungs to take in more oxygen, increased blood flow also to the capillaries below the skin allowing the body to maintain body temperature by sweating and releasing heat. Even the eye sight changes, the pupils dilate to focus better in far-sight. The vascular system redirects blood focusing it away form the digestive organs and more to the large muscles of armsand legs to be able to run or protect.
These things can happen in an asthmatic patient without any activity or emergency at all, or to an extreme debilitating point with minimal activity. This shows a poor state of health because the body is not being controlled properly by the brainstem from a “blockage” in the nerves.
What protects us can hurt us
This section is a basic explanation of how a "blockage" to the brainstem can occur. The bones that make up the vertebral column are versatile. Most importantly they protect and surround the spinal cord and lower brainstem as they allow the head to move in many directions. Unfortunately the vertebrae can negatively effect the nerve tissue and cause “blockages” or “pressure” on the spinal cord and brainstem.
The first cervical vertebrae called the atlas is a major contributor to the head's ability to move and to protect the medulla as it passes through its center. It does this with multiple connections of ligaments, muscles, tendons, fascia (thick elastic skin) and the surrounding bone itself. At this vital area there exists a delicate relationship between the medulla oblongata and the first cervical vertebrae. Here in orange, the medulla is highlighted to show this relationship.
The cause of sickness. From a combination of soft tissue connections, pressure from cerebral spinal fluid (this flows through the medulla oblongata down into the spinal cord and vice versa), misalignments of the bones of the spine, a negative resistance or “blockage” to the vital nerve flow traveling from the brain through the brainstem into the body and from the body back into the brain occurs.
This “resistance” to the nerve flow is the same as a resistor in a circuit meant to slow down an electrical current or same as an appliance with a bad plug that is frayed or has a leg of the couch squashing it. We have all touched a bad plug and felt heat coming off of it. This is caused by resistance to the electricity flowing through the wire. The current flowing through the wire is lost as heat. This resistance will affect the ability of the appliance to work and cause a fire hazard at the outlet.
In the human body, there should never be resistance anywhere in the nerve system. This resistance or “pressure” is the single cause that leads to poor health in the body including asthma and many other poor health conditions.
What about my child?
You may be thinking, how can my child have this problem at such an early age? My child has never hurt their neck. Keep in mind the first thing that can affect the upper cervical vertebrae and brainstem is birth. An average of 50lbs of pressure is exerted down axially onto the infant’s skull during birth. This is a considerable amount of stress on the spine as these bones are not yet fully ossified. Even a cesarean section and other assisted birth procedures can affect the newborn's spine. Even small accidents and other stesses can effect the spine during this essentail time of a child's life as it is forming.
So now you may be thinking how do I know if my child is experiencing asthma and related symptoms (increased breathing without or with slight exertion, wheezing while breathing, increased heart rate, frequent cough especially at night, shortness of breath, feeling tired/fatigued, trouble sleeping, feeling upset/moody/grouchy, chest pressure or pain, skin irritations, digestion problems, feeling anxious, digestive and skin irritations from foods, or if you or your child have been treated with vaccinations and/or antibiotic medication) from a problem in the spine?
As a “brainstem specialist” specific chiropractor, this question is the basis of my work. What I do is assess the nerve system using a non-evasive instrument called a Neurocalograph. The neurocalograph measures the output of the nerve system where the upper cervical spine meets the brainstem. If there is any resistance causing a “blockage” to the slightest degree, we will see it. Remember as I pointed out above, In the human body, there should never be resistance anywhere in the nerve system. The neurocalograph is meant to test for this resistance and the adjustment is meant to remove this resistance. Measurements are always taken before and after each adjustment to check progress.
We have a 99% resolution rate with asthma and all related conditions. We offer a complimentary consultation for every new patient. We believe there should be no cost to determine if what we do here can help you or your children. Please call us for an appointment @ 503-679-5035. Email us at [email protected].
This “resistance” to the nerve flow is the same as a resistor in a circuit meant to slow down an electrical current or same as an appliance with a bad plug that is frayed or has a leg of the couch squashing it. We have all touched a bad plug and felt heat coming off of it. This is caused by resistance to the electricity flowing through the wire. The current flowing through the wire is lost as heat. This resistance will affect the ability of the appliance to work and cause a fire hazard at the outlet.
In the human body, there should never be resistance anywhere in the nerve system. This resistance or “pressure” is the single cause that leads to poor health in the body including asthma and many other poor health conditions.
What about my child?
You may be thinking, how can my child have this problem at such an early age? My child has never hurt their neck. Keep in mind the first thing that can affect the upper cervical vertebrae and brainstem is birth. An average of 50lbs of pressure is exerted down axially onto the infant’s skull during birth. This is a considerable amount of stress on the spine as these bones are not yet fully ossified. Even a cesarean section and other assisted birth procedures can affect the newborn's spine. Even small accidents and other stesses can effect the spine during this essentail time of a child's life as it is forming.
So now you may be thinking how do I know if my child is experiencing asthma and related symptoms (increased breathing without or with slight exertion, wheezing while breathing, increased heart rate, frequent cough especially at night, shortness of breath, feeling tired/fatigued, trouble sleeping, feeling upset/moody/grouchy, chest pressure or pain, skin irritations, digestion problems, feeling anxious, digestive and skin irritations from foods, or if you or your child have been treated with vaccinations and/or antibiotic medication) from a problem in the spine?
As a “brainstem specialist” specific chiropractor, this question is the basis of my work. What I do is assess the nerve system using a non-evasive instrument called a Neurocalograph. The neurocalograph measures the output of the nerve system where the upper cervical spine meets the brainstem. If there is any resistance causing a “blockage” to the slightest degree, we will see it. Remember as I pointed out above, In the human body, there should never be resistance anywhere in the nerve system. The neurocalograph is meant to test for this resistance and the adjustment is meant to remove this resistance. Measurements are always taken before and after each adjustment to check progress.
We have a 99% resolution rate with asthma and all related conditions. We offer a complimentary consultation for every new patient. We believe there should be no cost to determine if what we do here can help you or your children. Please call us for an appointment @ 503-679-5035. Email us at [email protected].