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The Music of Our Nervous System

by Dr. Barry S. Weinberg

You might have heard me say that with NetworkSpinal Chiropractic, we are “tuning” the nervous system, and that “the TONE, Tension and Posture of our spine and nervous system determine the TONE, tension and posture of our LIVES.” Current research reveals that this is more factual than metaphor.

Current research from the Niels Bohr Institute of the Copenhagen University has shown that nerves do not transmit information through electrical impulses, as previously thought. They are showing that nerve impulses are actually ACOUSTIC SOUND WAVES that travel on the surface of the nerves like notes on a guitar string!

What does that mean for us and our Health and Wellness? Let’s explore this.

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The Instrument and Its Tuning

You probably have seen a guitar or piano…maybe even played one. You notice they have strings. For the instrument to function properly and sound good, these strings must be “tuned.” This means that the strings have just the right amount of tension to produce the correct note. If the strings are too loose, they are considered “flat” or too low. If the strings are too tight, they are “sharp” or too high. When the guitar or piano is tuned, all the strings are at just the right tension to produce all the right notes. When the instrument is tuned, we get music. When it is out of tune, we get noise.

Now, when we play 3 or more strings or notes at the same time, we hear a chord. Chords are the basis of the harmony of music. Depending on how you combine different notes, you hear different chords — and different types of chords have different sounds and impart different feelings! Major chords are happy and uplifting. You change one note flat and you hear a Minor chord, which feels sad and melancholy. Diminished chords create tension and suspense. You get the idea.

So how does this all relate to your health and wellbeing?

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Your Nervous System as an Instrument

A nervous system and its surrounding tissues and organs function differently depending on the degree of tension they hold. A stressed, tense spine and nervous system function very differently than one in a state of ease. The opposite of ease is dis-ease. All illness, dysfunction and unhealed injuries occur when the nervous system is stuck in adverse tension.

Why? A stressed nervous system is not concerned with healing and health. It is concerned with survival! On an unconscious level, when in a state of tension, the body perceives that it is threatened and in danger. And when in danger, the body enters the fight-or-flight survival response in which all healing functions, the immune system and digestion are reduced or turned off completely. Ever wonder why you usually get sick or injured when you’re stressed?!

On the other hand, a body in a state of ease heals quickly and becomes stronger and healthier!

Since we also experience our world and respond to these experiences through our nervous system, we will also experience and respond to our lives differently, depending on the degree of tension they hold. If our nervous system and tissues are tuned to a “major chord,” we will experience joy and feel uplifted! If our nervous system is tuned to a “minor chord,” we experience sadness and feel downtrodden.

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You Can See the Tuning

You can see this “tuning” in people’s posture. People who are happy, healthy and confident tend to hold their head up in an upright posture. Whereas people who are ill, sad or defeated typically have a hunched-over posture with their heads held down. For many, this “minor” tuning has now become the norm, as people and their children hold themselves in this posture as they spend time on their devices.

Try it for yourself. Deliberately put yourself in a hunched-over, “depressed” posture or “tuning.” How does that feel? Did the corners of your mouth drop into a frown? Did your breathing get shallow? This is the “tuning” of dis-ease — a “minor chord.”

Now, lift up your spine and head and bring your shoulders back in an upright position. Did I just hear you take a deep breath?! How does that feel? This is the “tuning” of ease, health and well-being — a “Major Chord!”

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So, the degree of tension and stress in our body is of utmost importance in our aim to be healthy and have optimal well-being. This is why chiropractic care is so important, especially NetworkSpinal Chiropractic. By keeping your spine and nervous system properly tuned, you are guaranteed a healthier life and well-being!

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