Understanding Nervous System-Centered Chiropractic Care
Chronic headaches are one of the most common concerns that bring people to chiropractic care. Many have tried traditional approaches—focusing on neck alignment, muscle tension, and posture—and while these treatments often provide temporary relief, the symptoms frequently return.
"I'm tired of feeling like I'm managing symptoms instead of actually getting better," is something I hear regularly in my Pleasant Hill practice. "Is there a different way to approach this?"
This conversation reflects a growing understanding that many health concerns—from chronic pain to sleep issues to stress-related symptoms—are actually nervous system challenges in disguise.
As a nervous system chiropractor, I work differently from traditional approaches. Instead of focusing primarily on moving bones or relaxing muscles, I'm interested in how your nervous system is coordinating everything in your body and how we can support it to function more efficiently.
What Is a Nervous System Chiropractor?
A nervous system chiropractor specializes in understanding the intricate relationship between spinal health and nervous system function. While all chiropractors work with the spine, those of us who focus specifically on nervous system integration bring additional training and perspective to this relationship.
Your nervous system is composed of your brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves that branch out to every cell, tissue, and organ in your body. This system doesn't just control movement—it coordinates:
• Heart rate and breathing patterns
• Digestive function and metabolism
• Immune system responses
• Sleep cycles and hormone production
• How you process and respond to stress
• Emotional regulation and mental clarity
• Pain perception and healing responses
When your nervous system is functioning optimally, these processes work together seamlessly.
However, when the system becomes dysregulated—often due to physical injuries, chronic stress, or accumulated tension patterns—symptoms can appear anywhere in the body.
Beyond Traditional Chiropractic Approaches
Traditional chiropractic care often focuses on structural alignment: identifying vertebrae that are "out of place" and adjusting them back into proper position. While this mechanical approach can certainly provide relief, it doesn't always address why those alignment issues occurred in the first place or why they keep returning.
Nervous system-centered chiropractic care takes a different approach. Rather than forcing structural changes, we help your nervous system develop healthier patterns of organization and response. When your nervous system learns to coordinate more efficiently, structural improvements often occur naturally and tend to be more stable over time.
The Science Behind Nervous System-Centered Care
Recent neuroscience research has revolutionized our understanding of how the brain and nervous system adapt and heal. Concepts like neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to form new neural pathways throughout life—have significant implications for chiropractic care.
Neuroplasticity and Spinal Health
Every time you receive a gentle spinal adjustment, you're providing new sensory information to your nervous system. This information travels through your spinal cord to your brain, where it's processed and integrated. Over time, these positive inputs can help your nervous system develop new patterns of coordination and response.
This is why many patients in my Pleasant Hill practice notice improvements that extend far beyond their original complaints. When your nervous system begins functioning more efficiently, the benefits often ripple throughout your entire body.
The Polyvagal Theory Connection
Dr. Stephen Porges' Polyvagal Theory provides another lens for understanding nervous system-centered chiropractic care. This research shows that our autonomic nervous system has three distinct states:
Social engagement (calm, connected, present)
Fight or flight (activated, stressed, defensive)
Freeze (withdrawn, shut down, disconnected)
Many health issues arise when we become stuck in fight-or-flight or freeze states. Gentle spinal care can help shift your nervous system back toward social engagement, where healing and growth naturally occur.
Conditions That Respond Well to Nervous System-Centered Care
While I never claim to treat specific medical conditions, I regularly see improvements in symptoms that reflect nervous system dysregulation. Pleasant Hill patients often seek this approach for:
Stress-Related Symptoms
Chronic tension headaches and migraines
Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
Digestive issues without clear medical cause
Feeling anxious or overwhelmed
Fatigue despite adequate rest
Pain Patterns
Lower back pain that returns despite treatment
Neck and shoulder tension
Jaw tension and TMJ symptoms
Chronic pain conditions
Recurring injuries in the same area
Life Transition Support
Pregnancy and postpartum recovery
High-stress work periods
Grief and emotional processing
Recovery from illness or injury
Aging and maintaining vitality
Family Wellness
Children with attention or behavioral challenges
Babies with feeding or sleeping difficulties
Teenagers managing academic stress
Adults supporting elderly parents
My Approach: Bio-Geometric Integration
As a Bio-Geometric Integration practitioner serving Pleasant Hill and the greater Bay Area, I use specific principles developed by Dr. Sue Brown, DC. This approach recognizes that your body has an innate geometric structure and that, when properly supported, it knows how to heal and reorganize itself.
How Bio-Geometric Integration Works
BGI understands that subluxations—areas where your body's optimal function is interfered with—aren't just about bones being "out of place." They're patterns of stored energy from experiences your body couldn't fully process at the time they occurred. This could be physical stress from an injury, emotional stress from a difficult life event, or chemical stress from environmental factors.
During a BGI session, I use light contacts at specific points along your spine and body. These contacts provide information to your nervous system about areas where tension or stress may be stored. Rather than forcing change through manipulation, I'm essentially asking your nervous system: "Are you aware of what's happening here?"
Your body's responses to these contacts can vary widely:
• Some people experience gentle waves of movement
• Others notice changes in breathing patterns
• Many feel areas of tension beginning to soften and release
• Some experience emotional releases as stored stress moves through their system
Understanding the Body's Geometry
One of the things that makes BGI distinct is its recognition that your body has underlying geometric patterns—think of it as the blueprint for how energy and information flow through your system. When stress overwhelms your capacity to process it in the moment, it distorts these geometric patterns, creating areas of tension, restriction, or disconnection.
BGI recognizes four primary geometric relationships in the body:
Posterior Geometry (Back of Body):
Represents your physical structure, foundation, and posture—how you literally "stand" in the world.
Anterior Geometry (Front of Body):
Relates to your organs, emotions, and flow—how you process experiences internally.
Sagittal Plane (Connecting Front and Back):
Represents the body-mind relationship and how you relate to others and your environment.
Coronal Plane (Spinal Curves):
Reflects how you hold yourself and your relationship between self and world.
Understanding these geometric relationships allows me to assess and prioritize which subluxation patterns are ready to be addressed, creating maximum opportunity for self-healing.
What to Expect During Your First Visit
Walking into any new healthcare provider's office can feel vulnerable, especially when you're not feeling your best. At Life Force Chiropractic in Pleasant Hill, I've designed the experience to feel more like visiting a trusted friend than undergoing a medical procedure.
Initial Consultation and Assessment
Your first visit begins with a comprehensive conversation about your health history, current concerns, and wellness goals. I want to understand not just where you're experiencing discomfort, but how that's affecting your daily life, your relationships, and your ability to show up fully for the things you care about.
The physical assessment is equally gentle. I'll observe how you move, check your posture and breathing patterns, and palpate your spine to understand how your nervous system is currently functioning. Using the lens of BGI, I'm also assessing the geometric patterns in your body—looking at how your structure reveals where energy might be stuck or unable to flow freely.
There's no twisting into uncomfortable positions or aggressive manipulation—just careful attention to what your body is communicating.
Your Treatment Plan
Based on what I discover during your assessment, we'll create a treatment plan that makes sense for your life. Because BGI recognizes that your body releases patterns in a specific order—always addressing what's most ready to shift—your care will be customized not just to your overall condition, but to what your system needs in each moment.
This individualized approach means:
• Regular gentle adjustments using Bio-Geometric Integration principles
• Lifestyle recommendations to support your nervous system health
• Integration with other wellness practices you might already use
• Guidance on simple practices you can do at home between sessions
What Makes Pleasant Hill an Ideal Location for Nervous System Work
Pleasant Hill's location in the heart of the Bay Area creates unique opportunities and challenges for nervous system health. The innovation and forward-thinking culture here means people are often open to holistic approaches that address root causes rather than just symptoms.
However, Bay Area living also comes with specific stressors:
Fast-paced work environments, especially in tech
Long commutes and traffic-related stress
High cost of living creating financial pressure
Information overload and decision fatigue
Environmental factors like air quality and noise
Creating Resilience in a High-Stress Environment
Rather than trying to eliminate stress entirely—which isn't realistic in our dynamic region—nervous system-centered care helps you develop greater resilience. This means:
Recovering more quickly from stressful situations
Maintaining clarity and perspective during challenging times
Having more energy available for the things you care about
Feeling more connected to your body's wisdom and needs
The Family-Centered Approach
One of the things I love about serving families in Pleasant Hill is the opportunity to support nervous system health across all ages and life stages. When family members experience greater nervous system coherence, it positively impacts the entire family dynamic.
Pregnancy and Birth Preparation
Pregnancy is a time of tremendous nervous system adaptation. Gentle chiropractic care during pregnancy supports:
Optimal pelvic alignment for comfortable pregnancy and birth
Nervous system adaptability during rapid physical changes
Stress management during this transformative time
Preparation for the physical demands of labor and delivery
Gentle techniques help ensure optimal nervous system communication throughout your body during this crucial time.
Infants and Children
Babies and children respond beautifully to gentle nervous system care. The birth process, while natural, is physically intensive for babies. Gentle adjustments can help their nervous systems integrate this experience and develop optimal patterns from the beginning.
Children who receive regular nervous system care often show improvements in:
• Sleep quality and duration
• Digestive function and comfort
• Emotional regulation and behavior
• Immune system function
• Focus and learning capacity
Supporting Teenagers
The teenage years bring tremendous physical, emotional, and social changes. Nervous system-centered care can provide stability and support during this crucial developmental period.
Many teenagers find that regular care helps them:
• Manage academic and social stress more effectively
• Maintain physical comfort during growth spurts
• Develop healthy stress management patterns
• Build resilience for adult challenges
Integration with Other Wellness Practices
Pleasant Hill residents often maintain active wellness routines that may include yoga, meditation, counseling, massage, or other holistic practices. Nervous system-centered chiropractic care enhances these other investments rather than competing with them.
Complementary Modalities
When your nervous system is functioning more efficiently, you typically get more benefit from:
Meditation and mindfulness practices
Yoga and movement therapies
Counseling and psychotherapy
Massage and bodywork
Functional medicine approaches
Energy healing modalities
Lifestyle Factors That Support Nervous System Health
Between appointments, there are simple ways to support the nervous system work we're doing together:
Nutrition: Foods that support nervous system health include:
Omega-3 rich foods like wild-caught fish and walnuts
Magnesium-rich foods like leafy greens and dark chocolate
Probiotic-rich foods that support the gut-brain connection
Adequate hydration with clean, filtered water
Movement: Gentle, mindful movement supports nervous system integration:
Walking in nature (Pleasant Hill has beautiful parks and trails)
Stretching and yoga
Swimming and water activities
Dancing and free-form movement
Sleep: Quality sleep is essential for nervous system health:
Consistent sleep and wake times
Creating a calming bedtime routine
Limiting screen time before bed
Ensuring your sleep environment supports rest
Stress Management: Developing healthy stress management practices:
Regular breathing exercises
Meditation or prayer practices
Time in nature
Creative expression
Meaningful social connections
Measuring Progress: What to Expect
Progress in nervous system-centered care often unfolds differently than with traditional medical or even chiropractic approaches. Rather than focusing solely on symptom reduction, we're interested in how your overall capacity for health and resilience is developing.
Tracking Changes
I provide my Pleasant Hill patients with assessment tools to track changes in:
• Physical comfort and pain levels
• Sleep quality and energy
• Stress resilience and emotional balance
• Life satisfaction and sense of purpose
• Relationship quality and communication
• Overall sense of vitality and wellbeing
The Timeline of Healing
Every person's healing journey is unique, but there are some general patterns I've observed over years of practice:
First Month: Most people notice some immediate changes—better sleep, reduced tension, or increased energy. Your nervous system begins to recognize that change is possible.
2-3 Months: Deeper patterns start to shift. You might notice that you react differently to stress, recover more quickly from challenges, or feel more present in your daily life.
6+ Months: At this stage, many people experience what I call "integrated wellness"—a sense that the changes have become stable and sustainable. You're not just feeling better; you're living differently.
Taking the Next Step
If you're ready to explore how nervous system-centered chiropractic care might support your wellbeing, I encourage you to trust that instinct. Your body has an innate wisdom about what it needs to heal and thrive.
This approach might resonate with you if:
• You're tired of approaches that only address symptoms
• You want to understand and work with your body's natural healing capacity
• You're interested in developing greater awareness of your internal state
• You value working with practitioners who see you as a whole person
• You're ready to invest in long-term wellness and resilience
Starting Your Journey
The first step is simply reaching out. You can contact Life Force Chiropractic through our website or call the office to schedule an initial consultation. During this visit, we'll explore your health history, discuss your goals, and determine whether nervous system-centered care aligns with what you're seeking.
I also encourage you to follow along on social media, where I regularly share insights about nervous system health, gentle healing approaches, and the philosophy behind this work. You'll get a sense of my approach and whether it feels like a good fit for you.
Remember, choosing to prioritize your nervous system health isn't just about feeling better in your body—though that's certainly wonderful when it happens. It's about developing the internal resources to show up more fully for your life, your relationships, and your purpose in the world.
Your nervous system has been waiting patiently for you to listen. This work simply provides a supportive environment for that conversation to deepen and flourish.
Ready to explore nervous system-centered chiropractic care in Pleasant Hill?
Contact Life Force Chiropractic to schedule your initial consultation and begin your journey toward greater health, resilience, and vitality.
About Dr. Alandi Stec
Dr. Alandi Stec is a Doctor of Chiropractic and Reiki Master serving the Pleasant Hill and greater Bay Area community. She specializes in gentle, nervous system-centered approaches to health and wellness, combining Bio-Geometric Integration with craniosacral work and energy healing to help individuals and families discover their body's innate capacity for healing and growth.