5 Gifts of the Spine: Network Spinal Analysis: Family Network Chiropractic
“5 Gifts of the Spine: Network Spinal Analysis: Family Network Chiropractic”
If you look at the structure of the body in terms of protection, the spine and brain protect the most important system – our nervous system.
Our nervous system is responsible for the function of every joint, muscle and organ in our body. The shape, tone and position of our nervous system determines every thought, feeling and action we take.
Dr. Donnie Epstein titles the 5 gifts of the spine as:
- Function
- Emotion
- Self
- Behavior
- Consciousness
Our nervous system is the first system to develop in utero and as we progress through infancy and childhood to adulthood, our nervous system continues to develop. If all of the 5 steps (5 Gifts of the Spine) are fully experienced our potential is unlimited.
For many, some of the steps are not fully experienced, which then causes challenges and pain later in life.
The 5 gifts of the Spine are essential to healthy expression. But if we can add being conscious of how we express each gift, then a whole cornucopia of opportunity opens up.
Function
Self-healing, muscle contraction, organ function, hormone balance
“I’m alive and all my parts work”
Your spine and nervous system are essential to all the vital functions of your body, automatically and unconsciously coordinating functions such as breathing, heart-rate, blood pressure, digestion, walking, co-ordination and so much more. We often only notice there is a problem with function when we lose it.
Emotion
The ability to express a full range of emotions, to access emotion to create change
“I like these feelings but not those ones”
Emotions are feelings and sensations that move through the body or awareness of how we respond or react to situations. Our emotions are key to the actions we do or don’t take in life. Emotion requires motion, so when “frozen in space or time” we are often unable to feel enough pain or desire to take appropriate action.
Sense of Self
Feeling confident, what it means to ‘be yourself’
“What does it take to be who I think I am?”
How we posture or hold our body says so much about whom we feel we are. We posture differently when we connect with different aspects of our self.
Behavior
Negative habits such as smoking, diet or alcohol, daily routines and rituals
“I’m way more than I thought I was. What else can I do?”
Your nervous system and spine co-ordinates how we move, what we do, the actions we take either consciously or sub-consciously in life. Strongly related to our sense of self, what actions you take profoundly reflect your experience of life.
Consciousness
Being self-aware, being present, living joyfully, contribution to others
“I’ve focused on me long enough. How can I serve others more?”
We are sentient beings. Through the function of your spine and nervous system you experience your life. Increasing consciousness and awareness will influence how much you live life or life lives you.
