Unlike those who had recent traumatic injuries to their spine, most of us wonder how we ended up in pain. Commonly, these painful conditions are our response to the physical, emotional and mental stresses of life. This involuntary response causes interference to our nervous system. Since the nervous system is the master control center of our body, it is in charge of all voluntary and involuntary actions required. Our nervous system not only governs the healthy function of the musculoskeletal system, but also the organs, glands and tissues connecting through the 31 pairs of spinal nerves.
In health, our ability to move about is largely governed by a properly functioning nervous system that contracts our muscles at will. Once the desired motion is complete, healthy muscles return to a state of relaxation. When a muscle “forgets” how to relax on its own, one of 3 documented “primary involuntary reflexes" has become habitually engaged. This causes unhealthy tense, and weak, muscle patterns which lead to pain and adversely affect the healthy function of our entire body.
The first of our 3 primitive reflexes is called the "trauma reflex". This reflex is engages after a physical trauma where the muscles around an injured area contract, creating a natural splint to protect the body from further damage. This is an expression of our body’s innate healing wisdom. Quite often, long after the injury is healed, the muscles are still partially contracted.
The second, or "startle reflex", manifests as a type of stop/alert/red light response to mental and emotional stress...or fear. This involuntary response causes a contraction of the front torso muscles, creating a pulled forward and inward fetal posture of protection. We see the long term result of this reflex as the hunched back posture in the elderly. This causes our back muscles to work over-time in order to hold us up and closes us down in the chest area making it difficult to breath properly.
The third, or "landau reflex", engages when we are running on adrenaline (especially Type A personalities). This is a type of “green light…go” action reflex, as we are trying to keep up with the fast pace of modern life. This causes a contraction of the back's extensor muscles, pulling us into a "sway back" posture, which ultimately causes low back pain and other symptoms.
Over time, the accumulated affects of these three involuntary reflexes, as well as repetitive motions and other factors, cause nerve interference resulting in symptoms and “dis-ease”.
See “Common Causes of Symptoms”
