Cerebrospinal Fluid and Brain Health
What is Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)?
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear, colourless, watery fluid that flows in and around your brain and spinal cord. Your brain and spinal cord make up your central nervous system. This is the most vital system in the body as it controls and coordinates everything single function in your body, including your ability to move, breathe, see, think… everything. CSF acts like a cushion that helps protect your brain and spinal cord from sudden impact or injury. It keeps the brain buoyant within the skull. The fluid also removes waste products from the brain and helps your central nervous system work properly.
CSF is made up of water, proteins, ions, neurotransmitters, and glucose, and is produced within the brain in what is known as the ventricular system. This system lies deep in the brain and is made up of several chambers called ventricles. From here the flow of CSF circulates around the brain and between the layers of the spinal cord.
CSF, the Brain and Chiropractic
The essential job of the cerebrospinal fluid is to maintain the proper function on the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS is highly active and generates waste products which need to be drained away. The flow of CSF allows for these waste products to be cleared away from the brain via veins and lymphatic vessels.
Diseases of the central nervous system have been linked with alterations in CSF flow and production. In particular dementia, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis. Changes in CSF flow have also been identified in cases of concussion and post concussion syndrome. On clinical imaging it has been noted pooling on areas of the brain which may lead to delayed recovery post head injury.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic care can benefit nervous system function through multiple different mechanisms one of which is having a positive influence of cerebrospinal fluid flow. The integrity of the upper cervical spine can play a role in the flow of CSF around the brain. When the upper cervical vertebrae misalign from their normal position it can cause a “choke point” which can alter the flow of cerebrospinal fluid moving between the brain and the spinal cord. If left unchecked, over time this has potential to cause issues in the CNS. If waste products are unable to be effectively drained from the brain this can have a detrimental effect on brain function. It may influence cognition and brain health.
If you are interested in maintaining the health and function of your nervous system or if you have a issue which you think may be related to issues with cerebrospinal fluid flow, why not book a call with one of our Chiropractors and find out if Upper Cervical Chiropractic care is right for you.
References
Learn More About Chiropractic!
Migraines - here
Cervicogenic Headaches - here
Child Speech Delay - here
Meniere’s Disease - here
Brain Fog - here
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJD) - here
Whiplash and Whiplash-Associated Disorder - here
Concussion and Post-Concussion Syndrome - here
Long Covid - here
Parkinson’s Disease – here
Tinnitus - here
Dystonia - here
Craniocervical (Upper Cervical) Instability - here
Dizziness - here
Epilepsy - here
Ear Problems - here
Dysautonomia - here
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) - here
Mental Health Issues - here
Seizures - here
Cluster Headaches - here
Bells Palsy - here
Multiple Sclerosis - here
Trigeminal Neuralgia - here
CSF Flow - here
Vagus Nerve - here
Chiropractic Philosophy - here
Digital Content and the Brain - here
