Coherence in Living Systems: and what it means for your life and health

NetworkSpinal is a systems-theory based analysis of the spine and it’s components and subsystems; with the ultimate end goal of establishing more coherence in the system. The word coherence is showing up a lot, lately, in popular culture. I want to describe it here in two distinct contexts, and subsequently explain why both definitions are essential in your understanding of how healthy, connected nervous systems relate to health outcomes. 

Your body is of course designed to work together as one whole unit. The cardiovascular system wouldn’t function on it’s own without the immune system, digestive system, or skeletal system… or without any of the other essential subsystems of the whole organism. We know this inherently. Yet healthcare these days is often broken down into specialities, and in some regards, the way these specialties often work, the specialists aren’t seeing the other parts or subsystems. While this is sometimes necessary, to take a reductionistic look at one part, we’re going to do the opposite here. We are going to pan out and look at the nervous system as a whole; at the functioning of the whole body and person from a top-down view. 

The nervous system (brain, spinal cord, highway of nerves, and neurotransmitters) controls and coordinates all body functions. This is basic physiology. What’s not conventionally talked about is the state of the nervous system, dictates the state of one’s health expression. A healthy, connected, well-coordinated nervous system creates more coherence in the living system; meaning: it allows the whole of the system to function as greater than just being the sum of it’s parts. A coherent nervous system, has enough life energy and is self-organizing at a level that actually creates a new level of health. 

This is opposite the reductionistic way that modern healthcare looks at the body: in parts. Both are valuable and necessary, and: I have a bias towards full-body and full nervous system coherence. When our nervous system is coordinating body functions at a better level than it did before, it has far-reaching impact on all aspects of your life and health: you get sick less often; when you are sick, you recover faster; your relationships improve; your mood and energy levels improve or level out (fewer wild ups and downs); you feel more grounded in your body; your posture becomes more self-correcting, as your brain learns more about what ease feels like (without so much tension all the time); you may even sleep better and experience less pain, less often. 

NetworkSpinal chiropractic care, and chiropractic care in general, helps the body know itself. Which in turn helps the person know him- or herself. When you have systems coherence- or physiological coherence- it leads to you also having personal or internal coherence. The two are inextricably related. 

When you have systems coherence- or physiological coherence- it leads to you also having personal or internal coherence. The two are inextricably related. 

The 2nd definition of coherence I want to mention here is personal coherence. This is where- when your body is functioning better- it’s like you can feel how all the parts are online, and there is peace in your body. Your life is better aligned with who you are. There is not major tension pulling you in some direction or some relationship that doesn’t match your essence. Your thoughts, your emotions, and your relationships flow. This is what I call psycho-social health. Internal health. And it comes from having a healthy spine. 

In modern life we all live with tensions, stress, and obligations. Nobody escapes this. But you can cultivate the best life possible for yourself by keeping your spine and nervous system aligned and functioning at its best. Doing so will improve not only your physical health, but your  internal state of health, or what is otherwise referred to as, your quality of life. Health goes beyond just the physical expression of health. Our mental-emotional state plays a big part in our physical health expression. Having internal coherence, or satisfaction within your own self, is one of the most unexpected outcomes and ultimately biggest reasons people seek regular  NetworkSpinal care. Because keeping the spine clear, helps them stay on their own personal path of evolution. The way I see it, and the way I have experienced that for myself, you can’t put a price on that!

If this resonates with you, and you're curious about how to develop more coherence in your own body and self — we are currently accepting new clients and would love to meet you!