MHM Magazine

30 | MENTALHEALTHMATTERS | Issue 5 | 2021 MHM In 17 years of clinical practice, I have experienced the mind-body connec- tion in great detail and in a variety of diverse symptom presentations. For most clinicians such as myself it has led to much uncertainty and difficul- ty in taking care of these patients, because although we know it exists, no one likes to discuss it openly. As a result of this I’ve found the knowledge base on this topic that should help the clinician to succeed is not freely available. This article is to present my clinical model of the mind-body connection (based on empirical evidence) that has given me a simple platform to discuss with patients and help them deal with the undeniable fact that their body (each cell in the body) is impacted by and can hold on to their emotions. Let’s discuss some fundamentals: 1. There are an unknown number of neurotransmitters but more than 40 are known currently and we have some understanding of their effects. 2. Each neurotransmitter has a spe- cific chemical composition. 3. There is a varied concentration of neurotransmitter being released at various times and from varied parts of the body every day 4. The nervous system is a melt- ing pot of all of these different neurotransmitters that contribute to the characteristics of the flow information to all parts of the body 5. The characteristics of information depending on the ratios between the neurotransmitters at any given moment will have either a positive effect on the body part(s) or a negative one; either inhibiting or facilitating 6. The ratios of current circulating neurotransmitters will be in- fluenced by the limbic system which adds value to the sensory information, dictates the charac- teristics of behaviour/response and this forms the emotional tags to your current state 7. You may not be able to describe the emotion you feel - however your neurotransmitter ratios are aroused accordingly to your emo- tions and will have an effect on specific parts of your body based on the emotions you’re feeling 8. Therefore your cells are influ- enced by your emotions! All hands-on practitioners; chiropractors, physiotherapists, massage therapists etc., are intimately aware of the subtle shifts and changes in the body from a tone point of view. When I discuss tone, I’m referring to the length-tension ratios of the myofascial system of the body and how this leads to distortion patterns from toes to nose. However, there’s something more to the description of tone - that is the autonomic nervous system’s influence of tone. When the limbic system adds value By Dr Travis Mitchell Chiropractor Johannesburg doctravis@aspirehappyness.co.za THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION